PREPARE FOR A DASHING DOSE OF SUMMER VIBES TO YOUR SENSES AS DIVINE KIWI INDIE ROCKERS THE BUTLERS GEAR UP TO TOUR DOWN UNDER NEXT WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.
Unleashing their self-titled debut album earlier this year, the lovable boys from Sumner in Christchurch have rapidly swept audiences into a frenzy around the long white cloud of late. Balancing their casually assured surfy tones and groovin' energy across a series of live shows in their homeland, The Butlers have grown from strength to strength in 2019 - and now they're coming in hot with a series of shows lined up on the East Coast kicking off next week.
Fittingly, the Aussie shows will throw down at some particularly coastal areas (which may or may not be a strategic way to sneak in some winter surfing between gigs) and before they hit our shores next week we grabbed drummer George Berry to quickly grab a bit of insider info on the upcoming tour (plus some tips for those hoping to catch the eye of frontman Bradley King).
TIANA SPETER: The Butlers have just announced their first ever Australian tour - what are you all most excited about for this upcoming tour? And is there anything on your bucket lists you’re hoping to check off while you’re here?
GEORGE BERRY: We're just super excited to be playing outside of New Zealand to a new crowd. It's been a long time coming, and we're stoked it's finally come to fruition. We're all very excited to be mishing it up the East Coast in a van, getting some sun on the skin and most importantly, going to Movie World.
TIANA: And what can us Aussies expect from a live The Butlers show?
GEORGE: All in all, just an epic night that'll leave you stoked you took the time to buy a ticket. We've put together an epic set list for the tour with new material and old. Hopefully people are going to work the next day spreading the good news!
TIANA: You’ve had a pretty busy 12 months, you’ve been gigging pretty solidly back home in New Zealand and you’ve had your debut album out this year as well. How has the reaction been to the new material in a live setting?
GEORGE: Luckily we were able to play that new material pretty solidly for about three or four months on our last tour, so in that time we've been able to figure out what songs work best in a live setting, and all in all what songs need bits added to them in front of an audience!
TIANA: Are there any particular songs from the new album that you’ve all especially loved playing live lately?
GEORGE: They're all super fun to play to be honest, one that I guess stands out is 'Vodka's What You're Drinking.' We leave Jordy on stage on his own to perform this one until the whole band comes in. It's just a cool element to the live show which many don't see coming, with Jordy and Walt switching instruments for it and Jordy singing lead vocals too.
TIANA: Since you’re about to hop on the road down under, what’s your one must-have essential item to bring with you to keep you sane when you’re touring?
GEORGE: Apart from our instruments, probably some swimming/ surfing stuff.
TIANA: You guys have mentioned previously that the tour was decided over a hearty gin and milk on an overcast day in Sumner to go somewhere sunny. Will you be partaking of a gin and milk while on tour, or should we perhaps create a “The Butlers Aussie Cocktail” in honour of the debut tour? I’m open to suggestions….
GEORGE: To be honest, I'm not sure whether Gin and Milk will be drunk, we've probably had enough of that for a wee while now hahaha. A new cocktail you say? It has to be 'The Mal' named after our sexy (and single) lead guitarist, Bradley King. Just throw in some spiced rum, whiskey, maybe some gin, and some Coke or something weird all together with some weird spice like Cinnamon and we've got a winner.
CATCH THE BOYS FROM THE BUTLERS LIVE IN ACTION WHEN THEY HEAD TO AUSTRALIA NEXT WEEK - FOR TICKET INFO OR GENERAL FACEBOOK STALKING, HEAD HERE.
VODKA'S WHAT YOU'RE DRINKING (THE BUTLERS)
BY TIANA SPETER