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“We Australians Are Far Away from War” | Interview with John Butler (without the Trio)
His seventh studio album, “Home”, was released in September. Was it produced in the open air? Unfortunately, it wasn’t. And then there’s another question to answer: why are we speaking in the singular about the John Butler Trio in this introduction? Does John have multiple personalities? Just read the conversation with him. By the way, there’s something to celebrate.
Butler likes to keep things fresh. Not cold cuts from the deli, but the air. Butler, first name John: he likes camping. We would too, if we, like him, had been born in California and lived in Australia. Furthermore, John Butler was previously a busker before becoming known in the folk-pop and rock scene with his band, accompanied by funk influences and a positive attitude. He probably still calls the outdoors his home. But as you know: we don’t like to speculate. We prove it.
A Butler Rarely Comes Alone
20 years of the John Butler Trio! Congratulations! Why is the “Trio aspect” so important to you? After all, over the years you’ve had several changes in the line-up.
Good question! I did think about performing just as John Butler this time. The question is, does that make much sense when we’ve always performed as a Trio? Next time, there’ll actually be four of us. So then we’d be the John Butler Quartet.
It’s about the balance between your own vision and what the people around you want to do. – John Butler
A vicious circle. Let’s talk instead about your role as the namesake and bandleader. What do you like about this role and what don’t you?
Oh God. Challenges aren’t always easy or enjoyable, but sometimes they bring out the best in me. Okay, sometimes they bring out the worst in me too. But you know, it helps me improve my social skills. *laughs* But obviously, in this position, I get to make the music I want to make. But of course, it’s also very satisfying to share music with amazing musicians. That’s honestly a really cool thing. But the role of being the bandleader, the boss and the songwriter, it can be pretty tough sometimes. But challenges are a good thing, too.
Body + Soul = John
Did you have to learn to be a good bandleader?
Especially as someone who wants to lead something or people, you can always keep improving. There’s a very thin line between executing the things you want to do and following your own vision. It’s about the balance between your own vision and what the others around you want to do.
Let’s talk about your current album. What meaning do you attribute to the title ‘Home’? Is it a place? People you love? Or perhaps your existence in the band?
It’s a lot of different things. It’s definitely a place, the land I identify with. Not because of the nation, but just the land where I feel something special. But it’s also my family and my friends. Naturally, also the body and soul, which at the moment are called John, male, white and Australian. But those are just words and descriptions. When I die, who knows what will come then? I don’t know what will happen to me next. But I’ll probably still be called John.
Everyone Just Wants One Thing
Your song “Home” sounds quite up-to-date. I’d say it’s untypical, if you listen to your other tracks.
Perhaps for outsiders, yes, but in the last five years I’ve produced a lot of music in this direction. ‘Home’ was one of the better songs that came out of that. *laughs* It was just one that told a story.
You travel all over the world with your music. How has your view of the world and its people changed?
The more I travel, the more I see and the more open I become. But at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. We love our families, our children. We want peace, transparency, security. We want to stick around. But in other ways, we’re certainly very different. I think you Europeans have this constant reminder of war. We here in Australia are pretty cut off from war and the idea of war and really have no clue about that part of world history. So every time I went to Europe, it was pretty educational for me. I’ve been thinking about society for a while, especially when comparing American and Australian culture.
A Butler Likes to Serve Folk
Last question. What do you think of Germany and German culture?
I love playing music here. You’ve got rhythm. And I like how honest you are. You don’t talk so much bullshit. We have an amazing and open fan base in Germany, who really appreciate us.
Thank you for the conversation.
Photo: © Promo / Because Music