The making of
Vika & Linda


Vika & Linda
In making their debut album Vika and Linda adopted the principle that to have a record sound like fun, you should record it in the same manner. They wanted a record dressed in comfortable and practical clothes. A record you could laugh and dance to, not one dressed in the plaster, curls and high heels of a masked ball.

To this end they sought the assistance of Paul Kelly to produce the album and surround themselves in the studio with a compliment friends; all accomplished musicians. The result is an intimacy with the band and arrangements that is sympathetic to both the songs and the singers.

Paul Kelly joined Vika and Linda at the beginning of the album, contributing a few songs and accompanying music for others. Together with Kelly, Vika and Linda refined song choices and arrangements. Thus when time came to record the only duty was to simply sing the songs in a direct manner unencumbered by heavy harmonies or large production values. Kelly imbued in Vika and Linda further confidence in their own abilities.

Vika and Linda selected songs
for their record from those offered by composers whose work they respected. The songs were chosen for lyrical and melodic qualities rather than to fit any particular style and unlike an act that writes all of their album, the common thread here is the voices of Vika and Linda.

The tracks run across the spectrum of musical style. The album is neither country, blues or soul. There remains the inspiration of reggae (We've Started A Fire, Hard Love), rock (When Will You Fall For Me, House of Love), ballads (Sacred Things, The Blue Hour) and pop (I Know Where To Go To Feel Good, 99 Years). There is also a strident gospel boogie (I Didn't Know Love Could Be Mine) and the rollicking Polynesian lilt In These Hands.

The album has so far been released in two countries: Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it went straight into the top 10 at No. 7 and has reached Platinum- 70 000 units sold. Eight months after release it re-entered the top 20.

Following a promotional visit Radio New Zealand made Vika and Linda album of the month. Since performing in New Zealand recently the album has gone back into the charts at number 16 nationally.