SOULMATE, SHILLONG.

Bio:

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SOULMATE BIO

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 2002 when 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 US selling 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 2012 and Matt Schofield,Johnny Lang and Shemekia Copeland at the Mahindra Blues Fest 2011. They have toured the USA playing in Memphis Tn (Twice semi finalists at the 23rd & 26th International Blues Challenge's ), Brown University- Rhode Island and 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) .

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 beautifull 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.She has 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 two albums thus far, "Shillong" and "Moving On" and are in the process of putting down songs for their next one.

When often asked by people, why they chose the Blues…their answer has been…"We didn't choose the Blues…..the Blues chose us"!

Rudy Endorses Greg Bennett Guitars,Fender Amplification,D'Addario Strings and Xotic Pedals,USA. Tips Endorses Gibson Guitars,USA.

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Member Since:

April 13, 2007

Members:

RUDY WALLANG - Guitar/Vocals/Songwriter: TIPRITI 'TIPS' KHARBANGAR- Vocals,Guitar.

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Influences:

Albert Collins,Buddy Guy,Jimi Hendrix,Albert King,B.B King,Peter Green,Carlos Santana,Otis Rush,Koko Taylor,Ella Fitzgerald ,Susan Tedeschi,Willie Dixon,Van Morrison,Etta James ,Johnny ‘GUITAR’ Watson,Life,Love,Family,Peace, Roy Buchanan,Jeff Beck,Frank Zappa,Jack Pearson,Elvis Presley,Aretha Franklin,Chuck Berry,Bob Marley,Bob Dylan,Toto Wallang,The Great Society,Mojo,This Beautiful Place called" SHILLONG",Nina Simone,Billie Holliday,Janis Joplin,Hank Marvin,The Shadows,The Allman Brothers,Stevie Ray and Jimmie Ray Vaughn,Sam Lightnin' Hopkins,Muddy Waters,Elmo James,The Rolling Stones,John Lee Hooker and so many others!!!

Sounds Like:

Soulmate - Your Sweet Loving @ Blue Frog (Album Launch)


Soulmate - Do You? Live @ Blue Frog (Album Launch)

Record Label:

Blue Frog Records