Latest news with #JohnButlerTrio
Ottawa Citizen
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Bluesfest a 'very big deal' for local bands. Here's how they get the gig
Article content The British-born musician known as D.B. Cohen used to daydream about playing Bluesfest when he saw how the festival took over the entire city for days at a time. Article content 'I've seen the big crowds and thought what a wonderful experience to be able to play it,' said Cohen, who's been a resident of the Ottawa area for almost a decade. 'It's the marquis event of Ottawa, and I remember going there the first time thinking, 'Wouldn't it be nice to be up there,' and kind of daydream about it. Article content Article content 'Eight or nine years later, lo and behold, here we are,' he added, pointing to his slot at this year's edition of Ottawa's biggest summer music festival, which runs July 10-20 on the grounds of LeBreton Flats Park. Article content Article content The singer-songwriter-guitarist brings his ska-blues band, the Revelers, to the festival's River stage on opening night as part of a bill with folk-rock catalyst Father John Misty and Australia's Melbourne Ska Orchestra, led by Nicky Bomba, former drummer of the John Butler Trio. Article content 'I follow all of those as a fan, and to see them doing sell-out tours around America and Canada, you think 'OK, this is this is the benchmark,' ' Cohen said. 'It's a step up in the game, and I think the bands are reacting to that as well.' Article content His Ottawa band members have plenty of Bluesfest experience, but it's a first for the 45-year-old bandleader. 'It's a very big deal,' he said. 'It's the biggest show I've played since I came to Canada. My 10-year-old daughter will be in attendance.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Cohen is one of about a dozen acts based in Ottawa-Gatineau selected to play Bluesfest in 2025. Others include soulful singer-songwriter Claude Munson, bilingual chanteuse Kristine St-Pierre, pop-punk rockers We Were Sharks, bluesman J.W.-Jones, funksters Funk Yo Self and the harmonious West Quebec faves, Leverage For Mountains. Article content The number represents a decline in local representation that began in 2018, when organizers decided to cast a wider net. Instead of drawing acts within a 100-km zone of Parliament Hill, they changed the parameters to encourage indie bands from a broader region, ranging from Ottawa to Montreal to Toronto, and as far north as Sault. Ste Marie and Maniwaki, Que. Article content
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
John Butler Announces Two NZ Dates
Chart-topping alternative singer-songwriter John Butler today announces his long-awaited return to New Zealand – his first band shows in nearly a decade – performing two intimate club shows at Meow Nui, Wellington and Powerstation, Auckland in September. John reunites on PRISM tour with his first ever touring drummer, NZ legend Michael Barker. The concerts coincide with the release of his deeply personal new studio album 'PRISM' on 5 September. Butler said, 'I am really looking forward to returning to New Zealand with the band for the Prism album launch. Loving playing with Ian Peres, Michael Boase and reuniting with Michael Barker on the drums. We've been having such a great time bringing these new songs to life on stage and the older songs are sounding BETTER THAN ever. Sorry couldn't help myself!' Significantly, 'PRISM' marks a formal departure from the John Butler Trio moniker. It's an album that is contemplative and explosive, joyous and free, funk-filled, cinematic and unapologetic, with singles 'Trippin On You' and 'So Sorry' already released. 'PRISM' is Season Three of Butler's Four Season roll-out – following Season One's album of meditations ('Running River') and Season Two's fully instrumental album ('Still Searching'). Butler, who featured in the 2024 Symphony at the Auckland Domain, is widely celebrated for his epic guitar instrumentals and pedal board wizardry. The New Zealand dates follow an extensive two-month North American summer tour, with Dispatch, Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love & Special Sauce and Illiterate Light, including shows in Nashville, Red Rocks, NYC's Rooftop at Pier 17, Ravinia and more. Wed 24 September Meow Nui, Wellington Thurs 25 September Powerstation, Auckland
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Butler Returns With New Solo Album ‘PRISM'
John Butler is stepping into a bold new era. The ARIA Award-winning musician has officially announced his tenth studio album, PRISM, which is set to arrive Sept. 5. The announcement lands alongside the release of the album's second single, 'So Sorry,' out today (May 28). More from Billboard Shaun Cassidy Gets Ready for the Longest Tour of His 45-Year Career: 'I Felt the Need to Connect with People' 'Luther' Ties 'Not Like Us' for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart Bono Cheekily Weighs in On Springsteen Vs. Trump Squabble: 'There's Only One Boss in America' Marking a significant shift away from the John Butler Trio moniker, PRISM was recorded entirely solo with producer James Ireland (POND, San Cisco), who co-handled instrumentation and production duties. 'It's a big life and the world, in many ways, is in turmoil. Personally, I did a lot of soul-searching and reflecting as this record took shape,' Butler shared in a statement. 'For me, PRISM is a cathartic release, a celebration of going solo, moving away from the John Butler Trio moniker, and yet another sonic stretch as I continue to refine my musical journey. The title reflects the sonic and emotional 'bandwidth' I wanted to explore: the whole spectrum of what it is to be human. Love, death, politics, inner and outer turmoil and redemption.' Butler added, 'On the deeply reflective single, 'So Sorry,' Butler explores the long shadows cast by enduring relationships. 'You get together as 'kids' and if you're lucky, you learn how to regulate and become adults together. But no one gets out unscathed.' PRISM is part three in Butler's ambitious Four Seasons project, following 2024's Running River (an ambient meditation album) and Still Searching (an all-instrumental LP). Described as both 'contemplative and explosive,' the upcoming release promises an eclectic blend of festival-ready anthems, groove-heavy rock, and soul-searching ballads. Butler performed at Bluesfest earlier this year and is set to kick off a major U.S. tour across June, July and August, with Australian headline dates to be announced soon. One of Australia's most successful independent artists, Butler's accolades include multiple platinum records, ARIA Awards, and several No. 1 albums on the ARIA Albums Chart. His 2018 LP HOME debuted at No. 1 and saw him experiment with expanded instrumentation and electronic textures, paving the way for PRISM's continued sonic evolution. PRISM arrives Sept. 5 and is available for pre-save and pre-order now. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
