Soul-R Fusion Full Bio
Soul-R Fusion is an acoustic guitar and fretless bass songwriter duo that will draw you in and take you on a mystic musical journey.
Tim Koehler (acoustic guitar / vocals) and Alex Goodell (fretless bass) are both originally from New Jersey, but met by chance in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2015. When they collaborated things really clicked, and they developed an original sound by blending diverse musical influences and unique approaches to their instruments and to songwriting.
Tim began playing guitar in his early teens and is largely self-taught. He was the lead guitarist and frontperson for several New Jersey based bands. Then, with a switch from electric to acoustic, Tim went solo, playing acoustic guitar in the Red Bank, NJ music scene and occasionally dipping into the crowded Greenwich Village folk scene. After several relocations, he ended up in Wilmington, NC, where he frequented open-mics and gigged as a solo singer-songwriter.
Tim’s "superpower" has always been his ability to get to the emotional center of a song. His thoughtfully crafted lyrics relate stories, experiences, and emotions that he brings to life with his rich, soulful vocals.
Alex played classical violin throughout her childhood. She started playing bass as a teenager and is a graduate of the bass guitar program at Musicians Institute in California. She has played with a variety of bands on the east and west coasts, performing a range of genres including rock power trio, Elvis tribute, county-rock, funk-soul, surf, retro-instrumental mash-up, and jam band.
Alex’s melodic bass playing highlights the magical qualities of the fretless bass.
This complementary combination led to the formation of Soul-R Fusion, and the duo became partners in music and life.
Soul-R Fusion features the interplay between Tim’s intelligent, heartfelt lyrics, and Alex’s ethereal fretless basslines. Their songs are optimistic reflections on life.
Soul-R Fusion has a large repertoire of original music including three studio album recordings: their eponymous Soul-R Fusion, (2016) with drummer Roger Manning, a double CD Like a Circle ‘Round the Sun, (2019), and Everybody Knows, (2023). They are constantly writing new music and are currently working on new studio recordings.
The duo recently relocated to Kenansville, NC, but they still perform regularly at Wilmington listening room, Live at Ted’s, and at the Beale Street Barber Shop, Wilmington NC's Elvis themed barber shop / original music venue. They are members of the North Carolina Songwriter’s Co-op, and perform locally, regionally and nationally, in original-music friendly venues, showcases, events, and festivals, and for live radio / streaming broadcasts.
Noteworthy Performances
Festivals / Events:
- Alt-Zalea Fest, Wilmington, NC (2018, 2019, 2024, 2025)
- Hope Concert Series / Recovery Fest, Wilmington, NC (2023, 2024)
- Make Music Wilmington, Wilmington, NC (2024, 2025)
- Flush Fest, Hillsborough, NC (2024)
- Little Big City Festival, Greensboro, NC (2024)
- Piedmont Earth Day Fair, Winston-Salem, NC (2025)
- Awendaw Green Barn Jam, Awendaw, SC (2024, 2025)
- Singer-Songwriter Cape May Showcase, Cape May, NJ (2025)
- Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Private Showcases, Owensboro, KY (2025)
- Festival for the Eno, Durham, NC (2025)
- Come Out and Play Sculpture Show, Pittsboro, NC (2025)
- Paracrypticon, Roanoke Rapids, NC (2025)
- Southern Songwriter Festival, Summerville, SC (2025)
- CenterFest Arts Festival, Durham, NC (2025)
Live Radio / Concerts (streamed worldwide - click links to listen)
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WHQR Soup to Nuts Live! Wilmington, NC (October 18, 2023)
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Planet-Z Live Under the Radar, Whiteville, NC (2023)
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Tiny Stage Concerts, Charlotte, NC (2024)
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WHUP Pass the Hat, Hillsborough, NC (November 2, 2024)
- WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, TN (2024, 2025)
- The Martha Bassett Show, Elkin, NC (May 1, 2025)
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WHUP Pass the Hat, Hillsborough, NC (October 3, 2025)
Accolades:
- North Carolina Songwriters Co-op 2025 Songwriting Contest Finalists
- North Carolina Arts Council 2025 - 2026 Artist Support Grant Recipients
Soul-R Fusion is grateful to be able to share their music and connect with audiences everywhere!
Testimonials
“Soul -R Fusion is a duo with great musical ability and clever lyrics. Tim’s gravelly voice and Alex’s dreamy bass together with their storytelling takes you on a mystic musical ride!”
- Mark Sinnis, Beale Street Barber Shop
“Soul-R Fusion is a duo of thought provoking songwriting, tasteful guitar work, and incredible depth and finesse added by the fretless bass. Their eclectic mix of multiple genres in their original tunes makes them super relatable to all audiences. And, Alex and Tim are just great people! It’s always a pleasure hosting them on the Ted’s stage.”
- Whitney Lanier Harrison, Co-Owner/Booking, Live At Ted’s
“…mostly acoustic, the music’s personality shares an amalgam of subtle flavors bubbling just under the surface – rock, bluegrass, soul, and funk. The material is reflective and observational, led by Tim Koehler’s invitingly rustic timbre, a voice that seems to measure years with a cheerful outlook on things.”
- Brian Tucker, Star News
“Soul-R Fusion’s sound is propelled by Koehler’s rhythm guitar, occasional harmonica and husky vocals, with Goodell’s fretless bass interplay throwing down licks and accenting passages."
- John Staton, Star News
"Soul-R Fusion is in my opinion a very aptly named band. They fuse Folk, Blues, Americana, and much more to create a unique sound of their own. Killer bass lines and guitar licks meld together under soulfully written lyrics. I’ve enjoyed working with them in the studio on several projects, not only because I like their music, but also because we get along so well. They’re also very easy to work with. All of this translates well to their live shows. They’re entertaining, thought provoking, and heartfelt. All around a good time!”
- Trent Harrison, Recording Engineer/Producer at Hourglass Studios, Wilmington, NC