From the rich, red earth of central Australia to the Pyramid Stage at another muddy Glastonbury Festival, John Butler Trio are constantly on the move, sharing their message and their music with the world.
Led by John Butler, an unshakable environmentalist, bandleader and roots master, alongside bassist Byron Luiters and percussionist Grant Gerathy, the group are part of the landscape in their native Australia, where they’ve collected multiple ARIAs, APRA Awards and chart crowns and are right at home playing the biggest festival stages in the land.
The trio’s next album, HOME, the follow-up to the ARIA Award-winning 2014 set Flesh & Blood, is due out Sept. 28 through Nettwerk Records. A major North American jaunt will follow in November and December, details of which Billboard can exclusively reveal, along with the exclusive first listen to the set’s title track. Stream “Home” below.
Butler is a road warrior. Battle hardened, but enlightened from decades on the go. It’s this unusual ride which gave life to the new project. “’Home’ is inspired by the amount of touring I’ve done over the years and the ironic duality of bringing your dreams to life whilst having to be away from those you love the most,” Butler tells Billboard.
The set was largely recorded and produced in solo format with Jan Skubiszewski, the multi-award-winning Australian producer, composer, and sound engineer. On it, Butler explores new channels of sound. The LP represents a “genuine creative leap,” say people close to the artist, with flourishes of electronic and hip-hop production and another dive into his deep well of folk and blues.
American audiences will get a taste of HOME when John Butler Trio hits the road for a 20-date tour, due to kick off Nov. 16 at Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. Check out the tracklist for HOME below and JBT’s U.S. and Canada tour dates.
“HOME” Track List:
1. Tahitian Blue
2. Wade in the Water
3. Just Call
4. Running Away
5. Home
6. Miss Your Love
7. Faith
8. Coffee, Methadone & Cigarettes
9. Tell Me Why
10. Brown Eyed Bird
11. You Don’t Have to Be Angry Anymore
12. We Want More
North American tour dates:
Nov. 16 — Washington D.C. @ Warner Theatre
?Nov. 17 — The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 20 — New York, NY @ The Beacon Theatre
Nov. 21 — Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 23 — Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
Nov. 24 — Ottawa, ON @ National Arts Centre
Nov. 25 — Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
Nov. 27 — Ann Arbor, MI Z@ Michigan Theater
Nov. 29 — Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Nov. 30 — Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
Dec. 1 — Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
Dec. 2 — The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
Dec. 4 — Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen
Dec. 5 — New Orleans, LA @ The Joy Theater
Dec. 7 — Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre
Dec. 8 — House of Blues, Houston, TX
Dec. 9 — House of Blues, Dallas, TX
Dec. 13 — Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
Dec. 14 — Los Angeles, CA @ Ace Hotel
Dec. 15 — Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater