Artist description 'Fruit is an explosion of jazz, a splash of funk and a spritz of grooving harmonies. They are the next big sound from the land down under.'Rana Lehr, The Daily Herald, Utah, June 99A dynamic live performance band with a solid history of garnering an intrigued and dedicated fan base wherever they play. Three songwriters, three lead vocals - unstoppable interaction and charm on stage, Fruit move through an eclectic range of music from gentle ballads to grinding funk to sugary pop. The band has completed 5 international tours to date (Feb 2000), playing in 5 countries. Fruit is currently an independent, self-funded band.

Music Style Huge harmonies, high energy pop rock

Musical Influences Prince, Eurythmics, Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper, Sade, Colin Hay, Indigo Girls

Similar Artists Prince, Sade, Shirley Bassey, Ani Di Franco

Artist History “…the most successful independent band to come from South Australia in the last decade.” The Advertiser, Dec 1999Fruit began it’s life in June, 1995 as a group of 6 musicians – Mel Watson (lead vocals/horns), Sam Lohs (lead vocals, guitar), Susie Keynes (lead vocals, guitar), Miranda Bradley (lead vocals, 12 string guitar/mandolin), Jenna Bonavita (bass guitar/backing vocals) and Catherine Oates (stand up drums/backing vocals). At the inception, none of the members could have dreamt the incredible journey that lay ahead. After their first and only planned gig – at the Irish Club in Adelaide, South Australia - it became obvious that the group to perform more than once. An overwhelming response from the audience, offers for more bookings and the offer of financial backing for a debut CD, Fruit went on to produc what was to be a one-off, limited-edition, self-titled CD, “Fruit”.For the first year of the band’s life, everything seemed very easy. .Gigs fell into place, the debut CD fell into place and the audience grew in both number and enthusiasm. The next opportunity was to change the focus of the band from a locally performing group to one with eyes on the international market place; Fruit were invited to perform in North America after being seen at the International Women’s Conference in Adelaide, 1996. Like everything to date, Fruit grabbed the concept with gusto and set about fundraising and saving for the next 12 months. With a stirring sense of business, Fruit connected to the World Wide Web and searched for further opportunities to perform in North American. With the use of a keenly put together promo kit, Fruit secured a number of performance dates including The Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Musically progressing, Fruit also produced their second release, “Skin”, launched it 3 days before their flight, joined forces with their new manager and recent business mentor, Sue Arlidge and embarked on their first international tour to North America and Amsterdam.Upon returning to Australia, Fruit, realizing a shift in musical style, underwent a lineup change. In December 1997, Bonavita and Bradley left the band and Anthony Scott joined the group on Bass Guitar. This lineup went on to achieve enormous success internationally and grow in stature nationally. The new Fruit recorded a live album, “Shift” in 1998, which included 2 live tracks recorded in a blitz of a session at Sydney’s ABC Triple J Studios. Between January 1998 and October 1999, Fruit completed an outrageous 3 international tours. These trips included sellout shows in Edinburgh, UK, record breaking success at WOMAD, Seattle, exciting responses in Germany, North America and Brazil.In 2000, Fruit embark on a new chapter. Having parted ways with Anthony Scott (who has chosen a life as producer of both music and children), Fruit welcome the addition of Yanya Boston, moving in on drums, whilst Catherine Oates moves gracefully from drums to bass guitar. With the completion of their long awaited and 4th latest release, “Limited U.S Release”, Fruit leave for their 5th overseas adventure, taking in more of the North American scene with 32 shows in 7 weeks.The future beckons this unswervingly committed band…. watch this space.

Group Members Mel Watson (lead vocals/horns), Susie Keynes (lead vocals/acoustic and electric guitars), Sam Lohs (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Catherine Oates (bass guitar/vocals), Yanya Boston (drums/vocals)

Instruments acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, tenor/alto saxophone, trumpet, flute, tenor horn, clarinet, harmonica, percussion

Albums FRUIT (1996), SKIN (1997), SHIFT - live (1998), LIMITED U.S. RELEASE (EP) (2000)

Press Reviews FRUIT INDUSTRY PAGES: INTERVIEWS AND REVIEWSDavid Bates, Producer, The Famous Spielgeltent, Edinburgh, Scotland, Jan 2000"Fruit are a quality Australian arts export and never fail to impress. They represent the very best of this countries popular music exponents and always deliver a strong and exciting vision of Australia's contemporary music culture."‘Can’t get enough Fruit’The Advertiser Dec 30 99“The most successful Independent local band of the decade, Fruit…”Times Out Feature – ‘Ripe for the picking’Interview Georgina Curry, Canberra Times Feature Dec 99Along with their emerging pop sound, there’s also a world groove. A style that has enabled the group to play at a stack of international folk festivals, including WOMAD Seattle, exposure in Brazil and concerts in Canada this year.” And somehow, these musicians find time for side projects.This year Oates has composed music for Restless Dance, Watson has written the South Australian Millennium song for the States major CLICK! celebrations, and (more recently Lohs has written the opening song for the “1999 South Australian Sports Star of the Year Awards.”)Fruit, when they play live, are renowned for being extroverts. “We’re a bunch of extremists in terms of being willing to be performers that are ‘out there’.”‘Fruitful Mission’Interview with Sarah Thomas, The Advertiser Oct 99Keynes says “the best experience of the tour was undoubtedly America. The group played at WOMAD in Seattle and broke the record for album sales at the event.”Having scheduled Fruit for one gig, the artistic director Thomas Broman was so impressed that he offered another show. There are rumblings of the band being offered a place at WOMAD festival’s across the globe in 2000.‘Fruit’Interview with Robert Dunstan, Editor, Rip It Up Magazine, Oct 99“We started off in Brazil and then went up to America and Canada with Germany and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland) slotted in between.” Susie began “and because we hadn’t been to non-english speaking countries before (apart from the Netherlands) it was quiet an experience in Brazil and Germany.“Our performances are based on interaction with the audience,” she continued, “so it was a real challenge playing to people and knowing that a large amount of them didn’t understand what you were on about. They could still get into the music, but we couldn’t joke around quite as much.”“We continued to sell screeds of CD’s so they must have liked the groove”.‘Life’s moving experience’Robyn Archer, Artistic Director, Adelaide Festival Oct 23 99“… Regional Arts Conference….some great music including that gorgeous band Fruit. In fact, they’re just back from a huge international tour and they sound really great, tight, effusive.”‘Bowled over by FRUIT’S MAGIC’Sue Wilson, The Scotsman; 26 Aug 99“Back at the famous Spiegeltent after their triumphant Edinburgh debut in ’98, this sensational Australian five-piece provides solid proof that the Fringe bush telegraph is working as it should, in the shape of a long queue snaking down the street for the opening of their five-night run. They launched into a scorching 90 minute set from which no-one could guess that a)they are in the middle of a five month world tour, b)they are fresh off the plane from Berlin, and c)half of their drum kit has been mislaid en route.Led from the front by three tremendous female vocalists, two also wielding acoustic and electric guitars, the third serving as a one woman brass/woodwind section on trumpet, saxophones, flute and clarinet, their sound is a bright, tight, brilliantly exhilarating blend of pop, funk and soul, lent yet more spice by the occasional Latin twist or squall of punk aggression.It’s those voices though that work the most magic, each of them powerful, pliant and unerringly true, spanning the register from warm sensuality to soaring, searing passion, quick-fire rap to a belly deep bluesy growl.With the trio taking turns on lead and backing vocals, their close-knit ensemble work redoubles this individual potency with precisely placed and layered harmonies, while behind them slick, punchy rhythm work on drums and fretless bass keeps the dance grooves pumping hard and loud.Topping off this bravura of musical allure, their extrovert stage style and evident delight in performing makes for irresistible all-round entertainment.”HitlistThis issue’s best gigsThe List, Edinburgh, 19 Aug 99 “Fruit Massively acclaimed both in their native Australia and for their ’98 Fringe debut, Fruit play passionate, funky, up-beat acoustic pop with something for everyone and a good time guaranteed.”‘The Labour of Fruit’Vincent Lovegrove, TNT, London, 16 Aug 99ADELAIDE BAND FRUIT IS ONE OF MANY AUSSIE ACTS TURNING THEIR BACK ON THEIR NATIVE MUSIC SCENE BY SUCCESSFULLY TOURING EXTENSIVELY OVERSEAS. VINCENT LOVEGROVE SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT THE GROWING TREND PRIOR TO THEIR VISIT TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL.With four international tours already under their belt you'd be forgiven for thinking Australian band Fruit must be a household name in their native country.The truth of the matter is, however, the Adelaide band have only been together for four short years, in which time they've been overseas as much as at home.Since 1995, they have consistently toured Canada, Holland, Scotland, New York, Brazil, US and Germany.They're so busy in fact that I had to catch-up with them via email, vocalist Sam Lohs responding to my questions in the back of Fruit's touring van somewhere in Canada prior to coming to Edinburgh Festival.Fruit are part of an ever-growing group of Aussie artists now venturing onto the international stage, totally undeterred by the lack of hype, radio airplay and the insignificant stature at home.The list is growing, and perhaps the spirit of Fruit gives an insight into why this movement is swelling for a vast variety of musical acts." I would say that we play tight honest music," says Lohs."We are an independent band and, yes, we tour more overseas than in Australia."Overseas there is a more diverse listening audience and we can get to more people. As well as this we have had far more opportunities overseas to play well paid, well attended shows."Fruit's sound can only be described as distinct. It features an underlying rhythmic, naturally passionate feel beneath each very different song. They are eclectic in the true sense of the word......And judging from respectable sales of their independent CD's(available on their website), together with their vigorous touring schedule, it's the music that has kept, and should continue to keep, Fruit successfully on the road and mostly out of Australia.FRUIT APPEAR AT BECKS FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT FROM AUGUST 23 TO 27 AT 11PM‘Fruit brings freshness to series’Daily News, Rochester, MN USA July 1999“Fruit…. One of the most exciting bands to come out of Australia since the Bee Gees.” Fruit is the main attraction for Down By The Riverside’s first concert of the summer.‘Aussie Fruit has bunches of energy and talent’Rana Lehr Daily Herald, Salt Lake City, USA June 25 1999‘Fruit is an explosion of jazz, a splash of funk and a spritz of grooving harmonies. They are the next big sound from the land down under.”The newest of their three recordings “Shift,” seems like one big party. It’s evident the band is having a blast on stage in these live recordings, and so is the audience.‘WOMADELAIDE 99’Sarah Thomas The Advertiser Feb 99“Fruit who also performed yesterday, proved exactly why they are such a hot property overseas. Their material is refreshingly original and Mel Watson on horns was as sensational as ever.” “Rob Brookman named Senegalese rock star Baaba Maal as one of the festivals high points. He praised other acts including Jamacan guitarist Ernest Ranglin, tango maestro Cesar Stroscio from Argentina and Australian band Fruit.”Rob Brookman, Artist Director WOMADELAIDEMUSIC INDUSTRY HONORS IT’S OWN BEFORE SELLOUT CROWD‘Fruit the sweetest sound in the State’The Advertiser 18 March 1999Once again the night belonged to Fruit and The Superjesus.The Adelaide bands shared the limelight at the 7th annual South Australian Music Industry Awards for the second consecutive year.The two bands walked away with 11 of the 17 industry vote awards in front of a sellout crowd of 380 public and industry figurers at the Festival Centre last night.Five piece Fruit outfit won awards for most outstanding bass player, drummer, instrumentalist, most outstanding band, most outstanding live audio engineer and an achievement award for international touring.‘Fruit SPRINGS Forth’Sarah Thomas, The Advertiser 20 March 1999Adelaide band Fruit is a going concern… it made it’s mark at this years South Australian Music Industry Awards and is now set to tour Brazil, The United States, Canada, UK and Germany.Paul Elmslie, South Australian Music Industry board member and State Promotions Manager for Sony Music, thinks more local bands should be following Fruit’s lead. “Fruit is the epitome of what every band should be doing,” he says. “They’re productive and they’re aggressive. Fruit…. Is an example the rest of the local industry should follow.”‘Exporting Excellence’James Mulligan The Advertiser UK correspondent, August 98Adelaide band Fruit managed 36 shows in a 40 day tour of Amsterdam and the United Kingdom. Their performance in Edinburgh brought the following response.“The Art Deco semi-permanent Spiegeltent was shaken to it’s velvet roof with applause for Australians, from… to Adelaide’s Fruit, whose spellbinding shows launched what will surely be an international career.”‘The bold, the bright and the beautiful’****/5 Mark Brown, The Scotsman, Edinburgh August 99Packing a punch: “Fruit’s repertoire ranges from pop tunes to ballads to truly funky tunes.”“The hybrid nature of their music is rooted in the manner of it’s production – the three frontline write and the band composes – and their different strands of interest show up in this varied set which moves from their “up” pop tunes to ballads and the truly funky title track of their latest album shift.”“Fruit’s late night shows are bound to have them dancing…”“Lyrically Fruit are bold and bright…”“Shift” live 98 - reviewRobert Dunstan, Editor, Rip It Up, July 98“Sensitive song’s, embracing and disarming tones, with a straight up, no-frills approach that can’t mask the musicianship of this group. And what better way to wind up than with a fiery Mel Watson horn blast. A rich and lively outing with Fruit.”

Location Adelaide, South Australia - Australia

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