Lone Tree

Lone Tree is the rock band you’d least expect. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this group of 5 expat teens formed 6 years ago to create a high energy, powerful sound that is contemporary yet firmly rooted in their influences from rock, blues, funk, reggae, and the legacy of great, live music.

The band was originally named Refuge which represented what they are all about: escaping from shallow, inauthentic music. First meant as tongue and cheek, it came to symbolize their drive for social progress.

Lone Tree’s influences are broad and reflect their deep knowledge of music history across many genres. Major influences include the Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Gary Clark Jr., The Wailers, Xavier Rudd, Brittany Howard, Funkadelic, Sublime, Jethro Tull, Groundation, Fleetwood Mac and King Gizzard.

Although they’re expats living in Nairobi, Lone Tree considers itself a Kenyan band with roots around the world, including the U.S., Bolivia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, U.K. and Belgium. Their youth and diversity are unmissable – members have collectively lived in 10 countries and speak 6 languages. The vocalist and lead guitarist are also siblings.

Lone Tree started making waves in 2018 with the release of its first original song “Gone Astray” which debuted at #1 in the East African rock charts and held it for months. Multiple local and international TV, radio and online appearances quickly followed, drawing a steady demand for live performances.

The band plays 2-3 live gigs per month at top venues around Kenya, including opening for Sauti Sol, Fancy Fingers, Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Ferocious Dog and other popular African artists. In August 2019, Lone Tree played to an audience of 10,000 people at its first international gig, the Bautz Music Festival in Germany. Headliners included Nena, Dog Eat Dog and Any Given Day.

During Summer 2021, Lone Tree played its first U.S. gigs, including at Fantastic Negrito’s studio in Oakland and The Basement in Nashville for New Faces Night. The experience was incredible, and it taught them how much an American audience will love their music.

In 2019, the band recorded its first EP of 9 original songs under the old name Refuge. Three years later, the music has evolved dramatically. Since mid-2021, they have released four singles under the new name, Lone Tree, including “True Love”, “Wind Song”, “One Season”, and “Rude Bwoy”.

In January 2022, they recorded a 6-song EP titled Refuge in collaboration with Grammy-winning songwriter, Bensoul, and Joe Mutoriah, producer for Sauti Sol. The music will be released through the band’s new partnership with The Orchard, with the first single out on June 10 and the full EP on July 22.

Lone Tree recently produced a Live Set Documentary that gives fans a more intimate experience of what Lone Tree is and what it’s like to jam with them.

Exposure on social media has grown to over 30k followers, mainly from the U.S., Europe, Africa and South America on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter.

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