Her raw and rootsy, soulful mix of blues, country, folk and reggae reflects her
upbringing as the youngest of 6 children whose diverse musical tastes filled their
home with the sounds of Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, The Police, Stevie Wonder, Joan
Armatrading, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Dean Martin and
the traditional Maltese Folk songs of her musician father. Having distilled these
influences into a musical style that reflects other, more recent sources of inspiration,
including Gillian Welch, Jolie Holland, Feist, Clare Bowditch, Zap Mama, Erykah
Badu, and Emiliana Torrini, Mama Kin’s musical spirit is richly feminine, but
it pulses to the beat of an unshakeable groove and rhythmic heart.
BIG THANKS FOR MUSICAL INSPIRATION TO::::
Aretha Franklin,
Arrested Development,
Ali Farka Toure,
Amy Winehouse,
The Beatles,
Beck,
Ben Harper,
Billie Holliday,
Blue King Brown,
Bob Marley & The Wailers,
Bobbie McFerrin,
The Budos Band,
Buena Vista Social Club,
Chris Whitley,
Clare Bowditch and The Feeding Set,
Coldplay,
Custom Kings,
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley,
Dan Sultan,
De La Soul,
Desmond Dekker,
Doc Watson,
Dubbel Dub,
Ella Fitzgerald,
Emiliana Torrini,
Ernest Ranglin,
Erykah Badu,
The Ethiopians,
Fat Freddy’s Drop,
Feist,
The Fugees,
G Love and The Special Sauce,
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings,
GIT,
Gurrumul (Geoffrey Yunipingu),
J. J. Cale,
Jack Johnson,
Joan Armatrading,
John Butler Trio,
Johnny Cash,
Jolie Holland,
Kaki King,
Kelly Joe Phelps,
Kev Carmody,
Louis Armstrong,
Louis Prima,
Manu Chau,
Massive Attack,
Michael Franti,
Mista Savona,
Nicole Willis,
Nina Simone,
Nitin Sawhney,
Paul Kelly,
Paul Simon,
Pigram Brothers,
The Police,
Portishead,
Prince,
Radiohead,
Ray Charles,
Red Hot Chilli Peppers,
Regina Spektor,
Rokia Traoré,
The Roots,
Ross Hannaford Trio,
Sister Nancy,
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings,
Son House,
Spearhead,
Stevie Wonder,
Susannah Espie,
Taj Mahal,
Tiddas,
Tommee,
Toots and the Maytals,
Tracey Chapman,
Trinity Roots,
Victoriana Gaye and Raggie,
The Waifs,
Wyclef Jean,
Zap Mama
Under Cover of Racist Myth
Its banks secured in the warmth of the southern spring, Australia is not news. It ought to be. An epic scandal of racism, injustice and brutality is being covered up in the manner of apartheid South Africa. Many Australians conspire in this silence, wishing never to reflect upon the truth about their society's Untermenschen, the Aboriginal people. What is unique about Australia is not its sun-baked, derivative society, clinging to the sea, but its first people, the oldest on earth, whose skill and courage in surviving invasion, of which the current onslaught is merely the latest, deserve humanity's support. [John Pilger www.guardian.co.uk ]
Only 2 days left of recording!!! This has been a great adventure. I feel like I have been living in an alternate universe. My kids have been cared for with so much love by close friends and family, and I have been able to indulge in long days in the studio breathing life into my songs, with an amazing and committed and focused, and down right hilarious group of people.
But the big news today is that I get to finally announce my next gig... We are very excited to let ya’ll know that we will be playing at the Darwin Festival this year... I have been busting to share this news for the longest time because we had such and AMAZING gig there earlier in the year in support of The Waifs. It was a highlight of our tour. So we are coming back!!
15th August 6:30pm Darwin Festival, The Lighthouse Tickets $20/$15 ph: 08 8980 3333
We would love to see you there, so all you Darwinites come on along for an evening with Mama Kin, and if you don’t live in Darwin but know someone who does please spread the good word!
So back to the recording.. 3 songs left to get down.. Been so proud of what we are capturing. Something about living and eating together while recording has really been conducive to creating a cohesive sound between us all. I was really nervous about doing all my vocal tracks, but being able to sing at the same time as George and Brother Michael are laying down the gold in the other room has been really liberating, and has taken so much pressure off for me.
Ok signing off.. See ya. Big love
MAMA KIN LIVE PERFORMANCES
Check out this live video from Mama Kin performing at the HI FAR bar in Melbourne in FEB 09. View more live video performances of Mama Kin check out the videos page on the website click here
Mama Kin’s sound is steeped in New Orleans smoky swamp tradition, and the music with its stomping piano groove, is an expression of Rhythm And Blues at its most literal interpretation. Back on home ground after European and American support and festival tours last year, treading the very same theatre boards as her heroes have done for half a century, Mama Kin is here to let the cat out of the bag. There’s something primal and infectious about soul when it’s played like this. On stage with Brother Michael she delivers a dynamic, raw and intimate show. With an impressive line up of Australian festivals showcasing this artist in 2009, don’t miss an opportunity to see this chanteuse perform live..
“...this years ‘next big thing’ at the Woodford Folk Festival. My festival highlight.” Sarah Howells. Roots N All. Triple J
“Mama Kin has a voice that soothes and soars, she got bittersweet melody and groove in her soul. Damn it, she got the 'THANG'.” Vikki Thorn. Singer Songwriter. The Waifs.
“... the sheer strength of her voice and her throaty tones cut right through the Fremantle Doctor. Roots Cabaret…undeniably unique.” - Faster Louder (Fremantle Arts Centre)
“Mama Kin, has a voice that belongs someway back in the 1960s, in the sense that it is full, smoky and rich in tone. On stage with her brother Michael, she is captivating, entertaining and extremely talented.” Stephen Lowe. Culture Magazine. Luxembourg
“….melancholic soul. A classy woman with a great voice.” Eva Louis. Review Archive. Munich Germany
“A breath of fresh air with her sassy diva attitude. Accompanied by her smiling big brother Michael Caruana ..board and stomp box it was clear that there was a great affection and love of performing between these two.”Faster Louder (Jive. Adelaide)
“Every now and then you come across a classic, timeless artist like Mama Kin, and you remember the main reason why music can be so amazing – because great songs and a great voice make you feel so damn good! Mama Kin encompasses all that is good about music.” Carlo Santone, Blue King Brown.
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival 2009
West Coast Blues & Roots Festival 2009
Touring Australia in support of Ani Di Franco and The Waifs 2009
Woodford Folk Festival 2008/2009
Touring Australia in support of Andy Bull 2008
Festival Les Oceaniques Tarnos France 2008
Free Music Festival Montendre France 2008
Furia Festival Cergy France 2008
Touring Canada, USA, France, Luxembourg, Holland and Germany in support of The John Butler Trio 2008
This film clip was made by Glass Kingdom Films! Please visit www.belladonnathemovie.com to see their feature film to be released later this year with Lamplight appearing in the film and on the sound track!
Yep!!! une nouvelle vidéo (fête de la musique Montpellier) est sur notre page, si tu as aimé notre prestation, tu peux
voter pour nous pour les révélations 2009,
not to sound mean but who cares in the end if you get to triple j no one,you are very talented at what you do and you have many people that love what you do .. keep it real sister i love your sound
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