Known as a versatile collaborator, Quilla regularly writes, performs and records with artists hailing from a wide range of musical backgrounds. She loves exploring the fusion between genres and styles, as well as seeing where creative fruition can happen. In particular, she has a passion for blending traditional acoustic art forms with electronic music.
Current Collaborations
THE QUEEN BEES are three North Carolina-based multimedia artists: musician and journalist Molly McGinn on guitar and vocals; creative producer and musician Kate M. on violin, vocals and drum; and electronic music producer and anthropologist Quilla on keys, beats and vocals.
The Queen Bees see their music as a way to serve and create community. They weave together traditional acoustic instruments with modern electronic components, creating an original blend of music that uplifts audiences and dances to the rhythm of social change. Their music emphasizes a strong beat, meticulous stringed arrangements, delightful vocal harmonies and bright rhythm guitar. They use the folk tradition of storytelling to bring people together, and shed light on current issues. While pop, Americana and disco are influences in their music, each of their carefully crafted songs is unique and explores topics that are off the beaten path. From navigating climate change, to exploring the history of North Carolina, to supporting drag queens, songs by The Queen Bees are memorable and distinctive. Their collaboration goes beyond the traditional construct of a band because they also create visual stories and cultural experiences for diverse audiences.
While their work together dates back to collaborative projects as early as 2016, their first official performance as The Queen Bees was at The North Carolina Folk Festival in 2023. The trio has since gone on to perform at numerous festivals and benefit shows across the state, opened for The Piedmont Wind Symphony and appeared on The Martha Bassett Show.
All three Bees are songwriters, arrangers and co-producers of their musical releases. Their first EP, Live at the Flat Iron, was recorded at Triad City Beat’s 10th Anniversary Celebration at The Flat Iron in Greensboro, and was released by Ritual Fire Records in early May, 2024. It is now available on all streaming platforms. Their forthcoming studio album All Ye Outs will be out in the fall of 2024. You can follow The Queen Bees on Instagram at @thequeenbees.music
Timeline of All Musical Projects
Anna Luisa Daigneault (Quilla) was a member of the following bands, choirs and collaborative projects. She has taken on roles such as instrumentalist, singer, and band leader, depending on the project.
- In It For The Cookies (circa 1999-2000) – bassist in punk / pop band
- Shades of Grey (circa 2000) – keyboardist in a rock band
- Music Mind Movement (circa 2004-2005) – rhythm keyboardist in an Afrobeat ensemble that formed at McGill University
- Pamplemousse Explosion (circa 2005-2008) – singer and keyboardist in a circus jazz duo that toured Canada and the US
- Feast of Spirits (circa 2007-2010) – singer and keyboardist in an electronic / experimental duo
- Banana Lazuli (circa 2008-2013) – singer, keyboardist and bandleader in solo a solo indie act that also became a band
- Mono y Banana (circa 2008-2013) – singer in an indie electronic duo
- The Experimental Choir of Montreal (circa 2009-2012) – member of a vocal improvisation collective
- Choeur Maha (circa 2010-2011) – member of a women’s choir
- Quilla (2012-present) – solo electronic artist, songwriter and producer
- Molly McGinn & Quilla (circa 2015-2016) – singer and keyboardist in an Americana / electronic duo
- ANCESTRAL (2023) – writer, producer and director of an original musical that explored ancestry and dreams
- The Queen Bees (2023-present) – singer, keyboardist and beatmaker in an electronic folk trio