Soulmate Essentials

When Soulmate formed in 2003, there wasn’t much of a spotlight on the blues scene in India. But thanks to consistent gigging in New Delhi as well as internationally, the Shillong band changed that. Their appeal lies in an ability to evoke great artists like B.B. King and Buddy Guy, thanks to Rudy Wallang’s virtuosic, jaw-dropping guitar licks. He’s also a powerful singer—albeit with mellower tones than bandmate Tipriti Kharbangar, who sounds like an incendiary force when she goes full-throttle on “Voodoo Woman” and “I’m a Woman”.