Vika and Linda
Encyclopedia
Vika and Linda Bull are a sister vocal duo who came to prominence after being asked to sing backing vocals in Joe Camilleri's
band The Black Sorrows
.
From an early age Vika wanted to be a professional singer whereas Linda wanted to be either a painter or a micro biologist. They received support from their family to do whatever they wanted, but knowing how competitive the music industry was, their parents wanted them to have something to fall back on if this didn't work out (Vika is a legal secretary).
They both enjoyed singing and when in 1984 Vika was offered a job as a backing singer with a Melbourne band called Fear of Flying
, she jumped at the chance. She stayed with them for two years before moving onto another band called Sophisticated Boom Boom
.
At this time Linda decided that she wasn't enjoying what she was doing, so she decided to leave University and give music a try. She knew that she could harmonize well with Vika, but she wasn't sure whether she was a good enough singer in her own right, but she joined Vika in Sophisticated Boom Boom
in 1987. During that time Vika also took the opportunity to gig with other bands including John Justin and Thunderwings and The Blue Tomatoes.
After that they formed their own band called The Honeymooners
. Around this time Linda met Justin (who was the percussionist in Bachelors From Prague), and they married in 1993. Also around that same time, Vika met John (who was the drummer with the James Reyne
band), and they married in 1997.
Their big musical break came in 1988 when Joe Camilleri
took the girls into The Black Sorrows
as backing singers - this is when the girls profile was raised. Vika was prominent on a couple of their big singles and their reputation grew. During their time with The Black Sorrows
, they also performed on other people's songs - people such as Hunters and Collectors, John Farnham
, Seven Stories
and Archie Roach
. Whilst working on the Archie Roach's album, they met and started working with Paul Kelly
.
After 6 years with the Black Sorrows, they felt it was time to take the next logical step, which was to be lead singers in their own band. They had enough material and wanted the opportunity to perform it. So, in 1994, they left the Black Sorrows and took their music to audiences at places like The Esplanade and the Cherry Tree - at this time they were playing covers of Country songs and started to introduce their own songs into the sets. The reaction to their music was very positive and with that came confidence in what they were doing and they started refining the material for their first album.
Six months after having left the Black Sorrows, they released their debut album called Vika and Linda, as they tried to develop their own identities rather than be known as 'the girls from the Black Sorrows'. The album was produced by Paul Kelly and reaching gold status quickly and then certified platinum. The album was nominated for an Australian Music Award.
All the songs on the album were originals - Paul Kelly
had offered them 12 tracks of which they recorded five. Three of the tracks written specifically for them, "When Will You Fall For Me' by Mark Seymour
, "House Of Love" by Wayne Burt and "These Hands" by Eris O'Brien. For a limited time, there was a bonus disc that came with the album, which contained some gospel songs.
In 1995, they went touring around Europe with their band, and during their month in England, they spent a week at Peter Gabriel
's studio recording their next album called The Mouth Of The River. They were invited to England to take part in the World of Recording Week, which was part of a WOMAD event (World Of Music Art and Dance).
They then started work on their next album, which they were going to co-produce with Diesel
and Jeremy Allom. This album was mostly material that they had written along with collaborators such as Paul Kelly
, Tim Finn
, Michael Barker
(their drummer), and Diesel
. The recording of the album, Princess Tabu took place in Melbourne, Sydney and Tonga
. Along with the album is a bonus live disc (recorded at the Continental) which contains live acoustic versions of songs from the Vika and Linda, Mouth of the River and Princess Tabu albums.
In the following two years, which the sisters used for gigging, writing new material, each of them also gave birth to daughters, Vika's daughter is called Mafi and Linda's is Tapana.
In 1999 came the release of Two Wings an album of spiritual songs. The album was produced by Paul Kelly
and Renée Geyer
and contains songs penned by such people as Bob Marley
, Paul Kelly
, Archie Roach
and Tim Rogers
.
In 2000, they brought out another album, Live and Acoustic, which is almost a 'best of' collection, and it contains all live tracks recorded at the Continental Hotel. They co-produced the album with their longtime friend and guitarist, Jeff Burstin.
In 2001, Vika and Linda were released by Mushroom Records
despite still having two albums left on their contract. The basic reason for their release was that Mushroom couldn't fit the girls into a category that they market. The sisters were happy to take control of their careers and to be responsible for the direction they choose to move in. They now have the load of promoting themselves and the distribution of their music, though Mushroom still hold their back catalogue.
In 2002 they bought out their next album entitled Love Is Mighty Close which is more of a country/blues record. The twelve tracks were all written by Australian artists such as Paul Kelly
, Chris Wilson, Cyndi Boste, Rob Snarski and Dan Brodie
.
Since the release of Love Is Mighty Close, the sisters have been concentrating more on their gospel roots. They altered the band replacing Jeff Burstin with Dion Hirini. They performed a three month residency at the Cornish Arms where they played and recorded many gospel tunes. The result of those gigs was the album Tell The Angels which was released in 2004.
Since that time, the sisters have taken a break from music, during which Linda gave birth to her second daughter, Emmikiki. They have now started gigging again allowing for Linda to spend more time as a mother. They have also opened their own shop in North Fitzroy called 'Hoochie Coochie'.
Joe Camilleri
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Camilleri, aka Jo Jo Zep or Joey Vincent, is an Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist. Camilleri has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows...
band The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows are an Australian band founded by Joe Camilleri, the group's only constant member. Founded in 1983, The Black Sorrows are still active today, and are best remembered for their top 40 Australian hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Hold On To Me", "Chained To The...
.
Biography
Born of a Tongan mother and Australian father, Vika and Linda grew up in Victoria but maintained close links to the Tongan community. As children they were always around music and enjoyed singing with the family and also at the Tongan church they attended. They learned singing and harmonies from their mother, but they both have had musical training - Vika had singing lessons for a couple of years as well as learning to play the piano and read music.From an early age Vika wanted to be a professional singer whereas Linda wanted to be either a painter or a micro biologist. They received support from their family to do whatever they wanted, but knowing how competitive the music industry was, their parents wanted them to have something to fall back on if this didn't work out (Vika is a legal secretary).
They both enjoyed singing and when in 1984 Vika was offered a job as a backing singer with a Melbourne band called Fear of Flying
Fear of Flying
A fear of flying is a fear of air travel. Fear of Flying may also refer to:*Fear of Flying , a 1973 novel by Erica Jong*"Fear of Flying" , a 1994 episode of the animated television series The Simpsons...
, she jumped at the chance. She stayed with them for two years before moving onto another band called Sophisticated Boom Boom
Sophisticated Boom Boom
Sophisticated Boom Boom is the debut album by the British pop group Dead or Alive, released in 1984. Containing mostly synth pop and dance elements, the record was a minor success in the UK where it peaked at #29 and contained the band's first UK Top 40 single, a remake of KC & the Sunshine Band's...
.
At this time Linda decided that she wasn't enjoying what she was doing, so she decided to leave University and give music a try. She knew that she could harmonize well with Vika, but she wasn't sure whether she was a good enough singer in her own right, but she joined Vika in Sophisticated Boom Boom
Sophisticated Boom Boom
Sophisticated Boom Boom is the debut album by the British pop group Dead or Alive, released in 1984. Containing mostly synth pop and dance elements, the record was a minor success in the UK where it peaked at #29 and contained the band's first UK Top 40 single, a remake of KC & the Sunshine Band's...
in 1987. During that time Vika also took the opportunity to gig with other bands including John Justin and Thunderwings and The Blue Tomatoes.
After that they formed their own band called The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners is an American situation comedy television show, based on a recurring 1951–'55 sketch of the same name. It originally aired on the DuMont network's Cavalcade of Stars and subsequently on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show hosted by Jackie Gleason, and filmed before a live...
. Around this time Linda met Justin (who was the percussionist in Bachelors From Prague), and they married in 1993. Also around that same time, Vika met John (who was the drummer with the James Reyne
James Reyne
James Reyne is an Australian rock musician and singer/songwriter both as a member of the iconic 1980s band Australian Crawl and solo work.. He is a successful singer/ songwriter and prolific artist...
band), and they married in 1997.
Their big musical break came in 1988 when Joe Camilleri
Joe Camilleri
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Camilleri, aka Jo Jo Zep or Joey Vincent, is an Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist. Camilleri has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows...
took the girls into The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows are an Australian band founded by Joe Camilleri, the group's only constant member. Founded in 1983, The Black Sorrows are still active today, and are best remembered for their top 40 Australian hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Hold On To Me", "Chained To The...
as backing singers - this is when the girls profile was raised. Vika was prominent on a couple of their big singles and their reputation grew. During their time with The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows
The Black Sorrows are an Australian band founded by Joe Camilleri, the group's only constant member. Founded in 1983, The Black Sorrows are still active today, and are best remembered for their top 40 Australian hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Hold On To Me", "Chained To The...
, they also performed on other people's songs - people such as Hunters and Collectors, John Farnham
John Farnham
John Peter Farnham, AO, formerly billed as Johnny Farnham , is an English-born Australian pop singer. He was a teen pop idol from 1964 to 1979, and has since forged a career as an adult contemporary singer. His career has mostly been as a solo artist although he briefly replaced Glenn Shorrock as...
, Seven Stories
Seven Stories (band)
Seven Stories was an Australian rock group formed in Adelaide, initially as Tall Stories, in 1986. The band was nominated as 'Best New Talent' at the 1991 Australian Record Industry Association Awards and signed to Sony , but disbanded in 1994 after its second full-length album release, Everything...
and Archie Roach
Archie Roach
Archie Roach is an Australian musician. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australians, a storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, and a nationally popular and respected artist.- Biography :In his own words,...
. Whilst working on the Archie Roach's album, they met and started working with Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
.
After 6 years with the Black Sorrows, they felt it was time to take the next logical step, which was to be lead singers in their own band. They had enough material and wanted the opportunity to perform it. So, in 1994, they left the Black Sorrows and took their music to audiences at places like The Esplanade and the Cherry Tree - at this time they were playing covers of Country songs and started to introduce their own songs into the sets. The reaction to their music was very positive and with that came confidence in what they were doing and they started refining the material for their first album.
Six months after having left the Black Sorrows, they released their debut album called Vika and Linda, as they tried to develop their own identities rather than be known as 'the girls from the Black Sorrows'. The album was produced by Paul Kelly and reaching gold status quickly and then certified platinum. The album was nominated for an Australian Music Award.
All the songs on the album were originals - Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
had offered them 12 tracks of which they recorded five. Three of the tracks written specifically for them, "When Will You Fall For Me' by Mark Seymour
Mark Seymour
Mark Seymour is an Australian musician and vocalist best known for his work as the frontman and songwriter of rock band Hunters & Collectors...
, "House Of Love" by Wayne Burt and "These Hands" by Eris O'Brien. For a limited time, there was a bonus disc that came with the album, which contained some gospel songs.
In 1995, they went touring around Europe with their band, and during their month in England, they spent a week at Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
's studio recording their next album called The Mouth Of The River. They were invited to England to take part in the World of Recording Week, which was part of a WOMAD event (World Of Music Art and Dance).
They then started work on their next album, which they were going to co-produce with Diesel
Johnny Diesel
Johnny Diesel is an Australian musician, who has released material as leader of Johnny Diesel & the Injectors, under his birth name, or by the epithet Diesel...
and Jeremy Allom. This album was mostly material that they had written along with collaborators such as Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
, Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
, Michael Barker
Michael Barker
Lieutenant-General Michael George Henry Barker CB, DSO was a British Army general.-Military career:Barker, born 1884 in Wells District, Somerset, served in the Militia during the Second Boer War before accepted a commission in The Lincolnshire Regiment in 1903...
(their drummer), and Diesel
Johnny Diesel
Johnny Diesel is an Australian musician, who has released material as leader of Johnny Diesel & the Injectors, under his birth name, or by the epithet Diesel...
. The recording of the album, Princess Tabu took place in Melbourne, Sydney and Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
. Along with the album is a bonus live disc (recorded at the Continental) which contains live acoustic versions of songs from the Vika and Linda, Mouth of the River and Princess Tabu albums.
In the following two years, which the sisters used for gigging, writing new material, each of them also gave birth to daughters, Vika's daughter is called Mafi and Linda's is Tapana.
In 1999 came the release of Two Wings an album of spiritual songs. The album was produced by Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
and Renée Geyer
Renée Geyer
Renée Rebecca Geyer is an Australian singer who has long been regarded as one of the finest exponents of jazz, soul and R&B idioms. She had commercial success as a solo artist in Australia, with "It's a Man's Man's World", "Heading in the Right Direction" and "Stares and Whispers" in the 1970s and...
and contains songs penned by such people as Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
, Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
, Archie Roach
Archie Roach
Archie Roach is an Australian musician. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australians, a storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, and a nationally popular and respected artist.- Biography :In his own words,...
and Tim Rogers
Tim Rogers
Tim Rogers is the frontman of Australian rock band You Am I. He is also a solo artist, as well as having fronted and released albums with bands The Twin Set and The Temperance Union.-History:...
.
In 2000, they brought out another album, Live and Acoustic, which is almost a 'best of' collection, and it contains all live tracks recorded at the Continental Hotel. They co-produced the album with their longtime friend and guitarist, Jeff Burstin.
In 2001, Vika and Linda were released by Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
despite still having two albums left on their contract. The basic reason for their release was that Mushroom couldn't fit the girls into a category that they market. The sisters were happy to take control of their careers and to be responsible for the direction they choose to move in. They now have the load of promoting themselves and the distribution of their music, though Mushroom still hold their back catalogue.
In 2002 they bought out their next album entitled Love Is Mighty Close which is more of a country/blues record. The twelve tracks were all written by Australian artists such as Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
, Chris Wilson, Cyndi Boste, Rob Snarski and Dan Brodie
Dan Brodie
Dan Brodie is an ARIA Award nominated singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia.His debut EP, I'm Floatin' Mama was independently released in 1998; followed by his debut album, Big Black Guitar. Backed by The Broken Arrows , Brodie signed to EMI who re-released his debut album...
.
Since the release of Love Is Mighty Close, the sisters have been concentrating more on their gospel roots. They altered the band replacing Jeff Burstin with Dion Hirini. They performed a three month residency at the Cornish Arms where they played and recorded many gospel tunes. The result of those gigs was the album Tell The Angels which was released in 2004.
Since that time, the sisters have taken a break from music, during which Linda gave birth to her second daughter, Emmikiki. They have now started gigging again allowing for Linda to spend more time as a mother. They have also opened their own shop in North Fitzroy called 'Hoochie Coochie'.
Albums
- Vika and Linda - Mushroom RecordsMushroom RecordsMushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
(1994) Platinum - Mouth of the River - Mushroom (1995)
- Princess Tabu - Mushroom Records (1997) Gold
- Two Wings - Mushroom (1999)
- Live and Acoustic - Mushroom (2000)
- Love is Mighty Close - Independent (2002)
- Tell The Angels - Independent (2004)
- Between Two Shores - Liberation Blue (2006)
Singles
- "When Will You Fall For Me" - Mushroom (1994) AUS #51
- "House of Love"/"Ninety Nine Years" - Mushroom (1994) AUS #98, NZ #32
- "Hard Love"/"Saved" - Mushroom (1994) AUS #81
- "We've Started A Fire"
- "Love Comes Easy"/"Princess Tabu"/"The Long Walk" - Mushroom (1996)
- "Grandpa's Song" (1997) Promotional release only
- "Caution"/"Take It Easy" (1999)