WTS NewsWTS NewsWTS NewsInspired 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 2003 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 they 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, and have shared billings with Matt Schofield, Johnny Lang and Shemekia Copeland at the Mahindra Blues Fest in Mumbai 2011, Gary Clark Jr at The Jakarta Blues Festival 2009,John Mayall at the Jakarta Blues Festival 2010 ,Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and John Lee Hooker Jr, Robert Randolph Jr at the Mahindra Blues fest 2012 , Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Dana Fuchs Band, Jimmy Thackeray, Poppa Chubby, Walter Trout at the Mahindra Blues Festival 2013 and then most recently with The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughn, Doyle Bramhall II, Zac Harmon and Lil? Ed and The Imperials at the Mahindra Blues Fest 2014.and Guitar Shorty at the Ode To The Blues Festival 2014 in Bangalore In October 2012, they opened for Carlos Santana, in Noida India
In the past Soulmate have toured the USA playing in Memphis Tn., Brown University- Rhode Island & Colorado and were twice semi finalists at the 23rd & 26th International Blues Challenge. They have performed in France (Disneyland, Paris), Germany (Baltic Blues Festival 2012), Sweden (Gothenburg and Monsteras Roots and Blues Festival 2012), Singapore (Mosaic Music Festival), Miri Sarawak (Asia Music Festival 2014), Macau (International Jazz and Blues Festival 2014) Dubai (Du World Music Festival), Indonesia (Jakarta Blues Festival 2010/2011) Bhutan and Kathmandu (Jazzmandu-2004 / 2005 / 2008).
This year, at the 4th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival,. They performed a short set with 3 Khasi Folk musicians incorporating Khasi folk music and instruments and the Blues
Soulmate have recorded 3 albums thus far, Shillong and Moving On They have just released their 3rd album Ten Stories Up? at the recently concluded Mahindra Blues
Festival,2014.
Rudy Wallang
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. Born into music, he grew up listening to his father Toto Wallang making music and he started singing and playing the ukulele at a very tender age eventually graduating to the guitar. Today, 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
Tipriti Kharbangar
The beautiful and talented Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist of Soulmate is Tipriti Tips? Kharbangar who has earned a name as one of the finest female singers to have emerged
out of Shillong and India as a whole! If there is one thing Tip?s is happy doing , it is singing and reflecting this, she vocalizes with a joy and exuberance that is unmatched and original. She has also begun to write songs for the band as well. She started out singing gospel songs at the local church choir and is now drawn to the Blues, Soul and Jazz.
When playing live, Soulmate are joined by Leon Wallang on Bass Guitar,Vincent Tariang on Drums.
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