Aluka with the Trifecta

“If they get any better, I am definitely going to have to fire them” – Clare Bowditch

L-R: Rachael Head, Annabelle Tunley, Sally Mortensen

Great voices, great music, and great smiles. Aluka – a Melbourne-based, all female vocal trio – seem to have everything covered when it comes to putting on a great show.

The Indigo crew were lucky enough to catch their performance on Saturday of the Queenscliff Music Festival. Sitting in the dining room of the beautiful Vue Grand Hotel, it seemed fairly obvious that everyone was feeling some sort of emotional connection to the three lovely ladies serenading us.

Aluka brings to the table music obviously inspired by jazz, shown by their use of scat singing that appears in between their emotional lyrics, as well as beautiful harmonies and a variety of different time signatures.

Aluka during our interview. L-R: Annabelle, Rachael and Sally

The indigo crew sat down with them for an interview after the performance, and found out that the majority of songs were written from their own experiences, a fact one could easily assume considering the emotional nature of the music.

Another drawing factor is their balance of attention. It becomes very clear through the performance that this is a band with no lead vocalist. And to make sure that there is no confusion, not only do they all swap from melody to harmony in each song, but every performance they change the order of where they’re standing as well. It is a truly equal and balanced contribution from all three.

I know what you’re still wondering. What the hell does Aluka mean?! We asked them that exact same question. “We actually made it up. Just put the words together and made it up.” Never fear though, because “an African language” has come to save the day. In Annabelle’s own articulate words, “it means, like, to weave…” A particularly relevant meaning, considering what these women make when they weave their voices together.

Shock all round as Eitan proposes to Rachael during the interview

We also managed to gather the fact that they’re wearing wigs in their tour currently with Clare Bowditch, but that was all they would give us.

Before our final question, yours truly settled his nerves, and asked Rachael to marry him with a beautiful and original poem. To find out what she answered, listen to the interview. We’d love to get your comments as to whether my poem was worthy of an answer, slash, should we get married.

And finally, our final question: If you had to give one piece of advice (each) to struggling musos trying to get their sound heard, what would it be?

“Make as many connections as you can” – Sally Mortensen
“Take every gig you’re given, even if you think it’s too little or not quite you” – Rachael Head
“Find your niche, and market that niche” – Annabelle Tunley

Oh yeah, and if anyone has Rachael’s number, she forgot to give it to me so you know what to do… it’s not weird…

Aluka
Vue Grand Hotel @ QMF
Saturday 28th November
4.30-5.30pm

Buy Aluka’s EP online from YouLoveRandom
Aluka myspace