Australian singer-songwriter John Butler's next album will see the acclaimed artist – who has won seven ARIA Awards – return to his busking roots.
Titled 'Still Searching', the record sees Butler reconnect with his collection of guitars for a set of instrumental pieces that communicate are rebirth after a somewhat existential crisis. With 'Still Searching' to be released 1 November, today Butler has shared album track and a music video for 'Banjo Loop' – a rootsy, alt. country number rich in emotion.
The alternative storyteller will headline intimate concerts in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth in November, playing 'Still Searching' in full alongside a selection of John Butler Trio favourites like 'Ocean'.
A six-time nominated Best Male Artist at the ARIA Awards, winning in 2004, Butler will be joined onstage by former JBT member Michael Barker (the first time John and Michael have shared a stage since the mid-2000s) and percussionist Michael Boase. This tour will be the first and only opportunities fans will have to hear these songs live.
"These stringed things made from wood, metal and hide are dear friends," John shares. "They help me communicate things I would never have found words for. They help heal me and allow me to have a dialect in which to converse with the divine.
"So of course the conversation continues. The title of this album eludes to just that. I'm still exploring. Still wandering and wondering. Still obsessed and ravenous for new tunings, techniques and textures. Still searching." Representing the middle of a cycle, 'Still Searching' is the second season in what Butler describes as 'Four Seasons'.
Collectively the 'Four Seasons' are four albums that evolved into Butler delving back into his origins in instrumental music; to heal during the first season (with the recently released 'Running River' ambient album), to begin again with the 'Still Searching' album, before going solo with the third album in 2025, and following that, to go full circle with a new band and new album. The process is like a rebirth for Butler.
Tickets on sale from 10am AEST on 1 October.
John Butler 2024 Tour Dates
Sat 2 Nov - The Playhouse (Canberra)Mon 4 Nov - City Recital Hall (Sydney)
Tue 5 Nov - The Tivoli (Brisbane)
Wed 6 Nov - Hindley Street Music Hall (Adelaide)
Thu 7 Nov - Anthenaeum Theatre (Melbourne)
Thu 14 Nov - Octagon Theatre (Perth)
