A punchy New Zealand crew that I once saw fill Shepherds Bush Empire in London, the fluid guitar workouts they spun up reminded me spiritually if not vocally of the late Richie Havens. New album and tour details are through…

Award-winning band, the John Butler Trio will release their forthcoming studio album ‘HOME’ on Friday 28th September 2018 via Because Music. Title track ‘Home’ (out now) captures the emotional and sonic landscape that would become the bedrock of this album.

While continuing to create as a trio, the album ‘HOME’ was largely recorded and produced in a more solo format with long-time friend and producer Jan Skubiszewski and reflects the deeply personal, critical yet redemptive nature of the inner and outer worlds Butler was experiencing and observing during this latest chapter of his life.

“I’ve been dealing with anxiety on and off for ages. I hadn’t always been able to name it. It was in this fractured state that I started trying to wrangle this new mob of songs – wild horses I’d met over the last four years. Songs about family life, love, what it means to be a modern man and personal insights into dealing with my anxious projections. Songs have always been my friends. No matter what I’m going through they help me convey the things my heart feels but my brain is too afraid to say. But grappling with this herd in this state would prove uniquely tricky. As things turned out that journey would actually be critical in helping me deal with my shit. In the meantime though, I was lost and somehow I had to find my way home. There was no choice. Like that classic children’s book, ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’ says; “Can’t go under it. Can’t go over it. Can’t go around it. MUST go through it,” says Butler.

Whilst exploring this inner world Butler also traverses new sonic territory, amalgamating his love of electronic and hip hop production with the folk and country instrumentation and song writing traditions that he has for so long been inspired by.

“Throughout the years that it took to make this album, there were tears and frustration, confusion and chaos. But there was also family and friends, honesty and vulnerability, gardens and harvest, service and surrender. And in amongst it all, ultimately, there was joy,” says Butler. Adding, “It turns out that breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs if you’re willing to get under the hood and get your hands dirty.”

2018 also sees the expansion of the live Trio to a five-piece, in the form of JOHN BUTLER TRIO +. After a successful tour of Australia showcasing the new live format, European audiences will be treated to a bigger and more dynamic live show with additional percussion and keys, capturing tunes from the new album as well as reinventing classics such as ‘Betterman’, ‘Zebra’ and ‘What You Want’.

‘Home’ Album Tracklisiting:

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

You can watch the official lyric video for ‘Home’ in this article.

Pete Sargeant