Australia's John Butler Trio a Well-Kept Secret

The John Butler Trio has been Australia's best kept secret who can without a doubt now take the title of Australia's best export. After their first domestic release, 2004's EP What You Want, the band debuted in America with a multi-faceted 14 track set, Sunrise Over Sea, this past March.

The disc continues to sell strong at 43,000 since its release. Following the release, the John Butler Trio set out on tour. In June they opened for the Black Crowes and have five highly anticipated upcoming gigs with the Dave Matthews Band.

"I'm just an artist. I started out drawing and painting, which I still love. Then skateboarding then music. They're all creative expressions." said Butler. John began playing guitar at age 16 after his Grandmother gave the teen his deceased Grandfather's 1930 Dobro. "Talking with my Grandmother and playing guitar was how I got to know my Grandfather," said Butler. With his Grandfather acting as inspiration, Butler perfected his unique style.

In 1986 the Butler's relocated to Australia when John was 11 years old. "My Australian father wanted to move home after living in the US for 18 years," explained John. Even though he was not born Australian, Butler very much considers himself an Aussie and had an outsider's view of the US. "One as a native and one as an Australian, at least for the last 20 years, from the outside, politically, the US is a very in your face culture. But people wise, on a whole, the people are great. They are some of the most passionate and enthusiastic you'll ever meet," Says Butter.

The JBT began releasing CDs independently in 1996. At the turn of the century the group released �Three' on the Australian based label Jarrah to critical acclaim in his native country. Slowly import copies began appearing in the US giving the trio an underground following which gave them an excuse to tour far from home. Through constant touring and releasing three EP's, the band caught the attention of several labels and but ultimately they went with Lava.