Inspired by the roots and groove sounds of the Blues,Blues-rock,Soul,Rock ‘n Roll, Funk and R&B,SOULMATE was formed in Shillong,in October 2003when Rudy Wallang and Tipriti Kharbangar decided to form a band dedicated to playing the Blues and spreading awareness about this important genre of music .Since then have played numerous gigs all over India and Abroad. In 2011 they played in the USselling out two shows at the Kennedy Center, in Washington DC during the Maximum India Festival, did a successful 4 city tour of Norway, played alongside John Mayall and Gary Clark Jr at the Jakarta International Blues Festival and most recently alongside Buddy Guy , Taj Mahal and John Lee Hooker Jr at the Mahindra Blues fest 2012and Matt Schofield,Johnny Langand Shemekia Copeland at the Mahindra Blues Fest2011.
They have toured the USA playing in Memphis Tn(Twice semi finalists at the 23rd & 26th International Blues Challenge’s ), Brown University-Rhode Islandand Colorado.They have also performed in France(Disneyland,Paris), Germany(Baltic Blues Festival 2012),Sweden(Goteburg and Monsteras Roots and Blues Festival 2012), Singapore (Mosaic Music Festival), Dubai(Du World Music Festival), Bhutan ,Indonesia(Jakarta International Blues Festival 2010/2011)and Kathmandu(Jazzmandu-2004,2005,2008),DhakaInternational Blues and Jazz Festival’s 2015/’16 Bangladesh, 4 City Tour of Russia ,2015.Anyone with an interest in the western music scene in India will recognize Guitar player/ singer/songwriter/ Rudy Wallang, who leads this tight knit musical unit. Rudy is one of the foremost Blues guitar players/ singer / songwriters in the country with a long musical history having been part of the country’s most well known blues rock acts, Great Society & Mojo The beautiful and talented Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist of Soulmate is Tipriti ‘Tips’Kharbangar who is considered one of the finest female vocalists in India. She sings with a joy and exuberance that is unmatched and original. Shehas also begun to write songs for the band. She started out singing gospel songs at the local church choir and is now drawn to the Blues, Soul and Jazz. Soulmate have recorded four albums sofar, ”Shillong”(2005),“Moving On”(2009),“Ten Stories Up”(2013)and their latest release “ Give Love”(2020)They are supported by The Groove Brothers,Leon Wallang on Bass and Vincent Tariang on Drums. They also have a parallel project called Soulmate and The Clansmen where they have teamed up with 4 Khasi Folk musicians. The music is an eclectic mix of Khasi folk songs fused with the Blues.When often asked by people, why they chose the Blues…their answer has been…
”We didn’t choose the Blues…..the Blues chose us”!
