Discovering the sanctuary within sound

Running the River

As the world around us churns with constant noise and unrest, it takes a tuneful escape to remind us of the quiet spaces within. That's precisely what John Butler offers in his latest ambient album, a creation that mirrors the tranquility and healing many of us are searching for. On today's episode of Running the River, we unravel John's personal narrative, a tale marked by goodbyes to old bandmates, the thrill of new collaborations, and a solo journey into music production that served as a lifeline through anxiety and testing family health crises. With his candid storytelling, John takes us behind the scenes of crafting an album that's as much about introspective solace as it is about the complex dance of change and growth in an artist's life.

In conversation with John Butler, we explore how the chaos of the pandemic has forced us all to pause, reassess, and sometimes, radically alter our courses. Music emerges as a beacon of healing, and John shares how this period of upheaval paved the way for his collaboration with James Ireland and the formation of a new band. These partnerships not only invigorated his creative spirit but also rooted his latest projects in the power of community. From the collective soul-searching ushered in by COVID-19 to the personal revolutions that reshape our paths, this episode is a tribute to the "great unveiling" of our times and the profound comfort we find in the shared human experiences of music, change, and regrowth.