Author Archives: Natalie Harker

MY FRIEND

By Natalie Harker | Published: June 6, 2010

Mama Kin: Vocals
Brother Michael Caruana: Piano

How many times have I been on that ledge
And you talk me back down
Yeah you talk me back down

How many times have I been on the edge
And you pull me around
Yeah you pull me around

And you open your mouth and out come the angels
That keep me afloat
Yeah they keep me afloat

How many times have I cried out for help
Water’s filling my boat

And you are my friend
You are my friend
Right to the end
You are my you are my friend
Right to the end
You are my you are my you are my friend

First time I saw you was with fishing pole
It was slung on your back
It was slung on your back

And…

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YOUR COLOUR

By Natalie Harker | Published: May 30, 2010

Written by Danielle Caruana
Danielle Caruana: vocals, piano
Weather pattern Fremantle 11:17pm 9th July 2009: Rain and Thunder

The silence pushes into me
I am struck by it’s amnesty
But every time I think I got you pegged
You change your colour again

Up and down and to and fro
Round and round we go go go
I don’t know if this just might end
Cos you changed your colour again

You’re a chameleon
But there’s no need to hide now
I found you
And I’m not gonna let you go

Kids are asleep and the dog is fed
Dishes are done and my books all read
Now my footsteps echo in the hall
And I miss your colour most of all

You’re a masterpiece
You’re the finest
Divinest
I’d sit a lie…

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Mama Kin born into music – The West Australian SIMON COLLINS

By Natalie Harker | Published: March 5, 2010

Danielle Caruana remembers her first gig when, as a seven-year-old, she asked to sing at her dad’s 50th birthday and promptly delivered a cute version of Bonnie Raitt’s Louise – a cheerless number about a prostitute who dies alone and unloved.

While she may have been oblivious then, today Caruana is mortified.

“I sang with a smile on my face,” she laughs from the Fremantle home she shares with husband John Butler, daughter Banjo and son Jahli, whom she bounces on her knee during our interview.

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The Independent Weekly – STEVE EVANS

By Natalie Harker | Published: March 3, 2010

On the basis of Mama Kin’s Papoose EP, the audience at Womadelaide is in for a treat when she takes to the stage. Her recording shows a solid bluesy base that highlights her capacity to create different and intriguing moods. Born Danielle Caruana, there’s no obvious sign of her Maltese heritage in these tracks. She says it is soul and roots music that moves her most, and the signs of that outlook are evident.

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Love Shared with Mama Kin – News Unlimited

By Natalie Harker | Published: February 15, 2010

Words and Photos: Kate Scantleton

It isn’t often that we see bands that truly seem as though the music runs through their veins. Mama Kin and her band proved to be one of these lucky few tonight, allowing us to participate in the cleansing ritual of her set. The hot and steamy Zoo was the best place for this ritual to take place; the modesty and welcoming nature of the venue sincerely complimented the sounds and love that was being shared amongst performers and audience.

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Heartache & Melody – Dom Alessio, Triple J Home’n’Hosed

By Natalie Harker | Published: January 11, 2010

Danielle Caruana must have gone through one shitty relationship. Under her nom de plume Mama Kin, her first single ‘Tore My Heart Out’ is Danielle’s story of not being able to let go of a former lover, even though he continues to break her heart. Mama Kin paints a melancholic picture, asking with equal measures of sadness and bewilderment: “You tore my heart out / Why’d you do that for?” But then comes the first verse: “I turned to you and said ‘No siree’ when you said ‘Hey you’ll be coming back to me’.” We find out in the next verse that she acquieses: “I put up my blinkers and I clicked my heels / My hungry little heart thought you were for real.”

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Interview with Sonya Feldhoff ABC Radio – Adelaide

By Natalie Harker | Published: January 1, 2010

Mama Kin is being hailed as this year’s next big thing in music. Adelaide audiences will get a chance to hear her brand of soul – a new Orleans style of stomping swamp music – when she appears at Womad  in March. In anticipation of the music festival that continues to gain popularity each year in South Australia, 891 Drive spoke with Mama Kin, AKA Danielle Caruana. Mama Kin reveals how she’s become true to her musical style only since having children. She also explains how vital the influence has been of her successful musical family, including husband John Butler.

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Rave Magazine

By Natalie Harker | Published: November 17, 2009

Eclectic West Australian songstress MAMA KIN is slowly becoming a feature at festivals around the country. She catches up with YUMI SED as she prepares for the Mullum Music Festival.

Mama Kin delivers primal swampy soul with ease and grace. It’s therefore surprising to learn that music took quite a while to find her, despite being exposed to music from a young age. While she has come to music late in life, she has also come to music with a family in tow. I start off by asking how she manages her hectic festival schedule and life as a mum. “It’s an unsuccessful juggle most of the time,” Mama Kin laughs. “And a lot of hard work. I have a lot of festival stuff so I can go away briefly and then come back and then go away again, so it’s not for too long.”

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Jo Duffy Artistic Director, Darwin Festival

By Natalie Harker | Published: June 23, 2009

“Mama Kin captivated us, entranced us and made us fall in love.” – Jo Duffy Artistic Director, Darwin Festival

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Vikki Thorn, The Waifs

By Natalie Harker | Published: June 23, 2009

“Mama Kin has a voice that soothes and soars, she got bittersweet melody and groove in her soul.” – Vikki Thorn, The Waifs.

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Carlo Santone, Blue King Brown

By Natalie Harker | Published: June 23, 2009

“..great songs and a great voice that make you feel so damn good.” – Carlo Santone, Blue King Brown

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Hit Pick, The Music Network

By Natalie Harker | Published: June 23, 2009

“Mama Kin aims straight for the heart with her roots fuelled music.  A smoky voice made for soul, she’ll transport you straight to an underground New Orleans bar, cigar and glass of red in hand.”  – Hit Pick, The Music Network

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  • Upcoming shows

    • 11th
      Feb
       Fly By Night
      Fremantle, WA
      Mama Kin Tour Dates
    • 9th
      Mar
       Port Fairy Folk Festival
      Port Fairy
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    • 10th
      Mar
       Port Fairy Folk Festival
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    • 11th
      Mar
       Port Fairy Folk Festival
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    • 16th
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    • 17th
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       WOMAD NZ
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       The Famous Spiegeltent
      Melbourne, VIC
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       Sunset Pictures
      Broome, WA
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       Darwin Ski Club
      Darwin, NT
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       Blues Fest
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    • 12th
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       Civic Theatre
      Newcastle, NSW
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    • 13th
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       Canberra Theatre Centre
      Canberera, ACT
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