There's a great scene in The Last Waltz – the documentary about The Band's final concert – where director Martin Scorsese is discussing music with drummer/singer/mandolin player Levon Helm. Helm says, "If it mixes with rhythm, and if it dances, then you've got a great combination of all those different kinds of music: country, bluegrass, blues music, show music…"

To which Scorsese, the inquisitive interviewer, asks, "What's it called, then?"

"Rock & roll!"

The contradictions in John Butler are evident, and, despite his magnificently successful career (with number one albums in Australia and sell-out tours) his is a troubled soul. One of the most successful recording artists Australia has ever produced and a musician whose reputation has begun to rock the waters of both Europe and America, Butler is nevertheless a man on the edge, poised like a beautiful suicide. Where will he go next? Up or down?

Formed from weekly shows at Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA, the Terrapin Family Band featuring Ross James, Grahame Lesh, Jason Crosby and Alex Koford, has become the venue's official house band.