The Butlers x Muroki Autumn Express Tour
Written by Hannah Powell. Images by Raf Wetere and Cam Hay.
About to embark on their Autumn Express tour, Yo Vocal had a quick chat with Muroki and George Berry, The Butlers drummer. We talked about the tour, their latest tunes, and what show they’re most looking forward to.
Low Strung and Village Sounds presents The Butlers & Muroki Autumn Express Tour, coming to your town this May and June. Stopping off in Tauranga, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Raglan, this is one show not to miss.
Joining forces on a co-headline tour, both agree that it’s better together. “We both have bands, and we both have shit to play,” George Berry from The Butlers says.
Having just released the single ‘I Ain’t Running’, The Butlers will be serving up further fresh tunes cooked up in their Sumner digs. With a few more tracks than anticipated, George tells me what the band has been up to as of late. Planning to release an EP by the time of the tour, The Butlers scrapped that for something even better.
“We started writing more songs and realised we wanted to get back to the sound we were making really early on.” In the last few weeks, they’ve written eight songs and recorded five demos for the upcoming release.
“It’s a pretty classic Butlers deciding last minute to change things,” George laughs.
Raglan solo artist Muroki will be joining The Butlers on tour, excited to play his repertoire of rhythmic grooves. Having released his first solo EP ‘DAWN’, a month before the tour, attendees will be treated to a performance of songs new and old. “I’m pretty excited to share it live – it’s kind of meant for that, I feel,” he says. Bringing a band of four instead of six, Muroki tells me he’s going to be a lot busier on the guitar. Signed to Benee’s label Olive Music and featuring on her latest album ‘Hey u x’, Muroki is one to watch this year with his soulful voice and groovy, upbeat tunes.
Muroki and George tell me they’re both most excited for their Wellington show. “Last time I played there, it was fucking crazy, so I’m really excited,” Muroki says. Considering The Butlers last show up there ended in a groover dislocating their knee in the excitement, there’s no doubt it will be a wild night at San Fran on the 27 May.
Grab your tickets quick-smart, and jump aboard the Autumn Express. With tickets sure to fly out the door, secure your seat now. It’ll be one hell of a good trip.
Tickets available from Under The Radar. Mount tickets available through totarastreet.co.nz.