Emerging from the vastly vibrant south-east London music scene, Prima Queen are the new indie-rock band on the block. Initially a duo, fronted by best friends Louise MacPhail and Kristin McFadden, the group have quickly evolved into a fully-functioning five-piece; adding saxophone, drums and bass to their already teeming tone. With just two releases under their belt, the group are already making waves in the music world, having supported acts such as Black Midi and Big Moon; the latter of which they accompanied on their 2019 UK tour; Walking Like We Do.
An unstoppable force for good, the group have not let the nightmarish year that was 2020 faze them. Instead, they continued writing and releasing new music throughout lockdown, despite the gruelling process; having to send demos back and forth, with FaceTime being the only fit medium for writing together. The group, however, have described the experience as "old hand", having spent their early days long-distance, with Kristin based in Chicago, and Louise in Bristol.
Their most recent release; 'Brownstone', beautifully exhibits their knack for story-telling, as the band sing of their doubt in the 'perfect' guy and their disbelief in the American dream. With laminated vocals, the track possesses the ethereality of Phoebe Bridgers, the grit of Julia Jacklin and the emotionally honest lyricism of Lucy Dacus; all influences which interweave to create a truly intoxicating sound.
So, what tracks have inspired the pair?
Louise's tracks:
1. Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading
"When I was growing up my mum often played Joan Armatrading in the car. She told me that when she was in her early twenties she really related to Armatrading's lyrics and would listen to her album on repeat. Watching her sing along to 'Love and Affection,' I saw a different version of her which made me feel closer to her somehow. It was as if I knew her at the same age I am now. Armatrading sets the scene of a young women seeking intimacy and companionship. It perfectly captures the uncertainty and anxiety that comes with trying to figure out what's going on in life in your early twenties. The build into the chorus is so long that when it finally reaches its peak, it feels very satisfying. Also, when the saxophone comes in it encapsulates the mood of the song so well. Saxophone can often express a feeling better than words can, which is why I often want to include it in our songs (shout out to our amazing sax player, Antonia Bratt!)"
2. Cool Cat - Queen
"When I was at uni, I lived in a big student house where we would host a lot of parties. There would always be a time in the night that nearly everyone had left, but a few of us would be sat in our cellar, collectively trying to pluck up the strength to go upstairs and acknowledge that it was daylight outside and time to go to bed. At this point, someone would always put on 'Cool Cat' and it would always get everyone back up on their feet for one last dance. Mercury's vocal in the track is impeccable and really highlights the versatility of Queen."
3. Europe is Lost - Kae Tempest
"Through using different narratives in their writing, Tempest has a way of humanising events happening around us. This can be heard in the opening of Europe is Lost, whereby Tempstes tells of the story of Esther; a carer who has just returned from a night shift, to paint the picture of huge inequalities in our broken system. The effect is very powerful and inspired me to start writing outside of my own perspective and to experiment with using unspoken word in my writing. Sometimes it's hard to make everything rhyme, so starting to experiment outside of that felt really liberating. I also recently read their book 'On Connection' and would recommend it to any musician, artist, or anyone really!"
4. Typical Girls - The Slits
"I love the blend of punk, ska, dub and reggae that The Slits incorporate into their music. The guitar sounds and energy in the vocals throughout is infectious. In 'Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys; ' the memoir by Slits guitarist, Albertine, discusses her experience of starting a punk band as a woman who couldn't yet play guitar in a hugely male dominated industry. I found it really inspiring as a young woman wanting to start a band."
5. Failure - Laura Marling
"I was 11 when 'Alas, I Cannot Swim', Marling's debut album, was released. I'd just started writing songs and had been told that what I'd been writing at the time would be classified as Folk, but all the Folk music I had listened to was predominantly old white men singing about things I couldn't relate to, so I didn't find it very accessible. My mum's friend, Glenn, worked at Marling's label and he gave the album to me as a present. I found it exciting, hearing a girl who didn't seem much older than me singing about things I could relate to."
Kristin's tracks:
1. Wide Open Spaces - The Chicks
"The Chicks inspired me to play guitar and sing. They were the first real all-female band I had ever seen. I remember trying to learn every song on every album. 'Wide Open Spaces' feels extra special to me as I find myself coming back to it again and again at different points in my life. The song encompasses growing up, moving far away, and finding your own life for yourself. I've moved quite a few times to different cities - as well as migrated to the UK from the US - in my early adult life, and I love how this song talks about the yearning to do something different from everyone else, even when it's hard."
2. Can't Let Go - Lucinda Williams
"I'm just obsessed with this song. I love how it manages to be both fun and upbeat and heartbreaking all at the same time. When I was little, I used to go to a lot of Lucinda Williams concerts with my family, because one of my dad's friends played drums for her. Watching Lucinda perform and being able to go backstage and see behind the scenes made me want to become a touring musician so badly. She's such a powerhouse onstage, and you can really feel that energy in this recording."
3. Jolene - Dolly Parton
"When I was 16 I got my first job playing/singing cover songs at this cute sandwich shop called 'Potbelly's' where I grew up in Illinois. This song was my favourite to sing when I was working there. Dolly Parton is one of my idols and I love hearing her talk about songwriting. One of my favourite stories from her is the story she tells about recording this song. Supposedly the guy playing guitar on it kept playing the part she wrote wrong, so she just grabbed the guitar out of his hands and played it herself. I think people forget what an amazing guitarist she is."
4. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morrisette
"I think it's incredible how blunt Alanis Morrisette's lyrics are. She says things that a lot of people would be too scared to say - would she go down on you in a theatre / are you thinking of me when you fuck her. It has that raw anger/bitterness that we all feel sometimes, but can't always express. It definitely inspires me to be more brave with my lyrics and to put in the lines which I'm like; "'Can I say that?' Sometimes those are the most powerful lines, the ones that are the scariest to sing."
5. Big Strong Girl - Deb Talan
"Deb's lyrics are gorgeous and down to earth, and there's just something spiritual about her songs / voice. Everything feels intimate and real, like she's just speaking to you as a friend. I love listening to this song when I'm feeling down or overwhelmed. The lines that really get me are; 'Don't push so hard against the world, you can't do it all alone, and if you could would you really want to? Even though you're a big strong girl, come on, lay it down."
These are all such good song choices
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