John Butler Trio

“I’m not one of those guys who can sing like a bird and play like a mofo. I’m not taking the piss here, what I mean to say is I’m not a virtuoso. I can do what I do well, but it takes me about 120 thousand percent effort just to play decently!” John laughed. As humble as pie, no wonder John Butler and the talented twosome that make up his trio are loved all over the world. In the first half of 2015 alone, the John Butler Trio will tour Australia, North America, Europe and the United Kingdom.
“I’d be very partial to smoking and ‘other things’ if I could, but I can’t when I’m on the road simply because it wrecks my voice – I can’t play under the influence of anything!”
“Don’t get me wrong, I like to party,” John added. “That’s why I picked musicians like Byron Luiters [bass] and Grant Gerathy [drums and percussion] – they’re amazing at their craft. With them it doesn’t need to be all work and no play,” John smiled. “However I’m very aware you need to be on your game at all times. Having grown up playing roots and folk festivals surrounded by the world’s best, putting in only 50 percent during a show is not in my best interest.”
With a career spanning almost two decades, the John Butler Trio can be found somewhere on the bill at every major Australian festival of the last 20 years. It’s not surprising however, that our very own Port Fairy Folk Festival holds a special place in his heart.
“The main difference between Port Fairy and others I’ve played is the calibre of artists – their song writing and musicianship is always second to none. This will be my third time there and I can’t wait. You know you’re going to see world-class acts. People who are masters in their field – if you can call anyone a master! . . .
“Port Fairy is a little town that has its own thing going on. The folk festival has stood the test of time, not by following any kind of fad or hype, just by offering the best possible experience. The organisers have created a vibe and a certain kind of culture,” he explained. “People love to be a part of something that’s established, to feel like – not only are they entering an idea – but a whole new world.”
John says he’s excited to see Sinead O’Connor and Buffy Sainte-Marie but also to share the spotlight with the mother of his children and wife, DanielleCaruana aka Mama Kin. “My partner Dan will be at Port Fairy too,” he says proudly. “She is part of We Two Thieves with Tin Pan Orange’s lead singer Emily Lubitz. It’s simply three voices and three musicians playing their instruments around a couple of mics, which is something I really like. They’re really old-school folk and it’s just gorgeous. I’ll definitely enjoy checking them out.”
The trio’s eclectic musical influences can be heard in their latest LP, the ARIA award-winning ‘Flesh and Blood’ (2014), although to my surprise John’s taste is more hard-core than you might expect. “I’m all over the joint when it comes to what I like to listen to. Tool, Black Sabbath and Soundgarden are in my collection for sure. Unfortunately I’ll be on the road when Soundgarden tour this month, but maybe next time . . . I do get out and about from time to time!” he chuckled. ROCK ON JOHN!
When&Where: Port Fairy Folk Festival – March 6, 7 & 9
By Natalie Rogers