Description
They’re Australia’s most revered singing sisters, known for their rich vocal harmonies and stylistic breadth. And while still celebrating the release of their first ever best-of collection (and first ARIA #1 album) ‘Akilotoa (Anthology 1996-2004), Vika and Linda Bull have wasted no time in following up with an inspired album of gospel songs, titled Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso).
Sunday was brought about by the pandemic lockdown. As isolation began, Vika & Linda decided that they needed to keep on singing, and with just one gospel song live on social media on a Sunday morning back in March they were able to stay in touch and give something back to their faithful fans. And so, Sunday Sing Song was born from the loungeroom, usually with one musical friend accompanying via video link.
The sisters’ love of gospel began while attending church as children in suburban Melbourne, listening to the Tongan choir with their mother, and after church exploring their Dad’s record collection, which included Mahalia Jackson and Elvis Presley singing gospel. “Gospel is a genre we know we can do faithfully,” says Linda Bull. “It doesn’t feel laboured for us, it feels like a release and when we sing these songs, we feel better. And when that happens, hopefully people will feel the same way,” she adds.
Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) is a careful selection of songs that move them, including compositions going back to the 1930s but with lyrics that still feel as relevant as ever in 2020. Every song on the album was unearthed from their own collections, as well as recommendations from trusted musical friend Paul Kelly, with the exception of ‘Shallow Grave’, which was written especially for Vika & Linda by Kasey Chambers.
