Vika & Linda

Singing sisters Vika and Linda Bull drew on their combined Tongan and Australian roots to shape a distinctive fusion of world music. Prior to gaining widespread recognition as featured vocalists with the Black Sorrows, the pair had already performed with Sophisticated Boom Boom and the Sacred Hearts of Sweet Temptation. In 1988 Vika issued two solo singles, “Living Hell” and “My House,” before the siblings joined forces for their first full-length release, Vika & Linda. The record served as an inviting showcase that drew on contributions from an array of leading Australian songwriters such as Paul Kelly, Stephen Cummings, Joe Camilleri, Nick Smith, Mark Seymour, Nick Barker, and Wayne Burt.

Their follow-up, At the Mouth of the River, appeared on Peter Gabriel’s Real World imprint. During a 1996 journey back to Tonga—the homeland of their mother—the sisters met King Taufa’ahu Tupou, an encounter that directly inspired the culturally rooted album Princess Tabu. That project incorporated vocals from the Mosi Mosi Kava Club and other prominent Tongan musicians while also spotlighting Australian collaborators including Paul Kelly, Tim Finn, Barry Palmer, Michael Barker, and Diesel; it was tracked in England under the guidance of Massive Attack producer Jeremy Allom.

Beyond their own projects, Vika & Linda lent their voices to recordings by numerous established Australian artists such as John Farnham, Hunters & Collectors, Ross Wilson, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, and Noiseworks. Two Wings arrived in 1999, with Live & Acoustic following the next year.