Pillow Queens, well what can I say ? I mean first of all, I have heard about this 4 piece a few times, but admittedly, I have never listened to them.
When I was asked to shoot them, leading up to the gig I wasn’t thinking about it much, and then a week before hand, my partner reminded me that she loved them and so she let me listen to a few tracks. I enjoyed what I heard but wanted to hold my emotions for the gig.
There is nothing better than hearing a band for the first time live. Yes, albums are great too, but the energy and connection you get from a live concert is just something most can’t capture on an album. And I am glad I waited for this moment, because truly, the universe wanted me to experience this band up close and personal.
So what can I say about Pillow Queens?… Uplifting !
This openly queer 4 piece from Dublin have captured me within their world and I am in awe with their music, their passion, and their power. Representing an ever growing strong community in Dublin and the rest of Ireland, Pillow Queens are letting us know that anything is possible, Especially within the Music Industry and you can make a career whilst doing what you love and following your passion whilst also being 100% true to yourself. And for the younger generation coming up behind them, this is an absolute positive message to be putting out into the world, and no doubt they have so many young people looking up to them and helping passions come to life.
Speaking about a refresh that needs to happen within the music industry and how we need to move away from sexism in all corners of this industry. Hyper sexualising female artists and booking predominantly male artists for festivals or even within the photographer aspect where we see male dominated photo pits and female photographers finding it harder and harder to get access to shooting live events. Pillow Queens are keeping these topics within the conversation and we should not let the conversation die down.
But whilst the representation and strong community is at the core, We are not forgetting about the most important aspect of this band. THE MUSIC. The music is what brought them together and the music is what’s helping get these messages out into the world. And jayziz, is the music grabbing attention. From stunning harmonies to a powerful driven back bone of guitar and bass with echos of the Pixies and Paramore (IMO) and not to mention that beautiful Dublin accent coming through strong by Sarah Corcoran.
Songs like ‘Rats’ with that iconic Dublin pronunciation of the letter ’T’. Or more the lack of. “I’m not a Rah, if you’re not a Rah, a rah, rah, a rah. And the track ‘Heart and Mind’ and a strong Dublin ‘R’, ‘Get your head in the bed, like what your man said, its a tough one loving me’. When ever I hear a Dublin based band keeping their authentic accent in the mix, I fall in love, and I’m singing right along with Pillow Queens in my even stronger Ballymun accent LOL.
Tracks like ‘Like a lesson’ grabbed my heart with the line ‘I don’t wanna ruin my life, but I wanna go home with you’. Even better live when Pamela Connelly went far stage right and out as far into the crowd as she could, as the crowd screamed these lines back to her and we were all just sucked into the moment, and what a beautiful moment it was.
Pillow Queens are authentic whilst writing from the heart and writing form personal experiences. They may not write all the time with the listener in mind but we are hearing you and we are right there with you experiencing life with you and your music is reminding us just how special life is and how we are all in this together. One big crowd singling along to your beautifully created music.
Ireland may be a little green island tucked away under a cloud, but we are screaming at the top of our fucking lungs and we are really starting to shatter the glass (in a good way) and there is nothing that can stop us right now. Irish music is capturing the worlds heart, and Pillow Queens are just one of those cogs in this Honda civic going 90 up the m50 (so to speak) lol.
‘Name Your Sorrow’ is the latest release from Pillow Queens. And I urge you to go blast that shit into your ear drums.
Pillow Queens photos:
Words & Photos Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography