Randa Khamis
Born in Jordan from Palestinian parents, raised in the working class suburbs of Perth, Australia, singer Randa Khamis caught the black music bug early. At the age of 12 she was talking her way into local clubs, desperate to dance to the sounds of James Brown, Parliament, Kurtis Blow, Ann Sexton and Aretha Franklin. Totally entranced by the music she heard, Randa decided then in her early teens that she could, would, and must become a singer
During her 20's, Randa took up Belly Dancing and wanted to start combining the use of Arabic rhythms with soul/funk vocals. She moved to London and began working with Moroccan band MOMO, KINOBE and Sasha Baron Cohens' brother's band 'Zohar' singing in Arabic. But it was with Leigh Gracie's deep funk band 'Speedometer' that she spent much of her time singing, and after supporting the legend Eddie Bo, began touring with him in New Orleans, where he passed on his vast musical knowledge about performance and song writing. With this priceless experience under her belt, she returned to Perth, ready to harness her writing and recording experiences with her new band 'Randa & The Soul Kingdom'. Moula Bux is a return to her Middle Eastern roots entwined in her funk/soul vocal influences.
During her 20's, Randa took up Belly Dancing and wanted to start combining the use of Arabic rhythms with soul/funk vocals. She moved to London and began working with Moroccan band MOMO, KINOBE and Sasha Baron Cohens' brother's band 'Zohar' singing in Arabic. But it was with Leigh Gracie's deep funk band 'Speedometer' that she spent much of her time singing, and after supporting the legend Eddie Bo, began touring with him in New Orleans, where he passed on his vast musical knowledge about performance and song writing. With this priceless experience under her belt, she returned to Perth, ready to harness her writing and recording experiences with her new band 'Randa & The Soul Kingdom'. Moula Bux is a return to her Middle Eastern roots entwined in her funk/soul vocal influences.
