Fruit (band)

Fruit were an indie folk rock band from Adelaide, Australia. The group was formed in 1995, and consisted of Mel Watson (lead vocalist, horn player, songwriter), Susie Keynes (lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter), Sam Lohs (lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, songwriter), Yanya Boston (drums, percussion), and Brian Ruiz (Bass guitar). In 2003 they won the "Best Live Album" award at the Australian Live Music Awards. Their most recent album was Burn, which was released in June 2005.

History

Formation and early years

Fruit was originally formed in 1995 by a chance meeting following a request for two groups of three to perform together at a local show in Adelaide: Group 1: Jenna Bonavita, Mel Watson, Catherine Oates Group 2: Miranda Bradley, Sam Lohs, Susie Keynes The six members decided to rehearse together to do an encore performance at the end of their shows. It was later decided that they would combine their talents into one band, which became known as Fruit. All the members had known each other from various bands that they had been part of: Emerald Sun: Mel Watson, Jenna Bonavita, Daniel Schultze, Yanya Boston Breathe: Sam Lohs, Adam Budgen (future sound engineer for the band) Fresh Air: Catherine Oates, Jenna Bonavita, Padma Newsome, Dylan Woolcock, Quentin Grant Kai's Dilemma: Miranda Bradley, Susie Keynes, Clive Conway, Ashley Shepherd Fruit's first studio release was the award-winning 1996 self-titled release "Fruit", which was then followed by the much acclaimed "Skin". Their first live album, Shift Live, was released in 1999, which contained songs from their first two albums, as well as previously unreleased songs.

Later years and hiatus

The band returned with their third studio record, Here For Days, in 2001. It was recorded with UK producer Paul Gomersall (who has worked with George Michael, Phil Collins, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Guns N' Roses), climbed to the No. 3 spot in the Australian Independent Charts. Their second live album, Live at the Basement, was released in 2002, and contained a number of new and old songs. The album won the Best Live Album award at the Australian Live Music Awards in 2003. 2005 saw the release of the album Burn. The album was produced by the Grammy nominated David Ivory, and was recorded in Philadelphia. In late 2006 after a Fall tour of the North America the band went on an indefinite hiatus; Susie Keynes has been quoted as saying that Fruit is 'off the road for the time being'. The three head members of the band have ventures into new careers whilst dabbling in music. Susie is now Doctor Susie Keynes MD, Mel, the Director on an Aged Care Day Care Centre on Whidby Island off the coast of Seattle and Sam an accomplished home painter and part-time musician.

List of awards and achievements

**Australian Live Music Awards **(ALMAs) Queen's Trust Award for Young Australians South Australian Music Awards

Discography

Fruit albums

Fruit – selections from Burn (2005) Fruit The Trio Album – Live at the Church (2003) Live at the Basement (2002) Here For Days (2001) U.S. Limited Release Fruit EP (2000) Shift, Recorded Live Skin (1997) Fruit (Self-titled, 1996)

Solo albums

Sam Lohs

We Trip Over Things (2006) Six Degrees (1998)

Mel Watson

In Between (2003) Vox Humana (2001)

Susie Keynes

Kiss For Her Fears (2002)

List of notable tours

Fruit spent ten years solidly touring internationally throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, South America, Asia and New Zealand. 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 and earlier

Contents