Q&A: Pillowprince Makes Memorable Introduction in Debut EP ‘pretty, baby!’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY FAITH LUEVANOS ☆
Photo By Alexia Abarca
“KIND OF HOT, KIND OF SAD, AND ALSO FUNNY” — Oakland-based rock band Pillowprince has officially released their debut EP, pretty, baby!, a collection of songs created through reconnection and music discovery. Consisting of Olivia Lee (vocals, guitar), Sea Snyder (drums), and Liza Stegall (bass), the trio has come together to use their friendship as the fuel for something equally as special within their music.
Punchy, raw, and bold, Pillowprince has entered the rock scene in a big way with the release of pretty, baby! By blending rock, shoegaze, and indie, the band’s sound is hypnotizing, pulling listeners in deeper and deeper. From the erotic wonderland that is “R the Straights Ok,” to the tenderness of “Care About,” Pillowprince has shown an incredible range of emotion that is sure to leave a lasting impact on listeners.
The Luna Collective had the opportunity to chat with lead vocalist Olivia Lee on how the band formed, the making of pretty, baby!, the creative scene in Oakland, and more. Read the full interview below.
Photo By Alexia Abarca
LUNA: Do you feel that where an artist is raised plays a pivotal role in their music style? If so, has Oakland and its music scene shaped this EP in any way?
PILLOWPRINCE: Totally. There’s so much creativity, art, poetry, and music that we’re lucky to be surrounded by in Oakland. The DIY ethos is alive and well, which continues to surprise and inspire us.
LUNA: The music video for "R the Straights Ok" is kinky, fun, and bold. When you think of the song paired with the video, what message do you hope to convey to listeners?
PILLOWPRINCE: I’ll be honest, I think queers have more fun and bigots are just jealous. Why else would they be so deeply obsessed with silencing and eradicating us?
LUNA: How did the band form?
PILLOWPRINCE: Sea and I met at a guitar shop we worked at 12 years ago and became fast friends. We would get caught up in long conversations while we were supposed to be working, and they’d teach me drum rudiments. Liza came in as a customer around the same time and I invited them to a show because I thought they were hot and cool. The three of us became dear friends and stayed in touch while living in separate cities.
We all traded hundreds of songs and playlists and met up on trips together every year. When Sea told me they’d finally be moving back to the Bay, we immediately found a practice space and, unsurprisingly, things clicked in an epic way as we played through fragments of songs and riffs together.
Our talented friend Asha Wells joined us on bass and harmonies in the beginning. When it came time to find a bass player again it felt like the obvious choice to invite our bestie Liza into the band, regardless of them living in LA while Sea and I are in Oakland. It’s a great excuse for us to all get together often, play music in our dream band, and explore the world together.
LUNA: If this EP could be a soundtrack to a movie, what movie would that be?
PILLOWPRINCE: I think “Babybird” would go in a hot vampire sequence in Octavia Butler’s Fledgling when it becomes a movie, and “Care About” would be in a fight sequence in Parable of the Sower (speaking these into existence).
LUNA: "Care About" is an emotional track that was written after the events at Colorado's Club Q. Can you share how those events brought the track forth?
PILLOWPRINCE: I was so heartbroken after that tragedy. There are countless hate crimes that have happened throughout history and, sadly, it just keeps happening. Most of the time it feels like things aren’t changing for the better and history is just repeating itself in a hate-filled echo chamber. It’s too much to hold. It feels desperate. I feel desperate to shake the world. It felt like something I had to write.
LUNA: How would you describe your music to someone who may be discovering you for the first time?
PILLOWPRINCE: It’s kind of hot and kind of sad but also funny. It’ll make you want to go on a road trip with your bestie, mosh and cry, and tell your crush you like them.
LUNA: You'll be going on a West Coast run in May; what are you looking forward to the most?
PILLOWPRINCE: Long drives listening to new albums we’ve been meaning to sink into and nerd out about. Finding the best thrift stores in each town. Weird late-night food. Connecting with and seeing the other bands play.
