Quilla wrote the theme song for DUE SOUTH

I’ve been working hard on a ton of projects. Just released: the new theme song for Due South, a radio show that launched on November 1, 2023!

Quilla in her home studio

From the show’s description: “Due South is a new daily radio show on WUNC hosted by Leoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii. The show is a source for news, information, and perspectives from across North Carolina and the South.

It takes a panoramic view of politics, place, race, and southern culture, among other topics. The show takes deep-dives into the news – while also providing a break from the news cycle with conversations on topics ranging from food and music to arts and culture.”

I went deep into research mode and composed this theme as if I were orchestrating for a big dynamic band complete with a horn section. Super happy with the result. Thanks to WUNC producers for bringing me aboard as your composer for this show.

You can listen to Due South every weekday morning at 10am EST on WUNC.

New Feature in Triad City Beat

Quilla is a member of the Queen Bees, an electronic folk trio that recently graced the cover of Triad City Beat (Nov 30, 2023 – Photo by Carolyn de Berry)

“We’re able to bridge between Molly’s world building, research and lyrics, Kate’s ear for arrangement and structure and me with the actual production side and the skeleton of the song, […] I like to call us the triforce; I know we’ll share the load equally between us in a way that feels healthy and fun.”

– Quilla
(in an article by Sayaka Matsuoka for Triad City Beat)

Quilla wrote theme song for WUNC Music’s new show, FUTURE SHOCK

Hear Future Shock on WUNC Music 91.5 HD2 or on the livestream Saturday evenings at 6 p.m.

Future Shock, hosted by WUNC Music Director Brian Burns, is a new weekly show that explores progressive new sounds, global beats, and under-the-radar classics. Expect to hear a variety of genres from around the world; from jazz to funk to cumbia to reggae and beyond.

Future Shock features a theme song created by Greensboro-based electronic music artist Quilla, and art by Carrboro cartoonist Max Huffman.

Queen Bees: Finalists for Not Your Average Folk Contest!

Folks, we are buzzing with anticipation. I am excited to announce that QUEEN BEES (my musical project with Kate Musselwhite Tobey and Molly McGinn) has been selected as a finalist in the Not Your Average Folk contest! If we win, we will secure a spot to perform at the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival. Members of the public can vote once a day!

Please cast your vote right here: https://ncfolkfestival.com/vote/

On behalf of my fellow Queen Bees, thanks so much for your support! The song we wrote and recorded for this submission (aptly titled “Let the Queen Be”) is all about showing our support for drag artists in the US. They have been under fire lately from all sides. Our song shows our solidarity and appreciation for the art form, and as allies, we hope to shine a positive light on the issue.

It’s an honor to play music with these ladies in our project, QUEEN BEES. Writing and arranging the tunes is also a very fun experience for us. Each person brings a different dimension to the music. And I get to play my Roland drum machine and vocal looper for this project, so I am thrilled. Vote for us if our song resonates with you!

Quilla’s new musical ANCESTRAL is premiering this week!

Premiering at the Stephen D. Hyers Theater, this musical is an intergenerational story about diaspora and dreams. Told through live dance sequences crafted by local choreographer LeDarius Parker as well as dialog and a powerful musical score written and produced by Quilla, the narrative focuses on three characters who reside in modern-day Greensboro, NC. Each character is grappling with a turning point in their lives, and encounters an ancestral figure during dreams, leading to a profound transformation. The characters represent a cross-section of contemporary North Carolina, and their ancestors represent a diverse snapshot of humanity’s past.

ANCESTRAL was created with support by the North Carolina Arts Council and partnering arts councils such as ArtsGreensboro. Its production was also made possible by Creative Greensboro’s artist residency program at the Stephen D. Hyers Theater in April 2023. This event is wheelchair accessible, and ADA-compliant.

Recommended for ages 10 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

PRODUCTION

Written, directed and produced by Anna Luisa Daigneault (Quilla)

Choreography by LeDarius Gipsi Parker

Music and lyrics by Anna Luisa Daigneault (Quilla)

Choral arrangements by Kate Tobey

Beats on “You Belong Here” and “Bloodlines Remix” by Treee City

“Bloodlines” music video directed by Alexei Mejouev

Live video projections by Jennida Chase and Hassan Pitts

Lighting technician: Fatima Njie

Audio technician: Keenan Harmon

Poster design by Marty O’Connor

Stage hand: Skyler Foy

CAST

ANGELA FERNANDEZ – Darah Willey

AMIKA – Mikayla Johnson

ADAM – Jarvis Wilson

ROSA – Sabrina Morales

AMUL – Shelby Johnson

JOHN WHITE – Stefan DiMuzio

THE SUBLIMINALS (dancers): Elijah Grady, April McLaurin, Travis Simmons, Janina Spencer

COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS CHOIR: Kate Tobey, Izzy Hayes, Lee Atkinson

The music video for “Bloodlines” is out!

This new song “Bloodlines” is about weaving a connection with one’s ancestry. With stunning choreography by LeDarius Parker, the dancers embody resilience and empathy. This piece from Quilla’s new musical, ANCESTRAL. Tickets are on sale now for performances on April 27, 28, 29, 30 (2023) at the Stephen D. Hyers Theater in Greensboro, NC.

VIDEO CREDITS
Composed and produced by Quilla
Choreography by LeDarius Gipsi Parker
Directed and edited by Alexei Mejouev
Dancers: Elijah Grady, April McLaurin, Laniya Smith, Cameron Vanderhaar
Filmed at the Greensboro Cultural Center
Made with support from the North Carolina Arts Council & ArtsGreensboro

SONG CREDITS
Quilla – “Bloodlines” (feat. Kate Tobey)
Music and lyrics by Quilla
Violin and backing vocals: Kate Tobey
Mixing and electronic production: Quilla
Recording engineer: Mike Garrigan
Vocal production: Quilla and Mike Garrigan
Mastering: Holger Lagerfeldt

Artist residency for Quilla’s ANCESTRAL at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre in April 2023

I’m thrilled to share that choreographer LeDarius Gipsi Parker and I have been awarded an artist residency through Creative Greensboro at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre for the month of April 2023.

We will be immersed in the choreography and production of the musical I am writing, ANCESTRAL. Performances will be held at the Hyers Theatre on April 27-28-29-30. This event is wheelchair accessible, and ADA-compliant.

Tickets for ANCESTRAL are available now!

What is ANCESTRAL?
Surrealism, survival and legacy intertwine in this new musical. A Greensboro-based production, it is an intergenerational story told through live dance sequences crafted by local choreographer LeDarius Parker as well as dialog and a powerful musical score written and produced by Quilla. The narrative focuses on three characters (Angela, Adam and Amika) who reside in modern-day Greensboro, NC.

Each character is grappling with a turning point in their lives, and encounters one of their ancestors during a dream, leading to a profound transformation involving healing and personal reckoning. The main characters are connected to each other through work obligations and family ties, and their stories combine in whimsical and unexpected ways. They represent a cross-section of contemporary North Carolina, and their ancestors represent a diverse snapshot of humanity’s past.

Dancers Laniya Smith, Cameron Vanderhaar, Elijah Grady and April McLaurin perform a dance from the opening scene of ANCESTRAL, choreographed by LeDarius Parker.

ANCESTRAL was created with support by the North Carolina Arts Council and partnering arts councils such as ArtsGreensboro. Its production was also made possible by Creative Greensboro and the artist residency program at the Stephen D. Hyers Theater in April 2023.



Quilla composed the podcast theme for “Anywhere But Here GSO”

Quilla composed the theme music for “Anywhere But Here GSO” – a new podcast hosted by longtime Greensboro residents Maria and Tom. She combined beats, synths and electronic textures to create an upbeat song that evokes the feeling you get when you are walking into a coffeeshop.

Also, Quilla was a featured guest on Episode 3 of the podcast (“Bow to the Rebel Queen”) during which she discussed her multicultural roots, Burning Man and her love of Greensboro eateries.

Podcast cover art by Camilo Perdomo