Anamieke of Treasurefruit
Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | INDIE
Music
Press
Every year an extraordinary singer tends to stand out amongst the others, often for the possession of a lithe, ethereal voice. Anamieke of Treasurefruit has all that but she brings an extra splash of feistiness. Her band’s 2015 release, Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert, combines Anamieke’s scintillating vocal styles with some serious (and seriously fun) rocknroll. Tresurefruit’s been playing the local circuit for several years now so we’ve been waiting on this debut release for some time. Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert fuses sultry with Sonoran for a bluesy, pyschadelic sound uniquely suited to the dark bars of our dusty cities. And through it all is Anamieke’s singular vocal stylings as they move from playful and kittenish (“Giddy Up”) to pensive (“This Point in Time”) to heart-wrenching (“Burn Much Brighter”). She takes this year’s Songbird Award for that reason. Check out Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert here if you haven’t already. - Yab Yum Music and Arts
It feels like Treasurefruit has been playing around Arizona forever, and we’ve been chomping at the bit for them to get something down on record. The band is, and always has been, fronted by singer/songwriter Anamieke Quinn, whose stunning voice is on full display on their first full-length, Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert.
The album is crafted to make your heart feel good and put a smile on your face.
Drummer Ehren Stonner, guitarist Matt Ventre and bassist Brenden McBride join Quinn to produce a record that goes down easy while massaging the soul. While it does rock out in many places, it’s just got such a good vibe that goes down well with Sunday morning coffee, even when the guitar rages during “Teddy Bear’s Picnic.” Maybe it’s Quinn’s sultry, seductive vocal talent that provides a sense of warmth and luxury. It’s also the perfect album for the season—a cozy collection carefully crafted to make your heart feel good and put a smile on your face.
The catchy rhythm on “Darkside” feels especially good. There are plenty of great singles and upbeat rockers here, as well; “The Prey” and “Valley of the Light” instantly come to mind. Meanwhile, the title track has a great jazzy keyboard line that Ray Manzarek would love. “Giddy Up” is dripping with Southwestern sway, and would make a damn fine single. Meanwhile, “This Point in Time” has a great classic-rock feel, with some of Quinn’s best vocals at the forefront. The closing couplet of “Float Away” and “Burn Much Brighter” ushers the album out on notes of beauty, steeped heavily in Americana and self-reflection. - Java Magazine
Treasurefruit – "The Prey"
I've been holding on to this song for a while, and I'm tired of keeping it in my back pocket. "The Prey" is the opening track to Treasurefruit's debut album from late last year, Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert. Time got away from me in mentioning how great and infectious this song is, and I figured it was better late than never. Before this song was ever released on their album, this was always a live favorite and very often the perfect set closer. On this recording Treasurefruit is Anamieke Quinn (vocals/guitar), Matt Ventre (guitar), Ehren Stonner (drums), and Brenden McBride (bass). Of all of the songs from their debut, it's this one that will stick with you for, well, in this case months. It's catchy and seductive, and Quinn's vocals have never sounded better. The entire band is in top form here and keep in mind it's only the beginning of a fantastic album. There is a great guitar groove throughout the entire song, and in a rare instance, a guitar solo that I adore — it's not overplayed and it doesn't get out of hand. Still, as with the rest of the album, it's Quinn's stunning voice that is the shining star here. Treasurefruit will be playing at the Scottsdale Arts Festival this Sunday afternoon at the Fountain Stage, and they will certainly be playing this gem. - Phoenix New Times
9.Treasurefruit
If this is the first time you’ve heard Treasurefruit, don’t be surprised if you think you recognize the lead singer’s voice. It’s probably because there is a good chance you’ve heard it before. That’s Anamieke Quinn, and she and her guitar have spent years making the rounds, performing all over the Valley, from bars and clubs to festivals and special events. She’s been in different bands, as well. In this band, her voice moves like a smooth rollercoaster as she sings her tales, maneuvering through high and low notes while keeping a pervasive sultry softness throughout. - Phoenix New Times
Anamieke Quinn
Anamieke Is Singing To YOU!!
Phoenix, AZ
Recorded at The Scratchin’ Post, Whinfell Gardens, Innocenti Studios and USC Thornton School in Los Angeles // Produced by Anamieke Quinn
“Fresh and Folky, Swing and Sultry”: a more fitting mantra for this Phoenix native is not likely found anywhere. Luckily, it’s front and center on her website lest you forget. I still say “Crafty and Talented, Intoxicating and Entrepreneurial” could have worked, but that catchy phrase must have been taken. Quinn’s classical background (piano lessons and orchestral bass) and professional yodeling (with her mother) have provided the basis for what could be called her “vaudeville folk” style. Each track reeks of raw playfulness that will keep you humming, giggling and, most importantly, returning for further spins.
The opener, “Here I Come,” announces Quinn’s arrival with a cute, pop-punk energy the likes of the Go-Go’s. “Float Away” shows off Anamieke’s stylistic variety, hurling the occasional Afro-Cuban beat into a mix of creepy violin, cheap guitar and vocals that wrap you in a woolen blanket; warm, but prickly enough to keep you itchin’.
“Bite Me (The Cannibal Song)” is a delightful tale of meats we eat, including “indulg- ing of our neighbor’s ass,” all in the name of staying alive. The
song succeeds in describing how humans devour each other (figuratively, of course) just to get ahead. Hey, she didn’t invent the game, she simply enjoys “a carnivorous feast” once in awhile. Don’t we all?
The fitting cover, “Why Don’t Ya Do Right,” finds the lis- tener squinting to see Anamieke sunken behind a rickety stand- up piano in some old bar. The production even takes the lonely vibe a step further, eliminating any crowd or clattering dishes while providing an audio land- scape the size of my closet. The brilliantly abrupt ending even implies that Anamieke just got booted out of the club. I am positive that others will surely let Anamieke Quinn stay as long as she wants. (self-released) - Performer Magazine
Discography
"Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert" album by Treasurefruit (2015)
"The Ca Va Sessions" EP by Anamieke Quinn (2010)
"Anamieke Is Singing To YOU!!" album by Anamieke Quinn (2009)
Photos
Bio
Passionate, unusual and sultry are all adjectives thrown around to describe Anamieke Quinn performances, which draw comparisons to Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple, Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks. The Arizona songstress with a Dutch name (pronounced "Awn-uh-MEEK") is known for her unorthodox guitar style, carefully crafted lyrics and powerful vocal performances.
Songs feature a memorable melody woven into a quintessentially rhythmic and jazz-influenced guitar part, while the poignant and sometimes sultry lyrics range from intimate to grandiose, but always slice like a knife. Vocals nimbly sweep between sweet, tender moments and soulful anthems, with a little twang of the prairie in between.
Bearing an acoustic Martin or Taylor guitar, you’ll see her in small venues, festivals, streets and subways across the US singing her heart out with finger-picked accents and an occasional whistle break.
Following a string of solo acoustic tours came the 2010 Ca Va Sessions EP, recorded in Glasgow, Scotland at Ca Va Sound (home to Franz Ferdinand, Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura). It features simple solo guitar/vocals and includes the single "Ain't No Better Man".
Since its release, Anamieke formed the rock band Treasurefruit, who released their first full-length album, Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert in October 2015. She continues to write and perform as a solo artist, including outside collaborations.
When she's not fronting her own project, Anamieke moonlights as an upright bassist and backup vocalist for Ska artist Sara McAllister and runs Sidepony Music and its annual festival in Bisbee, AZ.
BACKGROUND
Raised in a musical family with heavy doses of jazz standards, symphonic music, Motown and psychedelic rock; Anamieke grew up playing piano casually and double bass competitively. In her early teens she began writing songs and eventually picked up the acoustic guitar to accompany herself. In college she put together a band called “Anamieke & The Elements” which survived several incarnations of exotic instrumentation and personnel for a few years.
As an independent singer/songwriter, Anamieke has opened for Brooklyn anti-folk heroes “Balthrop, Alabama” and Swedish jazz rappers “Movits!”, but will perhaps always be remembered in some circles for her participation in the infamous “Vegas ‘96” show where she joined Phish, John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Les Claypool and Larry LaLonde (Primus) and 4 Elvises as a yodeling cowgirl with an upright bass- an eventful night that is now available as a 2-disc cd/dvd boxed set.
The legacy of the yodeling cowgirls carried on to a new era in the mid otts when she was one-third of the vintage Western swing trio "Motel Arizona". Specializing in obscure and classic Western swing and singing cowboy music (Gene Autry, Patsy Montana, etc.). Motel Arizona traveled far and wide performing at folk festivals, cowboy poet gatherings, old time music festivals, saloons, honky-tonks and even an opera house under stagenames Hap, Squeak and Smiley. Eventually Anamieke (Squeak the yodelling cowgirl) put down the upright bass and jumped back in the saddle of solo-artistry, hitting the tour trail.
After a few solo tours and an EP release, Anamieke Quinn playing guesting with the Sara McAllister Band and other side projects. She eventually teamed up with guitarist Matt Ventre to form the rock band Treasurefruit, for whom she pens the songs. With the addition of drummer Ehren Stonner and bassist Brenden McBride, they released their debut album in late 2015. In recent years, she's done a handful of songwriting collaborations and guest performances with the drum/bass anchored musical collective Scattered Melodies, including the songs "All That You See" and "Research and Destroy".
In 2010, Anamieke was one of 5 finalists in the Taylor/Elixir Test Drive Acoustic contest, where she earned a brand new 414 guitar (thanks in no small part to the community of fans who showed their support). During that time she was also the Paris Blues Artist of the Month. While busking in Austin during SXSW, her photo was snapped and included in a star-studded collection of 50 festival highlights by acclaimed photog Jay Janner.
Over that last 6 years Anamieke, has cemented herself as a fixture of the Southwestern indie music circuit, and has performed at numerous festivals and special engagements, including a recent highlight of serving as musical guest for the final event of the celebrated SMoCA Lit Lounge series.
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