For British singer-songwriter Annemarie Quinn, a journey that was meant to be a few months long turned into six years of music, mentorship, and deep connection in Malawi.
“I came here with a guitar and a curiosity for a new place where I did not know anyone, with no idea Malawi would become such a big part of my life and my music,” she said.
Hailing from the Lake District in the UK, Quinn arrived in Malawi in 2016 to explore a new place and be able to collaborate with local musicians.
What began as a blend of curiosity and creativity trip soon became a life-changing chapter of her life using her music for social impact in Malawian communities.
Familiarising herself with Malawi’s local musical landscape, she connected with local musicians and recorded music with them. Further even taking on leadership roles in community-based initiatives.
While here, Quinn served as arts programmes director at The Jacaranda School for Orphans in Blantyre.
“Working with the students and seeing their potential but also just helping them find their voices has been one of the most amazing things during my stay in Malawi,” she said.
Quinn was also able to co-direct Music Against Malaria in 2018, a non-profit initiative that uses the power of music to raise awareness and support efforts to combat malaria.
The project brought together top musicians and communities across Malawi in engaging educational campaigns.
Apart from these, her dedication caught the attention of pop icon Madonna, who in 2019 embraced her during a visit to Jacaranda.
Her album, Blue Sky Thinking, produced and recorded in Malawi, is a fusion of cultures where traditional Malawian rhythms soulful folk instrumentation.
“In my album Blue Sky Thinking we did collaborate with different local artists. Every song holds a piece of the journey and i’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with these artists,” she said.
The cover track Blue Sky Thinking was chosen as BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week. The album has tracks like Size of the Sky, Osadandaula, Out Loud, Nkhani Yathu and Usiku Okongola.
On the album, she featured artists like Agorosso, Faith Mussa, Code Sangala, Waliko Makhala, Lazarus, The Jacaranda Choir and Lusubilo Band.
Quinn said her decision to relocate to the UK is just to reconnect and spend time with her family adding that she will continue to visit Malawi.
“When I arrived I didn’t know anybody, but being here I have met a lot of people and worked with different musicians. I will always come back here to visit and reconnect with them,” she said.
Quinn held her last performance on Friday at Kweza Hub in Lilongwe.
As a way to promote other artists, she brought with her folk and afro jazz musician Dannil who in a separate interview said he played in Lilongwe for the fisrt time because of Quinn.
He said having known Quinn in a short time she has had a great influence on his music journey such that he will be greatly missed as she returns to the UK.
“She is quite a force and will make sure to encourage artist and create platforms where they can showcase their talent. She will be missed once she goes back to the UK,” Dannil said.
Quinn has, among others, performed at Lake of Stars, Tumaini Festival, Sand Festival, Zomba City Festival and Blantyre City Festival.
She said she still has performances scheduled for Blantyre before she lives for the UK with her husband and daughter.
For Quinn, melodies have become bridges connecting her British roots to Malawi’s culture turning strangers into collaborators, students into stars and music into a medium for social impact.
To her, Malawi will always hold a special space in her heart as she will continue to play the sounds she produced with the local musicians.
