Uncategorized

Vika Bull – The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye

GaynorApril 30, 2015

For 25 years, the glorious voices of Vika and Linda Bull have comprised one of the most distinctive, versatile and emotionally charged sounds on the Australian music landscape. Since their multi-platinum conquest of pop radio with the Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, the sisters have forged diverse pathways into soul, gospel, blues, country and the island music of their Tongan ancestry.

By turns tender and powerful, their rich solo vocals and instinctive harmonies have spawned eight albums of their own, as well as illuminating studio and concert performances by Paul Kelly, Renee Geyer, John Farnham, Hunters & Collectors, Tim Finn, Kasey Chambers, John Butler and many more. Born of a Tongan mother and Australian father, Vika and Linda have been singing together for as long as they can remember. (from their website).

Now, excitingly, Vika will be singing together with Lloyd Cele in The Life and Music of Marvin Gaye at Joburg Theatre from 7 – 16 May 2015. 

These two fine voices are perfectly suited to bring you the life and music of Marvin Gaye and the women in his career.

Vika Bull sings I’d Rather Go Blind as part of The Etta James Story in The Sydney Opera House.

Your character is an amalgam of the three main women in Marvin’s life; Tammy Tyrell, Diana Ross and Anna Gordy. How interesting is it to play these three influential women all in one show?

I am telling their story not acting. I am singing Tammi’s parts and Diana’s parts and Kim Weston’s parts as well. Marvin sang a lot of duets with different women but I think Tammi was his favourite. Anna Gordy sounds like my type of women – a little bit fiesty – I like that.

Please describe the experience of supporting Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sting and Joe Cocker.

The experience was getting the opportunity to perform on very big stages with very big PA’s and performing in front of crowds that otherwise would probably never come to see me perform at all. Being able to watch these people work was incredible – a master class.

Is there anything specific you can tell us about the production of the Marvin Gaye story?

Marvin is a very important musician – someone everyone should know about. His music, his life and how he wrote about things that were happening around him and how they affected him. His songs are incredible and in the show we perform 24 of them.

Back in Australia you’re well known both in your own right as well as part of Vika and Linda. What’s it like to come to a country where you’re relatively unknown and take part in a show like this?

I am so excited to be given the opportunity to visit South Africa. I never thought I would ever be able to visit there – it is a dream come true. I am a little nervous.

Is this your first time in South Africa? And welcome to South Africa!

First time and thank you.

What specifically are you looking forward to with the South African audiences?

I have no idea – I hope they clap and dance and sing and laugh and cry. I like audiences that do that – that get involved and I am hoping the South African audiences will be like that.

Is there anything specific you would like to get across in this interview?

No – just come to the show and have fun.

Thankyou and I’m really looking forward to seeing the show!

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you.

THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE: on The Mandela stage from May 7th to May 16th 2015.

Read our interview with Lloyd Cele here and our interview with producer Simon Myers here. 

Get social!