mbirame

mbirame

Mbirame is the downtempo modular synth DJ name for Joel Laviolette. Joel is currently based in Austin, TX-the "live music capitol of the world". A professional musician since 1994, Joel has played over 800 live shows with his current group, Rattletree, and hundreds more with many various other side projects. Coming from an old-school DIY ethic mixed with over 20 years of experience playing traditional Zimbabwean spirit possession music, Joel hand builds all the percussion instruments played in Rattletree-fitting MIDI triggers to all the instruments and live triggering DIY hardware synths, video projection mapping, and interactive technology in order to break down the barriers between audience and performer. When not living in the rural areas and studying with the spirit mediums in Zimbabwe, Joel can be found performing at festivals around the world, online teaching and sharing what he knows, and learning from everyone he can.