Exclusive Interview with Rudy Wallang and his Guitar Jamboree Group

“The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree” is a group of 8 guitarists from Northeast, India curated by SOULMATE‘s guitarist and song writer, Rudy Wallang. He shared the stage this year at the NH7 Weekender, Meghalaya along with 8 talented guitarists from Northeast- Cornelius Kharsyntiew , Aribam Uttam Sharma, Arenlong Longkumer , Gyt Artha , Ztpa Rokhum, Sonam Lachungpa and Takar Nabam

R&L ‘s Lisa recently sat down for an interview with the members to talk about their act, how The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree came together, their music, and the music scene in the Northeast.

RootsandLeisure_RudyWallangGuitarJAmboree

Photo courtesy : Rudy Wallang

So, tell us how you guys got together for “The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree”?

Rudy: This whole idea behind the Guitar Jamboree started when OML contacted my brother, Keith about 3-4 months ago, to curate a guitar gig. They wanted a series of guitar acts leading up to the main act- Steve Vai, one of the headliners this year. So I got in touch with a few guitarists from the Northeast and eventually, this crew came together to form the “The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree”.

Where do you take inspiration from? What influences your music?

Takar : For me personally, the biggest influence has been the people around me, playing music. It’s my sole my interest in music that I took forward, not my culture or my family asking me to take up music.

Cornelius : I was introduced to music since I was a kid. My family listened to every genre of music- from oldies, pop, rock to hard rock songs. That’s what sparked my interest in music later in life. So for me, my main influences and inspiration come from my parents and my family members and it’s because of them I’m here.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the music scene here in Northeast?

Rudy : Well, if you’re talking about the international music scene, they have a whole industry out there with a lot of record labels. Whereas in India, we don’t have a music industry per se, besides the Bollywood music industry. I think musicians here are not famous or well known because of the lack of exposure and opportunity, even though I feel the artists from NE have a lot of potential and talent.

What is the biggest misconception about musician in the Northeast?

Takar: Most people have this idea that musicians from northeast are into substance abuse, but that is not the case. We are musicians who loves nothing more but to create and play music for the people. We hope to change that perception towards the NE people.

The Rudy Wallang Guitar Jamboree Group | Photo courtesy : Rudy Wallang

Any message to young aspiring musicians out there?

Rudy: Many people think that music should be JUST a hobby, but if you are serious enough, it can be a life changing experience for you!

If you want to be a musician, you have to be serious about it. You have to respect the music you are playing because music is bigger than all of us.

Lastly, what would you like to tell our folks here from our R&L community?

We just want to say- we, Northeast people are made up of different roots and culture, and would encourage you to stay ahead of the game always. We have to let people know that we have a lot more to offer besides just music!