The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series
Featuring John Butler Trio Performing “Gonna Be A Long Time”WATCH VIDEO NOW
The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series: From Conception to Creation
The vision of the Pier’s “Live Acoustic Series” is to provide reggae-rock fans with an intimate, stripped down acoustic experience featuring the genre’s most recognizable bands, along with some new faces. The concept is simple. First, get the genre’s best talent to play an acoustic version of a new or unreleased song. Second, create a production concept that is visually appealing and recognizable. Third, record the band’s performing the song. While the concept is simple, the execution is much more difficult. The Series required the coming together of a video director, crew, sound, venue, equipment, The Pier’s network, and, the bands—all with a common vision. Ultimately, this concept aims to produce quality music videos that are unmatched by any other outlet dedicated to covering reggae-rock. The series debuted on Nov. 12, 2012 with Cas Haley’s debut performance of “Crazy Good Woman.” Since then, the Series has featured some of rock-reggae’s premier acts, including the Dirty Heads, The Green and Iration.
Next Up: John Butler Trio
The Pier is excited to feature the genre-blending and bending sounds of John Butler Trio. Comprised of leader singer-songwriter John Butler, bassist Byron Luiters and drummer/percussionist Grand Gerathy, JBT is the three-piece Australian powerhouse, known for killer guitar riffs and blends of roots-reggae, funk, blues and jam sounds. Since the release of JBT’s first album, Three in 2001, the band has been nominated and received numerous Australian Performing Right Association awards—including best independent release for Grand National in 
2007. JBT has toured the world, played with musical legends and headlined historic Red Rocks Ampitheatre several times.
The Shoot: “Gonna Be A Long Time” The addition of John Butler Trio to The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series is huge. For The Pier, it further legitimizes the Live Acoustic Series. On a personal level, I have been listening to JBT since 2001. I own every album, several limited edition vinyls and have met John a couple times. I’ve seen JBT perform in a record store, theatre and Red Rocks. I wouldn’t call myself a groupie, but you might.
I first heard John Butler Trio at the Gorge in 2001. He played sitting, similar to the great blues players, and created this unique, reverberating tone with his acoustic guitar. I’d never heard anything like it, and to this day there are copycats — but, no one can play guitar like John Butler. If you don’t believe me, just go Google his song “Ocean” and see for yourself.
The process to lockdown John Butler Trio wasn’t easy. JBT is a big band, with lots of layers, busy schedules and constant requests from media outlets. Without going into all the details, let’s just say that we didn’t give up. Ultimately, it was agreed that we would shoot the band’s warm-up show at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO — prior to their headlining show at Red Rocks the next night.
As we have come to expect from the big time bands, John and the guys walked onto set, tuned their instruments, checked levels and quickly laid down a solid track. They played “Gonna Be a Long Time,” from 2010’s April Uprising. JBT chose the song specifically for The Pier’s audience. Following the shoot John said, “You guys are a reggae outlet, so we played a reggae song.” It was great to hear that not only had the band checked out The Pier, they chose a song specifically for our fans.
A huge thank you goes out to the staff at the For Theatre, Red Light Management and the John Butler Trio team for making the video happen.
Director and Producer: Tage Plantell
The creative force behind the Live Acoustic Series is Denver-based Director/Producer/ Video Editor and musician Tage (pronounced Taw-Guh) Plantell. A graduate of the University of Colorado in Film Production, Plantell has been involved with film and music most of his life. He started as an eight-year-old, filming adventure movies with his brother and has since worked on everything from feature films, to commercials & 
corporate videos. In addition to working as a independent filmmaker, Plantell is an accomplished musician and songwriter. Prior to leading his current band Dusty Radio, Plantell was a member of “On Second Thought” and toured the country with bands like Vertical Horizon, Guster, Bob Schneider, The Samples and many others.
Plantell’s unique background as a director/producer and musician, bring together experiences that allow him to create professional music videos by seamlessly blending the two arts. “I’ve been a musician most of my life as well as a film-making enthusiast, so making music videos is a logical mix of my two loves in life,” says Plantell.
As a musician, Plantell has a unique perspective and understanding of music that most video directors don’t have. “Understanding things like song structure and music theory, from a musician’s point of view, really helps me shoot other musicians. I am able to predict their next moves during a shoot and gives me an acute sense of rhythm when editing in post-production,” says Plantell. Plantell’s experience on the stage, in the studio and behind the lens is sure to provide fans, and musicians alike, with a visual experience that is both unique and fitting for the Pier’s Live Acoustic Series.
The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series
Featuring John Butler Trio Performing “Gonna Be A Long Time”WATCH VIDEO NOW!
The Pier’s “Live Acoustic Series” Credits:
Director/Producer/Video Editor/Videographer: Tage Plantell
Production Manager: Kit Chalberg
Sound Engineer: Kyle Zender
Executive Producer: Mike Patti
Filmed On Location: Fox Theatre. Boulder, CO
www.SilverHalidePictures.com
Zendelicious Studios
Related Links:
JBT Website
JBT Facebook
Article By: Kit Chalberg
Video: Cas Haley – “Crazy Good Woman” (The Pier’s Live Acoustic Series Debut)
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