Natty Sistren Sound

Biography

As Australias original all-female sound, Natty Sistren emerged on the scene as true reggae underground favourites. With a style embedded firmly in dancehall and heavyweight roots, they have rammed up Melbourne audiences since their conception in 2003. Armed with 2 turntables and a microphone, Natty Sistren perform in a traditional reggae soundsystem style, delivering a high energy show of jamaican riddims coupled with live vocals.

Whilst they performed exclusively under the Natty Sistren banner over the last few years, Sista Itations and Vida-Sunshyne are no strangers to the scene. Sista Itations has enjoyed a solo career as a reggae selector since 2001, having performed at venues all over Melbourne. This lead to 3 residencies (with Jesse I and Ras Crucial) including Ruff Enuff, and Mash It Up.

Vida-Sunshyne has an extensive resume, including collaborations with the likes of Chant Down Sound, Diafrix, Illzilla and Melbourne based producer Jake Savona. Savona featured her track “Ras Woman” on his highly anticipated release “Melbourne Meets Kinston” , which has been followed with outstanding reviews. Vida has warmed the stage for reggae greats such as Burning Spear (2000) and Ranking Joe (2004), toured in Manchester UK as feature vocalist for Nintin Sawney’s hip hop/ragga collaboration experiment entitled The Aftershock Project. In 2004, she joined forces with producer Dutch from Dutch and Xcise, and they have been collaborating in the studio since.

Natty Sistren have been spotted at venues such as The Espy, The Corner Hotel, The Evelyn, Prince of Wales, Federation Square, The Victorian Arts Centre, The Laundry, First Floor, Brown Alley & Northcote Social Club. They have featured as support for the likes of reggae legends Tippa Irie, Luciano, Mikey General, Horace Andy, Ziggy Marley and Jnr Reid.

In 2006 Natty Sistren debued their first residency “Pressure Drop” at Laundry, Fitzroy held every fourth Saturday of every month. The night has quickly established itself as one of Melbourne’s favourite dancehall nights, and after 2 years is still gaining hype and ever growing audiences.

2007 took Natty Sistren to a whole new level when they took their sound interstate, touring with Australian band “Blue King Brown” as part of their “Stand Up” East Cost Tour, where they were well received by new audiences. And as part of their on-going mission to spread the reggae message far and wide, Natty Sistren have performed headline shows at Brisbane’s “Island Time Festival” and Perth’s “Northbridge Festival" and Adelaide's "Fringe Festival".

With more works in the pipeline Natty Sistren are a sound to watch for as they continue to spread universal reggae vibes across the nation and beyond...

Members: Vida-Sunshyne (MC/Singer) & Sista Itations (Selector)

Monthly Gig: Pressure Drop - 4th Saturday of every month at Laundry, 50 Johnston Street Fitzroy.