Soulmate To Record New Album After Touring Season

Santana and Soulmate at the F1 Rocks concert in Noida on October 28th. Photo: DNA Networks

Carlos Santana’s show in Noida would go down as one of the biggest concert moments in Shillong blues band Soulmate’s career. The band not only opened for the guitar legend, but also inspired Santana to join them on stage when they were in the middle of “Lie,” a new track written by Soulmate vocalist Tipriti Kharbangar. Says the band’s guitarist Rudy Wallang, “For him to walk up on stage when we were opening for him; it’s a moment which will be forever stuck in my heart.”

Wallang adds that when the band met Santana backstage, he mentioned wanting to work with them or rope in Kharbangar on a collaboration. “I told him we have enough songs for him to record on,” says the guitarist. Carrying on from that high, the band will tour relentlessly all of next month. They play at the Shillong Autumn Festival on November 4^th, at India Music Week’s Delhi leg before pulling over for Harley Rock Riders in Bengaluru on November 24^th.

The touring, however, has interfered with plans to record and release their third album. Wallang says, “We have the songs, everything is ready. We haven’t figured out where to record.” The band is looking to record in Mumbai, but is holding back because of financial constraints. “We originally wanted to record it at YRF Studios with Shantanu Hudlikar, but it’s too expensive. Shantanu has been open with us, but it would mean being in debt,” Wallang says. The album will have eight to nine songs, including “Sunshine”, “Moon Magic” (a dedication to Santana), “Your Love” and their newest live jam premiered in Delhi titled “I’ll Be Around.” Wallang adds, “There will be three of Tips’ (Tipriti Kharbangar) songs and possibly two covers we’re thinking of, but we need to look at permissions regarding that.”

Soulmate want to record this album old-school style, with the entire band recording at one go. “We want to capture that live energy. The blues is all about spontaneity. We play songs differently at a gig today and then again differently tomorrow,” Wallang says. Hoping that their collaboration with Santana goes forward, the band also has plans to get the album mixed in the US, and work with as many artists as possible and include fans in their effort as well. Wallang says, “It’s for everyone, so anyone can be a part of it.”