by M. De Santiago

The harp is quite possibly one of the least rock and roll instruments. Ricky Rasura, El Paso native and former member of symphonic psych-pop group, The Polyphonic Spree, is changing that notion.

“I am not your standard harpist that plays in the background of a cocktail party,” Rasura said.

Before Rasura plays in Austin for South by Southwest, one of the world’s largest rock festivals, he will perform in his hometown on March 15 at The Vault, located on 209 S. El Paso St.

“I am excited about playing in El Paso,” the harpist said. “I started writing music growing up there – and to finally have a completed CD of my own material – there is no better place I can think of to premiere my music than in front of my family and friends.”

He began playing the harp while attending Coronado High School. He graduated from there in 1993 and received a Harp Performance degree from Texas Tech in 1999.

Rasura joined the Polyphonic Spree in 2002. He has played harp acoustically and electrically on all their albums, including a track the group contributed to the Thumbsucker movie soundtrack and their Live in Austin disc. He performed with them around the world including notable places like the Tonight Show and the Nobel Peace Prize Awards. He recently left the group to pursue a solo career.

“I left the group because the harp was getting buried with so much different instrumentation, and I feel the harp has way more to offer than what I was doing with the band,” Rasura said.

The harpist has played Austin many times as a member of the Polyphonic Spree, his performance this year at the music capitol of the world will be his first as a soloist.

“I will be opening up the first classical crossover concert in the festival’s history,” Rasura said.

Rasura hopes to expand the knowledge and appreciation of the harp across the world.

“I have played countless places where a pedal harp was unimaginable for a performance, and seen the general audience excited and enthralled by the majesty of the harp,” Rasura said.

You can check out his music here.