|
Ten years ago in 1998 John Butler was busking on the streets of Fremantle, West Australia. 3500 selffunded cassette sales served as the foundation for becoming Australia's most successful independent artist ever. Fast Forward to 2008 and his label Jarrah Records has now been responsible for 800,000 CD sales in Australia.
Their latest release Grand National has received international acclaim since its release last year. The Washington Post praises its "sauntering boogies with an affinity for hip-hop beat" and the Rolling Stone says "Melody, Subtlety, Authenticity. Sophistication... Butler at his brand new best, blending his influences into a sound that is all his own....a hip shaking rollicking good-time album, proof that John Butler is ready to take things to that next level"
First single Better Than held the top spot on the USA Triple A radio charts this year.
Last year the trio won 2 ARIA awards for their album Grand National; "Best Independent Release" "Best Blues and Roots Release" and received top voting of the evening for their performance of "Funky Tonight", with a special guest appearance by Keith Urban.
Butler owns and operates his own record label- Jarrah Records- which has released John Butler Trio's last three studio albums and two live albums and his first selftitled album. 2003's Sunrise Over Sea was the first independently released album to reach number one in Australia, and, like Grand National, went on to enjoy multi-platinum success. Home to other artists such as The Waifs, Jarrah Records continues to pave the way for independent artists in Australia.
Butler is also receiving recognition for his innovative arts grant fund, called JB Seed, which he oversees with his partner Daniella Caruana. Financed by donations from various sources, the JB Seed distributes over $100,000 in grants and funding each year to as many as 30 artists seeking financial assistance to help them realize their artistic aspirations.
Additionally, JB Seed hosts a management workshop that brings together music industry newcomers and established veterans. Rolling Stone says, &8220;JB Seed looks to give other people the resources and confidence they need to get out there and do their thing.; For more information, visit www.thejbseed.com.
JBT have taken their music to the world and continue to grow in stature and popularity in USA, Europe and Japan. They have become favourites at iconic festivals such as Fuji Rock Festival, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Big Day Out, and Coachella where Bruce Fessier of USA Today said "John Butler revealed himself to be arguably the finest guitarist at Coachella Festival"..........
The John Butler Trio are thrilled to be touring USA with G Love and The Special Sauce this summer and to be hitting many European festivals this July. |
