Soulmate Explore Political Corruption, Keep the Message Radiant on New Album ‘Give Love'

Shillong blues experts Rudy Wallang and Tipriti Kharbangar talk about the making of their latest record, livestreams and more

- ANURAG TAGAT

On August 1st, Shillong blues rock aces Soulmate launched their fourth full-length album Give Love in the only way any band could in 2020 — via a livestream performance. Straight out of guitarist-vocalist Rudy Wallang‘s Hole in the Wall studio in Shillong with co-founder and powerhouse vocalist-guitarist Tipriti Kharbangar, the duo were understandably awkward the first few minutes until the music kicked in and they got in the groove with the band and even invited guests over virtually.

Over the phone from Shillong, Wallang recounts to Rolling Stone India, “It was pretty weird… we’re used to talking to people and interacting with people on stage, but then here in this kind of scenario, we have to look at the phone or look at the iPad and see who is coming in and say hi. You don’t hear the applause, you just see hearts and you see claps.” He’s laughing by this point but is quick to add that they’re learning to become more comfortable with the idea of virtual gigs and how future shows will likely be ticketed and employ better tech for optimum audio and video quality.

Kharbangar says she’s not one to play music and interact with people at the same time, but mentions that Wallang has been training her. She doesn’t mind getting into it either and reading comments between songs. “In the end, they are the ones who’ve taken their time and watched you and probably shell out a little money for us, so we always take time in checking out the iPad and commenting and calling out their names,” she says.