Nicky Bomba has left the John Butler Trio to concentrate on the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
Nicky developed The Melbourne Ska project as a side-project and the success of that band now warrants his full time attention. The decision was mutual and amicable. After-all, Nicky is John’s brother-in-law. John is married to Nicky’s sister, singer/songwriter Mama Kin.
“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,” John Butler said in a statement. “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”.
Nicky said, “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 will tour the Melbourne Ska Orchestra in September and October.
Dates are:
September 12, Brisbane, BIGSOUND
September 21, Adelaide, The Gov
September 27, Fremantle, Fly By Night
September 28, Perth, Astor Theatre
September 29, Wave Rock Weekender, WA
October 5, Caloundra Music Festival, Kings Beach
November 9, Sydney, Factory Theatre
November 23, Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
November 14-17, AWME, Melbourne
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