Groovin' Right Along to John Butler
John Butler seemed right at home as he made his ROTHBURY debut on the Ranch Area stage late afternoon on Independence Day. Known widely for his finely sharpened acrylic nails (to allow for hybrid picking on his guitar and banjo) and being the lead of the jam band The John Butler Trio, Butler played a mostly solo set, tapping into his roots as a street busker.
Through his music, John has an innate ability to hold the crowd in the palms of his hands. His music ebbs and flows from airy melodies to fast jams. The controlled way he uses crescendo to take the audience right where he wants them, without going over the edge - until he's ready for them to leap - is a skill many of today's artists are lacking.
Butler's set alternated between songs filled with everyday, life lyrics and serendipitous instrumentals. Near the end of his set, Butler treated the Rothbury crowd to a new song, "Only One," and flocks of couples in love danced along, losing themselves in the moment. His music provides the soundtrack to any well-lived, thoughtful life.
Music wasn't the only treat being given away during Butler's set. Like all festival settings, where cheap food is in short supply, free samples of Clif Bars along with business cards with online links to free Butler tracks went over like smooth butter cream frosting on a chocolate cupcake.
Butler is a smart choice for Rothbury. John and his wife Danielle are "artist growers." Together in 2005, they launched the JB Seed grant program as a way to support artistic expression and help grow self-sustaining, independent artists in their native Australia. The five-year old foundation hands out charitable grants to extraordinarily talented, original artists who are in need of financial support.
The John Butler-ROTHBURY experience was well worth risking a farmer's tan. His set was a joy to take in, dance to, and sing along with. For the John Butler novice, get hip! He'll make a great addition to your "groovin'" playlist.
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