Moving on

Blues band, Soulmate has been breaking down barriers and putting forward their musical identity, inspiring and cultivating a legion of fans. Some nearly-obsessive fans, including me, broke out in a frenzy when word finally leaked that the band was going to perform in B’lore before they took off to play at the music festival in Memphis. Last night was my first taste of the band’s music this year, and what a taste it was.

I journeyed by an auto to the Soulmate concert that took place on late Friday night at B-Flat (in B’lore). 9 of my friends and I, sprinted toward the venue, trying to make sure we caught good seats and didn’t have to stand it out until 11:30 P.M.
“Set Me Free” was the encore, and as we approached the end of the first set we found a massive crowd had formed, all to show the band their support. This time I would have to wait a while before I could speak to either Rudy (the guitarist) or Tips (the vocalist). Sad, but ecstatic about the show, I met fellow blogger, Anupama, to discuss how brilliant the band had been. And as the perfect emotional coda for the night, Rudy Wallang, dedicates one of the songs to me. I didn’t need to actually see or hear anything to know what was happening because everyone turned towards my direction.

The band was completely in sync and music of one of the best concerts of all-time was ringing in my ears. It had the usual buzz and exhilaration, but also melodies to sing along with, beats to bop your head to, lyrics that were fun and momentous. Tips’ voice and Rudy’s playing was transcendent and timeless; the music - entirely modern and original. Soulmate has shaped the Blues so that it can be well received by dance-happy teens as easily as it could be played to know-it-all 40-somethings. Songs, if not listened to live, can also be blasted from car speakers on a warm summer day or listened to tenderly on headphones on a rainy one.

Looking back at 2009 I reached that music that changed everything. And if you’ve kept an eye on this page you’ve realized it too. I put up as much about Soulmate in hopes that you guys will chime in the comments and share my favorite musical moments. It’s an epic band that can lift you up when down, fill your heart with happiness when it needs it, give you that kick, that sense of urgency to get going. This band is true testament, for the music scene, to wake the hell up.

I also want to thank my wonderful friends- Runa, Pete, Saina, Sama, Tamara, Kaushyk, Charlie, Anupama, Kanchan, Zoe, and all the others, on behalf of the band, for making it to the show.

P:S Those in Delhi, please catch Soulmate’s show on 14 Jan 2010, 09:00 PM at The HARD ROCK CAFÉ.

“Moving on”

It’s Wednesday.

I'm at work. And despite working three days this week, it feels like something I haven't done for, oh, months.

I haven't been able to doze off worth a damn for the past week and a half. I try. I eventually fall asleep but I always seem to wake up many times during the night. I'm up every morning by 5:00 even though I only have to be up by 7:00. Funny thing is I do manage to fall completely, wonderfully asleep about 20 minutes before the alarm goes off. Because of that, I've been touchy, sore and one of the single largest supporters of the tea industry in B’lore city. I was really wondering why all this was going down until I realized it has been a week and a half since I had a cigarette. I'm not losing my mind after all...well, at least no more than usual.

Now you might think that I would use this time to do what I love. That I would use it to check out new music. But for some reason I haven’t done it. And so that brings me to this post about Jump Little Children’s track entitled ‘Mexico’. I love this track and I owe my friend, Ajay, who led me to it. In fact I love the track so much it has been one of the few songs I’ve listened to over the past couple of months. It’s an amazing song and I feel that if I don’t share it with everyone it will be stuck in my head for ages and I won’t ever listen to another.

Soulmate is playing their last show for this year on Friday the 8th, before they take off for their international tour. If you are anywhere in the remote vicinity of the B-Flat Lounge, Indiranagar, I strongly encourage you to go and treat yourself to one of the most talented musicians in India. I know I've mentioned them far too many times on EC but it's only because I love their music and I try to support them in whichever way I can.

Do me a favor, do Soulmate a favor, do the local music scene a favor, or do your girlfriend/boyfriend a favor and take them to see Soulmate. And make sure you say hi to them after the show. You’ll probably leave friends.

Those of you who’ve been following along here on the blog, have possibly noticed that I love LOVE love M.E.A.T. There I said it. I’ve tried being vegan and vegetarian, and while they were appropriate ways for me to eat at certain points in my life, I just love meat and so does my body (yeah yeah, I know, you’ve got proof I’m wrong, buzzkill!). So, when I come across a fantastic place for a meat dish, I’m in.
My friends, Mai, Kanch and I headed out to Ice & Spice on Saturday. A fairly popular joint but a place I had never eaten at. It was bustling on the weekend, even when there wasn’t anything special being hosted. I like how the mood was warm, against the cold weather. One could sit here at any time of year and soak up the flurry of activity, where a song by Sting (at night, when it’s contentedly crowded) is as appropriate as a song by Nina Simone (particularly at a time like this, when the skies were almost grey) is as appropriate as a song by Iron And Wine (during the early days of summer, when it’s still cool in the evening).

Mai had fish and chips, Kanch had the chicken steak burger and I had the lamb. My dish was incredibly juicy, tender, and came with fresh salad in a light dressing, along with mashed potatoes, garlic bread and chips (All for 200 bucks). I got mine with barbecue sauce, which is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted; the meat was tender enough to stick through with a fork, but hard enough not to fall off. It was so good, that I may surrender the pleasure of trying something new the next time I go for the flavorful taste of their best cut lamb.

Blogger and colleague - Pete, my ex colleague - Sai and I happened to be free on Sunday, so we went for lunch at a restaurant close to where we live. It was this place called ‘French Quarter’.

Outside it’s slightly noisy, but inside it’s calm. The chicken liver starters are delightfully smooth and thin, a demonstration of the chef’s skill. The meat pie topped with cheese and the meat-veggie dish tasted especially flavorful.

I have the ability to find fault with almost anything, but on Sunday, the food was nearly impeccable. It’s all enough to make one smile at any time of day.

After a bunch of petty thoughts — about the new guy— I try to convince myself that everything will be ancient history much more quickly than it took for me to write this. Nothing works, when I try so hard for it. So I just say, ‘eff it and write it anyway, even if you’re terrified and you can’t breathe, and put it out of your head even if that leaves you exposed, that anyone could read it, that people know something that you probably shouldn’t disclose, that you’re still thinking about him when every person is telling you not to, because none of it matters when it’s what you feel, and what you feel makes you you'.

I was introduced to this little gem by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. If you haven’t heard of them already, they are musicians of the singer songwriter sort and this piano song felt perfect when matched up with cold weather and the early night so common during this season. To get this week started I’ve decided to upload the track ‘Winter Song’. I hope you enjoy the music, there’s plenty more to come.

Bluesy Thursdays

Now it’s time for another episode of ‘Conversations With God’

Dear God,

Remember our last conversation? It was Sunday night, when I was terrified of closing my eyes and waking up on Monday. I prayed to you to give me the power to deal with the toads that I work with and in exchange I was never going to drink alcohol ever again.
Well, we both dropped the ball on that one.

Love,
Eve

Apparently there’s was this little music gathering in some corner of B’lore, which happens occasionally. Apparently at said gathering of music fans there was this big band that played a killer set and set off the revelers.
For those of you who are still unaware, Soulmate played a show last night at B Flat, Indiranagar. By my account - it was an epic show {but what Soulmate show isn’t?}. Apparently the band ‘Soulmate’ has played a few sets in B’lore over the years. And also, apparently, someone thought it would be a good idea to go and take a look at their act last night and write then about them. And yes, introducing you to great music is the ploy to get you coming back over and over and over again. Eat it.
If you’re looking to listen to their music you can check out each individual post at these links.

Set Me Free

Stay Away

Soulmate might be the best band to ever play the blues. Period. Granted Tipriti ‘Tips’ Kharbangar (the vocalist) might not be the most skilled guitarist, but when she takes the stage, everyone just shuts up. Everyone.

I’ve had the amazing luck to catch the band play an amazing live set and they left me wowed. The tracks were masterful and I recall being blown away by the songs I hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing. Another important note is that Soulmate is performing again this month on the 20th at the Opus. Call for tickets now, or risk missing what is sure to be a sell-out performance! This is going to be a great show, kids. Anybody who doesn't go is just a loser, plain and simple. Also, if you’ve have planned to make it to this event make sure you book a table well in advance cos a Solmate show is always packed. I was definitely looking forward to hearing their somewhat legendary live sound. For all the hype I was not even close to disappointed. The channeling of Tipriti ‘Tips’ Kharbangar continued on and off throughout their show and oh my is it brilliant live. She simply exudes a type of rock star cool that permeates the depths of the cool B’lore moon. Simply put, they killed it hard for the full two hours. They just sound great live. And for anyone still interested below is the entire touring list for Soulmate in this current year.

7 Aug 2009, 20:00
ZEST BEACH HOUSE,PUDUCHERRY,PUBROCK FEST
PUDUCHERRY, Puducherry

9 Aug 2009, 20:00
10 DOWNING STREET,HYDERABAD,PUBROCK FEST 2009
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

20 Aug 2009, 20:00
OPUS,Bangalore,PUBROCK FEST 2009
Bangalore, Karnataka

31 Aug 2009, 18:00
THE LADAKH CONFLUENCE 2009
Leh, Jammu & Kashmir

4 Sep 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

5 Sep 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

20 Sep 2009, 20:00
OPUS,PUNE,PUBROCK FEST,2009
PUNE, Maharashtra

25 Sep 2009, 20:00
KAMIKAZE,GUWAHATI,PUBROCK FEST 2009
GUWAHATI, Assam

26 Sep 2009, 20:00
POLO TOWERS,SHILLONG,PUB ROCK FEST
SHILLONG, Meghalaya

2 Oct 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

3 Oct 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

6 Nov 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

7 Nov 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

1 Dec 2009, 15:00
World Aids Day Venue TBA
Shillong, Meghalaya

4 Dec 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

5 Dec 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

I have never had that much fun at a live concert before. It was non-stop energy from the opening beat to the closing of their sweat drenched show. The entire show was laced with infectious, no holds barred, beyond-awesome singing and there wasn’t a moment during which front woman Tips stood still or took a breather. If you’ve not had the chance - I recommend you see their show for a life altering change. Honestly, after watching that set I’ve come to realize that I will never need to do drugs, ever.
The concert is over, but there is still the 20th. What a brilliant show.

Soulmate with ‘Smile at me’.