August 25th, 2017 /New York, NY USA: Whilst working on a new studio album due for release in early 2018, the John Butler Trio have released BULLY as a new stand-alone track. Available now on Soundcloud,  iTunes, and Spotify, the song is independently released on John Butler’s own label Jarrah Records.

Produced by Jan Skubiszewski and John Butler Trio, BULLY was recorded in 2016 at Jan’s Red Moon Studios in Victoria with fellow John Butler Trio musicians; Byron Luiters (bass) and Grant Gerathy (drums). Sensational backing vocals were provided by the extraordinary Australian vocalist Kira Puru.

“In the wake of the recent deplorable and gut wrenching event in Charlottesville, Virginia – USA and Australia’s impending bullshit plebiscite on gay marriage, it’s hard to write this without a heavy heart. Nevertheless, I want to explain where this song comes from.

Over the years of campaigning to protect pristine and sacred parts of our globe, I’ve witnessed two archetypes over and over again; The Bully and the Power of community. It’s always been the injustice inflicted by the Bully that’s incited me to stand up, and the strength of community that’s kept my faith in humanity.

BULLY is about the abuse of power. It’s about Governments, corporations and organizations who think they have the right to use violence and their powers of state against their own community; telling us how we should live, who we’re allowed to marry, whose lives matter and whose do not, how much racism is tolerable, what industries and private enterprises should be allowed on our land and how contaminated our water is allowed to be.

It’s about a BULLY mindset that is so greedy for more control, power and dominance that it’s willing to use violence against innocent citizens and in the process, killing the planet and life upon it, just to feed its veracious appetite.

This song is about good people all over the world, who believe in a fair, just and sustainable future, who are willing to stand together to protect what is most precious to them.”

The John Butler Trio are currently touring the USA on a 4-week headline tour with sold out shows in Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Asheville and more. They are also featured as a headliner at this year’s Lockn’ Festival, just outside of Charlottesville,  and Live on The Green in Nashville, TN. Please see below for all details.

John Butler is undeniably the most successful independent artist in Australia. His band, John Butler Trio have sold out a myriad of performances both at home and abroad over the years. John Butler has an impressive one million album sales to his name, has been the No. 1 most played artist on Australian radio and has been awarded numerous ARIA and APRA Song writing Awards. John Butler Trio are in constant demand, having developed an earnest reputation as one of the most vibrant live bands on the global music scene. Their recent ARIA award winning album, Flesh & Blood, was released globally in February 2014, followed by sold out tours in Australia, Europe & North America, and the band playing their largest ever headline ticketed show at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Colorado) in front of nearly 10,000 fans. The John Butler Trio captivate their beloved fans with their unique energetic style of blues and roots.

Tour Dates:

Aug 25 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Aug 26 – Arrington, VA – Oak Ridge Farm
Aug 27 – Asheville, NC – Highland Brewing Company
Aug 30 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia
Aug 31 – Nashville, TN – Live on the Green (FREE)
Sep 01 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Sep 02 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Blues and Heritage Festival
Sep 03 – Kansas City, MO – Crossroads KC
Sep 06 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Gardens
Sep 07 – Boise, ID – Egyptian Theatre
Sep 08 – Spokane, WA – Tinnabulation Festival
Sep 09 – Vancouver, Canada – Malkin Bowl
Sep 10 – Bend, OR – Athletic Club of Bend
Sep 12 – Medford, OR – Britt Music and Arts Festival