Vika & Linda | Long Play Series

The vocal harmonies of sister duo Vika & Linda are one of the most recognised sounds in Australian music. Taught by their mother to sing in harmony, Vika and Linda Bull performed at their local Tongan church in Melbourne in the 1970s. In 1988, they rose to fame as the backing vocalists of Joe Camilleri’s blues-rock band, The Black Sorrows. After performing for six years and winning Best Group at the ARIA Awards in 1990, they left the band and released their self-titled debut studio album in 1994, which reached No. 7 on the ARIA Charts and became certified double platinum.
Over almost four decades, the pair have adorned the stage and studio with some of the country’s best artists including Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Renée Geyer and Kasey Chambers. As a duo they have released seven studio albums, four live albums, and their first No. 1 anthology, ‘Akilotoa (2020). By exploring numerous genres such as rock, country, soul, and gospel, Vika & Linda are renowned for their versatility yet distinct sound.
In 2016, they received a Special Recognition Award at the Pacific Music Awards, were inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2019 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022.
In this interview, Vika & Linda discuss embracing their Tongan heritage and its impact on their music career, recording Paul Kelly’s song ‘I Know Where to Go to Feel Good’ with Iggy Pop at Peter Gabriel’s recording studio in London, and returning to music after raising their children.
Interviewer: Brian Nankervis
Location: Bakehouse Studios, Richmond, 2022

[@michaelmanger8640]

These ladies bring a special something to the world of music. Their bond is phenomenal. Many happy memories with these two. LONG LIVE THE BULL SISTERS! 💝

[@Eskay1206]

Australian Legends. absolutely fantastic

[@tinkat2208]

I saw Vika singing at the Red Eagle in Port Melbourne , amazing

[@inncogneato6341]

Thank you for the wonderful enchanting interview.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thank you for tuning in.

[@jwtfpv8957]

Awesome interview!

[@verandahmeander]

Brilliant. Black Sorrows is on high rotation here; fell in love with Vika and Linda's music and brightness during lockdown on RUclips. To fall on this today is pure gold. Thank you all, and your behind the scene teams, for providing such a fascinating glimpse into the connectiveness between many Australian musicians that I admire.

[@PaulAndrew430]

The Rise is astonishing

[@missmichelle900]

Love Vika and Linda! Love Bakehouse rehearsals x

[@user-qg9ps4cc9z]

Great interview thanks Brian I love the Bull Sisters

[@CatsandJP]

Great interview very interesting and nice to see such a relaxed interview, but sad Renee has passed now. This should be a standard for interviews.

[@radiowrjp9201]

Fantastic interview all round - V&L have a wonderful store of life and music experience to share and Brian let's them shine. Sensational, looking forward to the book

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Well said. Thanks for watching!

[@Larry-Art179]

😊

[@MrTimcoronel]

at Bakehouse?

[@australianmusicvault4604]

We love your eagle eye, Tim! This Long Play Series interview was indeed filmed at Bakehouse Studios.

[@daringarner3306]

𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓶