5th Element Presents Lone Tree

Lone Tree is the rock band you didn’t expect. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this group of 4 expat teens formed 7years 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. 

Roots

The band was originally named Refuge, which represented what they are all about: an escape from shallow, in authentic music. First meant tongue and cheek, it came to symbolise their drive for progress. Influences are broad and reflect their deep knowledge of music across all genres, including Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, The Wailers, Fela Kuti, Buddy Guy, Funkadelic, Jethro Tulland King Gizzard. Although expats, Lone Tree is just a Kenyan band with roots around the world (U.S., Bolivia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, U.K. and Belgium). Their depth and diversity are unmissable –collectively having lived in 10 countries and speaking 6 languages. The singer and lead guitarist/band leader are also siblings. 

Performances

Lone Tree started making waves in 2018 with its first original “Gone Astray” which debuted at #1 in the East African rock charts. Local and international TV, radio and online appearances quickly followed. The band has opened for major Kenyan artists like Sauti Sol, Khaligraph Jones, Bensoul, Nviiri theStoryteller, and international stars like Ziggy Marley, NSG (UK),Fave (Nigeria), Nena (Germany) and Petite Noir (South Africa).To date, the band has performed more than 120 live shows.The band played its first international gig in 2018 in Boliviaand its first international festival in 2019atthe Bautz Music Festivalin Germany to an audience of over 10k people. They first gigged the U.S. in 2021 at The Basement (Nashville)andFantastic Negrito’s (Oakland) and returned in 2022for a 10-show tourin Nashville, D.C.and at Musikfest in PA for their first U.S. festival.MusicAll published music is distributed in partnership withSONY’s The Orchard. In addition, Lone Tree recently completed a 4-song EP produced by Devon Allman (Gregg’s son) scheduled for release in late Spring 2023: Holding On EPLone Tree at Snowball (Live)–11-song live album–December 2022 Refuge–6-song EP made in collaboration with Grammy-winning songwriter, Bensoul–July 2022True Love, Wind Song, One Season and Rude Bwoy–2021 Haven to a Heavy Soul–8-song EP released under original name ‘Refuge’–May 2019S