Tag: John Butler Trio

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Start a “Revolution”

After the upbeat energy of “One Way Road” and “Close To You,” it’s great to see John Butler Trio switching gears on their latest single “Revolution.”

The track is the third to come from JBT’s amazing album April Uprising. The song is perhaps one of the band’s most powerful, and its black and white film clip is just as striking. The video, which depicts the diversity of contemporary society, was shot while the band was on tour in Los Angeles.

Now you could just appreciate the song and video for what it is, but I thought I’d also share with you John Butler’s own words about the track’s inspiration. It’s a long quote, much longer than the ones I tend to use on here, but I thought it was just so cool it needed to be here in its entirety.

“Revolution is such an overused impotent word nowadays, I just wanted to explore the subject and find out what it meant to me. We live in some pretty extreme times .I think a lot of people are considering living in a drastically different way on this planet and with each other. They have to. But the old ideas of reform and revolution are not applicable nor have many “revolutions” really ever brought about meaningful change before they turn into what they were fighting. My idea of revolution is basically taking the R off the word. It’s evolution. It’s not gonna be some fanciful day that comes where everything is going honky dory utopia. That’s bullshit and a practise in futility. You can’t stop evolution. It’s sometimes painfully slow and other times brutally quick but never the less it is on-going.  You can rev it up however; accelerate it from time to time by being engaged in your community, by being compassionate. I see that around me. That’s what I concentrate on when I’m being bombarded by the intense images and news of these times. Stay engaged but not inundated. By knowing that the revolution is underway and not some fantasy about to come I’m able to have the energy and optimism to keep being part of this eternal, unstoppable REVOLUTION.”

Hell yeah. If you’re digging on “Revolution” and the rest of “April Uprising,” remember it’s not too late to nab tickets to the John Butler Trio shows next month. They’re selling fast though, so be quick! The band are headed back overseas after these gigs, so we probably won’t see them for some time afterwards!

27 August 2010 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
29 August 2010 – The Amphitheater, Darwin
31 August 2010 – Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide
2 September 2010 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
3 September 2010 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
5 September 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
7 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
8 September 2010 – C.ex, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2010 – Reggaetown Festival @ Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns
12 September 2010 – Union of Soul @ Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
15 September 2010 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
17 September 2010 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – Schweppes Centre, Bendigo
19 September 2010 – Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
21 September 2010 – Entertainment Convention Centre, Mackay
22 September 2010 – The Great Western, Rockhampton
23 September 2010 – The Riverstage, Brisbane
24 September 2010 – The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
27 September 2010 – The Mangrove Resort Hotel, Broome

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Announces April Uprising Tour

John Butler Trio are bringing their number one album April Uprising home with a national tour this August and September.

We’re sure to see a slick show, with the band spending the past few months playing concerts and promotional dates around the world. JBT just completed a sell-out tour of Europe and the United Kingdom, and have now commenced a run of dates in the United States. They’re also playing summer festivals in Canada, Europe, and Japan.

Local urban roots outfit Blue King Brown will support The John Butler Trio for all local shows except Broome. The tour will be completely carbon neutral, with the band reinvesting their carbon emissions into renewable energy projects. You can help assist the efforts by purchasing a green ticket for an extra 50c. This money will be donated to renewable energy projects, thereby neutralizing your travel emissions to the gig. The April Uprising tour will also support The Wilderness Society, The Australian Conservation Foundation, and Oxfam’s Close the Gap campaign.

Get your tickets from May 31 from the venues and regular ticket outlets.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2010 - Day 2


27 August 2010 – Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
31 August 2010 – Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide
2 September 2010 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
3 September 2010 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
5 September 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
7 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
8 September 2010 – C.ex, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2010 – Reggaetown Festival @ Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns
12 September 2010 – Union of Soul @ Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
15 September 2010 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
17 September 2010 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – Schweppes Centre, Bendigo
21 September 2010 – Entertainment Convention Centre, Mackay
22 September 2010 – The Great Western, Rockhampton
23 September 2010 – The Riverstage, Brisbane
24 September 2010 – The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
27 September 2010 – The Mangrove Resort Hotel, Broome

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brian McFadden Tops Singles Charts

Just as I was bemoaning the lack of Aussie talent on the singles chart comes the number one debut of Brian McFadden’s newie “Just Say So.” I know he was born in Ireland and all that, but now that he’s living here and marrying our Delta we’ve adopted him right? At any rate, Brian’s new tune is the only local release in the top 30, so I think it’s something to be celebrated.

Maria Sharapova Open's TAG Heuer Melbourne

While the Aussies have finally bowed to the pressure of Lady Gaga’s Fame Monster, they still have a strong presence in the album charts. John Butler Trio is breathing down Gaga’s neck with April Uprising, which holds steady at number two this week. Gyroscope enjoyed a great first week with Cohesion, which comes in at number three. And after five weeks on the charts, Angus & Julia Stone are still going strong with Down the Way, which sits at number 8.

Click below to see all the ARIA chart action!

Continue reading “Brian McFadden Tops Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Take ARIA Album Top Spot

The brand new week sees another Aussie act sitting on top of the ARIA album charts. John Butler Trio have ended the reign of Angus & Julie Stone with the release of their new album April Uprising.

Angus & Julie Stone haven’t slipped too far though. Their latest album Down the Way is in third position, just below Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster.

It’s disappointing to see that there’s still no local talent in the top 10 singles charts though. With Gabriella Cilmi’s single “On a Mission” slipping three places to 19th spot this week, that’s not likely to change any time soon!

Click below to see this week’s chart action!

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2010 - Day 2


Continue reading “John Butler Trio Take ARIA Album Top Spot” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blog Action Day: Aussie Songs for Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day, a day when bloggers all around the globe unite to raise awareness of topical issues and inspire change. This year we’re talking about climate change. I was appalled recently to hear that studies say Australians are becoming less concerned about this big issue. So while much has been written about the environment in the recent past, perhaps this day is more important than ever. I don’t think preaching about the importance of reducing your carbon footprint and being green ever works. Instead, I’ll let the words of some of Australia’s most powerful environmental songs do the talking for me.

“Warakurna” didn’t make the chart splash that many of Midnight Oil’s songs did, but I think that makes it impact all the more profound. I encourage you to listen to the lyrics, ones that many of you may not have heard before. I get a chill every time I hear the words “This land must change or land must burn.”

It might not be apparent at first, but “Treat Yo Mama” by John Butler Trio isn’t encouraging us to mind our manners around dear old mum. Instead it’s a plea to treat Mama Nature with all the respect she so rightly deserves.

Here’s something a little more mainstream to finish up on. Crowded House were really ahead of their time when it came to local bands singing about our impact on the world. With “Weather With You” the band told us very simply that no matter what we’re doing, we’re having a profound effect on the environment around us. It’s definitely something to think about!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussies Line Up For Coachella

Coachella is one of the biggest music festivals in America, and this year five Aussie artists are gracing the bill.

Melbourne acts Architecture in Helsinki, Midnight Juggernauts, and Cut Copy will join Adelaide’s Sia and the mighty John Butler Trio. They’ll share the bill with major international artists including Prince, Jack Johnson, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, and Portishead. Should be some show!

Coachella plays at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California from April 25 to 27.

Image source: Leena Hernesniemi @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Veronicas Hook Number One Spot

Aussie poppettes The Veronicas have earned their first number one single this week. Their catchy electronic track “Hook Me Up” climbed three places to take out the top spot on the ARIA charts.

But they couldn’t topple country rock veterans The Eagles, who remain at the top of the album charts with their latest effort, Long Road Out of Eden. The Veronicas’ new album, also called Hook Me Up, is sitting pretty at number two.

It was another strong week for local lass Delta Goodrem whose single “In This Life” is currently sitting at number five on the singles charts. Her new album Delta is at number three.

David Campbell is back doing what he does best with The Swing Sessions 2. The classic covers album debuted at number eight on the album charts, just ahead of fellow Aussies Sneaky Sound System and The John Butler Trio.

Click below to see the complete Australian top 10.

Australian Singles Chart

  1. “Hook Me Up” – The Veronicas
  2. “The Way I Are” – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
  3. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
  4. “Beautiful Girls” – Sean Kingston
  5. “In This Life” – Delta
  6. “Into The Night” – Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
  7. “Gimme More” – Britney
  8. “How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox Twenty
  9. “Apologise” – Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
  10. “Stronger” – Kanye West

Australian Albums Chart

  1. Long Road Out Of Eden – Eagles
  2. Hook Me Up – The Veronicas
  3. Delta – Delta Goodrem
  4. Blackout – Britney Spears
  5. Future (sex/love) Sounds – Justin Timberlake
  6. Timbaland Presents: Shock Value – Timbaland
  7. Exile On Mainstream – Matchbox Twenty
  8. The Swing Sessions 2 – David Campbell
  9. Sneaky Sound System – Sneaky Sound System
  10. Grand National – The John Butler Trio

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Artists Climbing The Charts

A diverse range of Australian artists have made their mark on the ARIA charts this week.

Fergie may have kept her stranglehold on the singles chart with her mammoth hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” but she’s faced stiff competition from Shannon Noll. His new single “Loud” has debuted at number three.

Fellow Australian Idol graduate Ricki-Lee has slipped two places with “Can’t Touch It,” but the pop smash is still sitting pretty at number seven.

Jetsetting folksters The Waifs have debuted at number two with their latest album, Sun Dirt Water. But they couldn’t shift the might of British opera star Paul Potts, who holds the number one spot for the second week with One Chance.

The Waifs have pushed Damien Leith’s album Where We Land to number four. The John Butler Trio’s Grand National and Powderfinger’s Dream Days at the Hotel Existence round out the top ten. They’re holding steady at ninth and tenth spot.