Sister Act a Feature by phair (purple hair) SIS is Melia and Nerida Naughton. Two sisters from Tasmania who, like countless others, formed a band. To their delight, the duo managed to get national airplay when they were unearthed by Tripple J last year. Phair catches up with them a year later... Melia Naughton came alone to the interview fifteen minutes late with an apologetic smile on her face. Twenty years old with a stunning voice and dark kohl rimmed eyes, she is one half of the all female musical band SIS which was unearthed by Triple J last year. There were a few domestic problems she charmingly explained. Nerida, the other half of the group and also her 15 year old sister, was also sick, but stated that she would try to make it later. As a band, Melia and Nerida Naughton had their first publicised gig on the 15th September 1996. However, after only a few weeks performing around Hobart SIS had its national debut on air with Triple J's Unearthed competition. Since then they had a concert at the Theater Royal sponsored by the ABC and Triple J, been approached by SONY, made a three track record in Brisbane and played at this year's Basin Concert in Launceston, just to name a few. They had always been very musical as children. Melia herself had composed music since she was seven years old. At high school, there were also times when the two sisters had the entire assembly gobsmacked as they performed at various functions and events. When asked what the impetus was in coming together as a band Melia states "It's been a passion since day one I think. I've always wanted to be a performer. And being in school musicals and being up on the stage for me personally, and like wise for Neri, was something that I really wanted to do. I guess I was driven to perform...I loved it and to actually go out and play to an audience who are receptive and who want to listen, god, what more could you want?... I suppose being sisters we also harmonise quite well...It used to be quite natural too. We'd be writing something on the guitar... or one of us would get inspired to write something while brushing our teeth and we'd both rush to our instruments." The two sisters were always very close. However, after a year, there seem to be a few rumblings within their relationship. "There is huge friction." Melia admits. "I mean, we get along really well ninety percent of the time but the ten percent is hellish... I have a real problem in that, you know, I get the inspiration to practice and Neri goes 'No. I'm sorry, I'm heading out.'" Lately, they've been spending time away from each other, although mainly due to geographical factors. Nerida, being only fifteen is still at high school, where as Melia is now based in Melbourne. However, it seems that the seperation has been better for the band musically. "I'm quite surprised at the rate its been evolving. Just the time away from each other, like we've had three months where we haven't been together and comeing back together in these last couple of weeks has been fantastic." As for where their music will go in the future, Melia answers "I don't even know what it's going to sound like in a couple of months let alone a year or the year after that. I think it's kind of a long term thing." Created on Mon, 22 Sep 1997 and last modified on Sat, 25 Oct 1997.

LOUDonline - http://www.loud.net.au - Fri, 10 Apr 1998