Refuge is Nairobi’s very own blues/rock band made of six students from the International School of Kenya.
Started in late - 2016 when Patrick (guitar), Gabe (drums) and Silas (guitar) would get together to jam at each other’s houses, the boys soon realized that they had the beginning of a band.
Once they learned a few songs, they were ready to play them for a real audience, which led to some early “gigs” such as MS socials and talent shows.
Over time, they developed a very clear preference for the blues, classic rock, improvisational jazz, and lots of jamming.
That led to them expanding in order to bring in all the necessary elements to complete the band, eventually adding Ben on bass, Teresa on vocals, and Ike on piano/organ.
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Although they are expats (to one degree or another), Refuge considers itself a Kenyan band that has family roots in the US, Bolivia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, UK, Belgium and Kenya.
Amazingly, their first song Gone Astray has made it on to the Kenyan airwaves, debuting at number two on 105.5 XFM's Weekly Top 30 countdown a few weeks ago; that countdown's highest debut ever.
The following week they made it to #1 (also an XFM record) and have currently held that position for five weeks now.
This was beyond unexpected, and the kids are now more motivated than ever to continue writing and recording original music.
They love the blues, rock and jazz, and are committed to promoting authentic rock music to a new generation.
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