NEW YORK, NY (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) - Atlantic/Jarrah has announced the upcoming release of "GRAND NATIONAL," the much-anticipated new album from the John Butler Trio. The album -- which follows the genre-defying Australian combo's 2005 breakthrough, "SUNRISE OVER SEA" -- arrives in stores on March 27th.
The John Butler Trio will herald the release of "GRAND NATIONAL" with a series of special U.S. concert dates, beginning February 26th at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe (see attached itinerary). Tickets for these shows will be available only as an exclusive ticket/album pre-order bundle through the band's website at www.JohnButlerTrio.com, with all buyers receiving a copy of "GRAND NATIONAL" along with an exclusive, limited edition tour poster.
Co-produced by Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys, Beck, Jack Johnson, Super Furry Animals) and John Butler, "GRAND NATIONAL" sees the John Butler Trio further opening its already wide-ranging sonic playbook, offering surprising new points of entry for newcomers, as well as inviting its legion of established fans deeper into its worldly vision. Centered around Butler's virtuoso guitar stylings and powerful, progressive lyricism, tracks such as "Funky Tonight" and the laidback lead track, "Better Than," draw upon a remarkable variety of musical genres, spanning folk, blues, funk, classic rock 'n' roll, and beyond. Joining the Trio on this extraordinary journey is an array of special guests, including Butler's partner, Danielle Caruana, Vika and Linda Bull, and on keyboards, the one-and-only Money Mark Nishita.
Having already established himself as a major artist in his native Australia, Butler and his band made their initial North American impact with 2002's independently released "THREE." The group soon signed with Lava/Atlantic, which released "SUNRISE OVER SEA" in March 2005. The album drew critical acclaim for its expansive artistic fervor, as did the JBT's inspired and energetic live shows, including headline dates, tours alongside Dave Matthews Band, festival appearances at Bonnaroo and the celebrated New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and a landmark television performance on CBS-TV's "Late Show with David Letterman."
In the JBT's home country, "SUNRISE OVER SEA" proved nothing less than a phenomenon, achieving 5x-platinum certification and earning Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards for "Best Independent Release" and "Best Blues & Roots Album," with Butler named "Best Male Artist." In addition, the album's hit single, "Zebra," was named "Song of the Year" by the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA).
The John Butler Trio is: guitarist/vocalist John Butler, bassist Shannon Birchall and percussionist Michael Barker.
THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO: North American Tour - February/March 2007
FEBRUARY
26 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
27 San Francisco, CA Cafe du Nord
MARCH
1 Seattle, WA Triple Door
2 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
3 Boston, MA Great Scott
5 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live
6 New York, NY Hiro Ballroom
