Jacob Butler

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jacob Butler
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jacob Butler
Born = birth date and age|1982|3|29
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Influences = Noel Gallagher, John Lennon,Snow Patrol
Genre = Alternative rock
Indie rock
Rock music
Instrument = vocals, Guitar, drums, Piano
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/betamaxtv Official Myspace]
[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melbourne-Australia/BETAMAX/7854457932 Official Facebook]

Jacob Butler (born 29 March 1982, Mt Gambier) is an Australian singer/song writer. He is known for competing in Australian Idol (season 5). Jacob is also the lead singer of the band, Betamax. Betamax also features Peter 'Reggie' Bowman - ARIA nominated producer and founding member of Southern Sons, and Darren Brollo, who was a founding member of Lo-Tel. Betamax are expected to release their debut album early in 2009.

Biography

Jacob was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia to parents, Cynthia and Baden. Jacob has two brothers, Brenton and Tegan and a sister.

Jacob has always been passionate about music, in his early days he preferred Van Halen and Def Leppard to the children's music that his friends were into. Jacob took up playing the piano at age eight, where he quickly discovered a knack for performing. He won third place at a local TAFE eistedford playing 'Ode To Joy' on the Clavinova.

When Butler was twelve he began playing the guitarand drums. At age sixteen, Butler became the drummer for an Alt Rock cover band, Bantha whilst completing high school in Port Lincoln. In his early twenties he fronted another cover band called, Single White Male. His original project from 2002-2005 was called Joncitizen, and some of their earlier work was produced by founding member of The Superjesus, Chris Tennant.

After finishing school Jacob started a Commerce degree, which he carried out for three weeks before leaving.

At nineteen, Jacob purchased land for the home, known as 'The B Hive' in the Adelaide Hills. He shared this house with his brother, Brenton for about three years.

In 2004, Jacob traveled overseas to Japan, the UK and Europe.

Jacob participated in the The X Factor (Australian TV series) in 2005. He made it to sixth place, where he quit before he could get eliminated by the Australian public. Jacob then moved to London. Here he picked up a management deal which he states "went pear".

In 2007, Jacob participated in Australian Idol. He made it to eighth place before he was eliminated.

"Australian Idol"

Butler first auditioned for "Australian Idol" in 2005. He failed to made it past the Top 100 Group Performances. Butler reached sixth place in the The X Factor (Australian TV series) in the same year.

Butler tried out for "Idol" again at the 2007 auditions, singing "Don't Look Back In Anger" by Oasis. The Judges were impressed by his improvement in both his songwriting and musicianship. He was soon placed into the Top 24. Australia made him their second top 12 finalist after his rendition of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars".

Jacob was eliminated on October 8, 2007. His last performance on "Idol" was on Brit Pop night. He performed The Beatles' "Let It Be".

Australian Idol performances

*Melbourne Auditions - "Don't Look Back In Anger" by Oasis
*Top 100 Acapella Performance - "Chocolate (Snow Patrol song)" by Snow Patrol
*Top 100 Group Performance - "Knowing Me, Knowing You" by ABBA
*Top 100 Solo Performance - "Across The Universe" by The Beatles
*Top 24: Semi-Finals (Group 1) - "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
*Top 12: Contestant's Choice - "When You Were Young" by The Killers
*Top 11: Rock Night - "Morning Glory" by Oasis - (Bottom 3)
*Top 10: Disco Hits - "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai
*Top 9: Acoustic - "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane (Bottom 2)
*Top 8: Brit pop - "Let It Be" by The Beatles (Eliminated)

Personal life

Jacob has dated Paula Lucarelli since 2006. The pair met on the set of The X Factor (Australian TV series) in 2005. Paula, 29, works as the national publicist for Neighbours.

References

* [http://www.australianidol.com.au/jacob-butler-profile.html Australian Idol profile]
* [http://www.atienmedia.com/xfactor/contestants.htm X-factor contestants]