In a personal statement to fans over the weekend, John Butler & Nicky Bomba announced the departure of Bomba from the John Butler Trio. Nicky’s involvement with his many successful projects, particularly the rise of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, is the reason behind the change. Nicky and John both agreed on the focusing of energies as a positive step forward.
In May this year the Melbourne Ska Orchestra embarked on their first debut album tour, selling out venues in Sydney (The Metro), Melbourne (Forum) & Brisbane (The Tivoli) .The response was overwhelming, and the self-titled album gained rave reviews and radio support nationally.
To celebrate this new chapter, the band has just released a new single ‘THE DIPLOMAT’ from their acclaimed self-titled debut album. (A timely title given the election frenzy!). Setting out on tour in September, the 30-piece ramshackle juggernaut that is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra will hit BigSound (Brisbane), Adelaide, Fremantle & Perth, followed up by a host of festivals and a Sydney date in November.
The announcement seems to have received the respectful blessings of many fans with an understanding of John and Nicky’s long association.
It is evident the respect is high between the two, Butler stating:
Nicky has been a part of the Trio in some way or another in different forms over the past 10 years, and somehow I think he will always be some kind of thread in the weave that we are. We are blood and soul music brothers. But Nicky is a front man through and through, and over the last few years watching his amazing Melbourne Ska Orchestra go from strength to strength and the opportunities for this grand dream of his open up wider and wider I had to ask him, and myself; is now a good time for him to ride that horse while she’s heading for a full gallop? Seeing him play to a sold out Metro City gig in Sydney a few months ago made my heart full and happy. It felt and looked “right”. It is an amazing time in Nicky’s world as all his stars are aligning for his own project, and I honour that path completely and am so happy to watch my brother shine. John Butler
Nicky Bomba stated:
As a songwriter and performer in my own right, the time felt right to hop back on my own ship to nurture the stories I’ve created. Along with my other projects, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra has gathered some steam of late and the stretching of energies and clashing of dates meant something had to give. John and I understood the scenario and like seasoned travellers at a crossroad, we both happily agreed on this GPS recalculation! Nicky Bomba
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Melbourne Ska Orchestra present “THE DIPLOMAT TOUR”
Saturday 21st Sep
The Gov, Adelaide SA
59 Port Rd HINDMARSH
W/ BABYLON BURNING & DJS Kilmarnock Steve & Old Skool Andy
Tickets $35 + bf from , www.oztix.com.au & www.moshtix.com.au
Friday 27th Sep
Fly By Night, Fremantle WA
Parry St, FREMANTLE
W/ BELEZA & DJ DAN GROK
Tickets $35 + bf from www.flybynight.org
Doors open 8pm
Saturday 28th Sep
Astor Theatre, Perth WA
659 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, PERTH
W/ MOD SQUAD & DJ DAN GROK
Tickets $35 + bf from the venue, www.showticketing.com.au & (08) 9370 5888
18+ unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Doors open 7.30pm
Sunday 29th Sep
Wave Rock Weekender, WA
For all ticketing and bill info go to www.soulhighway.com.au
Saturday 9th Nov
Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW
www.factorytheatre.com.au
105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, SYDNEY
Tickets $30 + bf from www.ticketek.com.au
Doors open 8pm
ALSO PLAYING:
Thursday 12th Sep
BIGSOUND, Brisbane
For all details go to: www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound/2013/
Saturday 5th Oct
Caloundra Music Festival
Kings Beach, CALOUNDRA
with Boy and Bear, Xavier Rudd, Katchafire, The Basics + many more
For all ticketing and line up info go to www.caloundramusicfestival.com
Saturday 23rd Nov
Queenscliff Music Festival
with The Living End, John Butler Trio, The Grates, Spiderbait + many more. For full line up and ticketing details go to www.qmf.net.au
14-17 November
AWME, Melbourne
For more information see: www.awme.com.au
THE NEW SINGLE “THE DIPLOMAT” IS OUT NOW
THE “MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA” ALBUM IS OUT NOW
AVAILABLE ON FOUR|FOUR / ABC
