Dutch La Ratte is a young, energetic three-man formation. The band first started out as a duo, with Jochem Jorissen accompanying the two-man band on drums and Harm van Essen posing as lead guitarist and vocalist. A series of attic recordings by Harm, propelled La Ratte in a new direction. The new material required a bassist to play the songs live. "Nikolas Karolewicz joined the band as a result. "

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Since late '21, the band has thrived on an excellent synergy of Harm's quirky songwriting, fiery vocals and fiery guitar playing, Jochem's explosive drumming style and Nikolas's old-school bass groove.

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The 2023 debut album, Astray, was recorded in seven days at Studio De Krakeling, built in an anti-squat building in the woods of Zeist. All eleven songs explore a different side of American roots music, drawing inspiration from the energy of Texas Blues, hypnotic Mississippi Hill Country groove and the infectiousness of Louisiana Swamp Pop.

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La Ratte has played at the biggest blues festivals in the Netherlands, but strangely not yet in Belgium. We had to change that and by the time our festival takes place, the band has the new album “Triptyque, vol.2” to promote.