New Austin project led by Joel Laviolette brings Zimbabwean Sungura & Chimurenga to the stage with electric guitars, mbira, and driving rhythms
Sahara Lounge will host the debut performance of Rattletree Electric, the newest project from longtime Austin-based world-music musician Joel Laviolette (The Rattletree School of Marimba, Rattletree, Kupira Marimba, Mafaro Marimba). Blending Zimbabwean-style Sungura and Chimurenga with a modern, high-energy live band format, Rattletree Electric features electric guitars, mbira, drums, bass, and vocals—a dance-forward sound rooted in interlocking grooves and cyclical melodies.
