John Butler Returns with New Album & Australian Tour Dates

News

27 Sept

Still Searching marks John Butler’s second album this year following the May release of Running River.

It’s a big day for John Butler fans, with the guitar virtuoso revealing he has a new album on the horizon. Still Searching is an instrumental record and a return to Butler’s busking roots.

Arriving November 1 (pre-order/pre-save here), the album is Butler’s second for 2024, following the release of Running River in May.

Speaking on the album, Butler says: “These stringed things made from wood, metal and hide are dear friends. They help me communicate things I would never have found words for. They help heal me and allow me to have a dialect in which to converse with the divine. So of course the conversation continues. The title of this album eludes to just that. I’m still exploring. Still wandering and wondering. Still obsessed and ravenous for new tunings, techniques and textures. Still Searching…”

Butler has also shared the first single from Still Searching, the contemplative ‘Banjo Loop’. A music video shot by Nick McKinlay and directed by Butler features the guitarist plucking his six-string in various locations around Fremantle in tribute to the city that shaped him. You can watch the music video below.

If that’s not enough, Butler has also announced a run of shows across Australia throughout November. Butler will be accompanied by former John Butler Trio member Michael Barker and percussionist Michael Boase.

The trio have confirmed six shows beginning in Canberra at The Playhouse on Saturday, November 2. Then it’s off to Sydney’s City Recital Hall on Monday, November 4 before shows at Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Tuesday, November 5, Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall on Wednesday, November 6 and Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on Thursday, November 7. The final concert takes place at Perth’s Octagon Theatre on Thursday, November 14.

Fans can secure tickets for all shows on sale Tuesday, October 1 at 9:30am local time via www.johnbutlertrio.com.

Still Searching is the second album in Butler’s ‘Four Season’ cycle of albums. The collection of albums came about after Butler experienced somewhat of an existential crisis, using music as a way to heal, as demonstrated by the first album in the series, Running River. The second stage of the cycle is Still Searching, an album about new beginnings, and will be followed by a third solo album in 2025 before the final album featuring Butler with a new band.

Catch John Butler at Hindley Street Music Hall on Wednesday, November 6. For full ticketing information visit www.johnbutlertrio.com.