They've got the Blues: Soulmate | Artist Shoutout
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India’s most loved blues band Soulmate, released an album ‘Give Love’ during lockdown and by the sound of it, you bet it’s another chartbuster that is loved by all their fans all across the world. For guitarist – vocalist Rudy Wallang it was nothing really different from the usual. “Except of course we didn’t play a real ‘Live’ gig to support the album release. We did play a live stream though” says the Shillong based vocalist who along with Tripti Kharbangar form Soulmate.
The album released in August this year has a mix of their earlier hits with a few new tracks thrown in. They also collaborated with 3 musicians namely, Hmingpuia who is based in Aizawl, Mizoram and played the slide solo on Hole in Your Soul. Ron Cha from Guwahati, played organ and the organ solo on Do You Miss Me Baby and last but not the least Raveen Panday from Bangalore played the Hammond organ on Troubled Times.
Why did they choose the name ‘Give Love’ for an album? Wallang states that this was exactly what the world needs in these dark uncertain times. “What with this Covid thing and all our infamous politicians and businessmen/women who want to control the world by trying to impose their dirty doings on us, the people, and our Mother Earth. The world needs Love and a lot of healing”.
The darlings of the North East, who are seen at every major music festival in India, took on a bit of political overtone in their song Hole in your Soul. Wallang recalls an incident that happened in 2018. “Around 15 coal miners were trapped in one of the mines when they hit the bed of a river trapping and killing all of them. This tragedy could have been averted had the owners of the mines taken adequate precautions..
It’s been a long but eventful journey for Soulmate who began in 2003 and have been blessed abundantly. They have had the fortune and honor of playing in quite a number of countries all over the world as well as sharing stages with the best in the Blues music world. Nothing can top that feeling that continues to grow.
⬇ Soulmate over the years at BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender:
⬇ Soulmate - Set Me Free:
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