John Butler Trio

Alt-rock singer-songwriter John Butler started out performing on the streets of Fremantle, Western Australia, before starting the rootsy John Butler Trio jam band in 1998. ∙ Their 2001 album, Three, stayed on the Australian alternative charts for nine months, ultimately reaching No. 3, and was the group’s first US release. ∙ Since 2002, the band has released albums on the Jarrah Records label, cofounded by Butler and Australian folk-rock group The Waifs. ∙ Beginning with 2004’s multi-Platinum Sunrise Over Sea, four of the group’s five studio albums have topped the Australian charts. ∙ Shortly after releasing the funky 2004 folk ditty “Zebra,” they became the first independent act to win the APRA Song of the Year, Australia’s top music industry award. ∙ Butler went to Bulgaria to explore his roots on the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are, and he reflected on the experience on the group’s 2010 album, April Uprising. ∙ Flesh & Blood, their Gold-selling sixth studio album, won the 2014 Australian Recording Industry Association Award for Best Blues and Roots Album.