SXSW 2005 Showcasing Artists
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John Butler Trio
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Sunrise Over Sea may be the John Butler Trio's American major label debut, but it's hardly your typical introduction to a new artist. The album’s mesmerizing 13 tracks deliver a perfect, eclectic blend of blues, reggae, classic country, Appalachian folk, funk, rock and hip-hop beats into a form and style that ultimately can only be classified as... well, the John Butler Trio. But the real truth is that Sunrise Over Sea isn't actually a debut album at all. John Butler is already something of a musical phenomenon in Australia where this -- and three previous albums -- have taken him to the top of the charts and made him one of the biggest concert draws and THE most successful independent musician on that continent.
John began developing a fan base via busking – and the street gigs evolved into bar and club dates. After forming the first version of the John Butler Trio, John released an eponymous self-funded debut album, twice sold-out a 300-seat local club for the launch… and has never looked back. The band then released an EP featuring several songs time-friendly enough to get them airplay on Australian national radio. The trio was soon touring the continent constantly – and by the time they released their second album, Three, the band was playing large theaters throughout Australia. The independently released album soon went platinum. Their incredible live performances were documented on a 2003 live album, Living 2002-2003, but after several years of nonstop touring, John decided to disband the original trio, taking six months off while his new wife gave birth to a baby girl. During this “recharging”, John wrote most of the music that would become Sunrise Over Sea. After forming a new version of the John Butler Trio they entered Woodstock Studios in Melbourne to create the album, which would debut at No. 1 on the Aussie charts, a first for an independently released, produced and funded artist. The album went double-platinum in ten weeks, and ended up winning “Best Male Artist,” “Best Indie Release,” and “Best Blues & Roots Album” at the Australian ARIA Awards. At the 2004 APRA Awards (Australia’s version of the ASCAP/BMI Awards), the John Butler Trio’s “Zebra” was voted Song Of The Year, once again setting a precedent for an independent artist. Most recently it has been voted by the Australian public to the No.2 spot on their influential “Album of the Year” 2004 national poll. The band toured America several times over the years. Although they turned down offers from various U.S. labels, hoping they could perhaps make it independently in the States as well, John finally signed with Lava Records following a second acclaimed appearance at the South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas last year. The decision ultimately came after Lava agreed to give John the same type of artistic and business freedom he’s enjoyed thus far in his career. # # # For more information, contact Lava Records Publicity: Lisbeth Cassaday / 212-707-2074 lisbeth.cassaday@lavarecords.com Amy DeRouen / 212-707-2553 amy.derouen@lavarecords.com |
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