CLIENT STORIES
RANDA & THE SOUL KINGDOM
Retro Meets Right Now
Randa’s got a rhythm that won’t quit and a voice that can melt your heart one minute, then get you dancing the next.
Randa is taking Perth’s music scene by storm, and she’s just getting started. Known for fronting Randa and The Soul Kingdom, she’s made a name for herself with a sound that’s both retro and refreshingly original.
When Randa Khamis steps on stage, the energy shifts. The air crackles. The petite powerhouse with a voice that could knock the wind out of you is redefining what it means to bring the funk - she’s got the voice, the groove, and a bold new vibe that’s got everyone talking.
Born in Jordan to Palestinian and Armenian parents who survived two wars before settling in Perth, Randa’s journey to soul stardom began long before she ever grabbed a mic. Raised in Perth’s working-class suburbs, she found solace and a sense of identity in music.
Randa’s love for soul and funk is rooted in her childhood, thanks to her older sisters who helped pave the way for her - introducing her to the pioneers of funk and soul music that she idolises, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. By age 6, Randa was dreaming of one day singing and dancing to huge audiences. She knew music was her calling.
Randa’s band, Randa and The Soul Kingdom, became the vehicle for her vision. With three albums to their name, including their first two albums on London’s Freestyle Records, the group channel the spirit of 60’s and 70s sounds, but with a fresh vibe that’s all their own. Featuring some of Perth’s funkiest musicians, including James Vinciullo on bass and Music Director.
The band’s first single, Not Gonna Let You, even landed a synchronisation on the soundtrack of the US version of the hit TV show Skins, showcasing their universal appeal.
As if that wasn’t enough, international DJ and producer Bakermat remixed one of Randa’s vocals on his track called Do Your Thing, racking up nearly 4 million streams on Spotify. From sweaty clubs to international airwaves, Randa and her band are on a roll.
“I believe our music makes people feel good. Life is hard enough as it is and I feel our music is good respite from that. I'd like our music to be a conduit for something greater to happen to our audience. It’s about giving people something transformative.”
There’s no shortage of good times when Randa and The Soul Kingdom hit the stage. Known for getting even the most reluctant crowds onto the dance floor, they’ve earned a loyal following.
Whether it’s a festival or a late-night gig, the band knows how to deliver, with Randa’s powerhouse vocals leading the charge. If you’ve ever caught one of their live shows, you know it’s not just another gig, they are creating an experience.
With fresh ideas for growing her brand, she’s ready to take on bigger stages and festival spots. It’s clear she’s not interested in standing still, and she’s ready to take her impact beyond Perth with her sights set on taking Randa and The Soul Kingdom global, with a goal of lifting the band’s profile across Australia and beyond.
Randa’s music on Freestyle already has a bigger audience outside of Australia and she’s toured Europe (UK, France, Spain) and was so well received she went back for more, performing in France again at the St Paul Soul Funk Festival. Recently, (2024) she was invited to sing at BluesFest Byron Bay with Women of Soul.
“I love the idea of playing for people who’ve never heard us before and blowing them away with our energy and music”
Randa Khamis has taken the art of singing and turned it into a full-blown business, and the journey is just getting started. She has immense gratitude for the opportunity to perform and is intent on enjoying the process one step at a time!
Randa comments that, “Before working with Kaz, I felt like my old photos didn’t really represent me anymore. I was using old photo’s that were outdated and overused.
After our shoot, I was able to give new, updated images to The Ellington (live music venue), for their promotions for an upcoming gig.”
Kaz cites, as Artists, we both know the power of capturing a moment, whether it's through a song or a single image. Working with the right photographer can be transformative, and in the case of Randa, it’s been a step toward reclaiming her sound and style with a fresh, sassy edge.
"Kaz is a wonderful human being, and working with her was such an easy, fun experience.
I’ve got a fresh, modern look that’s more funky and up-to-date. The photos were exactly what I needed to represent where my music is at right now.”
It's a reminder that in both music and branding, sometimes, you need the right collaborator to help you hit that perfect note.
You can get on down to Randa here >