Interview on NPR-
http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/26/mbira_america/
Rattletree live on KUT-
http://kut.org/items/show/12902
Rattletree on KVRX, Austin-
http://locallive.kvrx.org/performance.php?pid=902
Rattletree on KUT's Austin Music Minute-
http://edit.kut.org/sounds/blog_00008808/AMM_June_22.mp3
Soundscape: Marimba in the Dining room-recorded for KUT Austin-
http://www.kut.org/items/show/8186
Live performance on KOOP's "World Beat" show
Featured on KPFT, Houston "Music Beyond Borders"
Interview on KAMU 90.9 College Station
San Antonio Current
Joel Laviolette featured in the Austin Chronicle's "Off The Record"
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Dallas Observer Critics Pick
Review of Revolution show
College Station Eagle writeup
Austinist Review of ACL aftershow
Featured in "Austin Music Magazine"
Letter of recommendation from the principal of Park Crest Middle School.
It was a sight to see and a unique joy to hear!
-Tad Hendrickson, Global Rhythms Magazine
...keeping the Shona music movement alive and growing in the Southwest!
-Banning Eyre, Afropop Worldwide
Rattletree is a "must see". They are a high energy fusion of African and other world influences that is immediately accessible, and rousing.
-David Courtney, "Music beyond Borders", KPFT Houston 90.1 FM
You don't have to be booked at the festival to make an impact. Rattletree had dozens of fest-goers dancing on Barton Springs Road both Friday and Saturday nights. Look for a big turnout when the impressively melodic collective plays...
-Michael Corcoran, Austin360
Rattletree is authentic Zimbabwean marimba with a twist. It's impossible to resist the African beat commanding you to move along with the energetic music.
-Wendy Wever-Austin Daze Magazine
Talking to Joel Laviolette is like listening to World music while reading National Geographic...
-Carson Barker, Austin Music Magazine
The more I listened to Chamukwenjere the wider my frequencies became, which means that I could go to higher planes of existence. The song is a vehicle to higher astral realm. It is simply beyond words.
-Ambuya Stella Chiweshe-Zimbabwean Musician (Piranha Records)
I AM totally amazed at the size of their Marimbas!! WOW -it's almost Surreal ~ you've really got to see this!!! The sounds are Amazing & So Much fun to dance with!!!!
-Sydney Strahan, facilitator-Houston Ecstatic Dance
...if you happen to be at one of their shows and you’re not dancing/grooving in some way … there’s no hope for you, you’re already dead!
-found on an online blog describing show at Revolution (College Station, TX)
I was extremely impressed with the craftsmanship of the marimbas! The show was mesmerizing. The music was so beautiful and hypnotic, most people couldn't stop dancing and they were fabulous to watch. Looking forward to another show!!
-Hannah Williams, Austin Musician
I've heard all the best players of Zimbabwean music for over 20 years, and Joel Laviolette is a serious chain in the link of it's continuity.
-Ralph White, Austin Musician
Fabulous sounds. Fascinating seeing these lily white guys sing and play African music with as much passion and talent as if they were from the continent.
-A'Muse Media, Houston