{{Short description|Irish indie rock band}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Pillow Queens | image = | image_size = 200px | landscape = yes | alt = | caption = Pillow Queens performing in July 2017. L-R: McGuinness, Lyons, Connolly, Corcoran. | origin = Dublin, Ireland | genre = Indie rock | label = Royal Mountain Records | years_active = {{start date|2016}}–present | website = {{Official}} | current_members = * Sarah Corcoran * Cathy McGuinness * Pamela Connolly | past_members = * Rachel Lyons }} '''Pillow Queens''' are an Irish indie rock band from Dublin, formed in 2016.<ref name="irishtimes2018">{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Pillow Queens: 'If I saw a band like us onstage, I'd be obsessed'|author=Una Mullally|date=2018-07-18|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/pillow-queens-if-i-saw-a-band-like-us-onstage-i-d-be-obsessed-1.3571398}}</ref><ref name="othervoices">{{cite web|work=Other Voices|title=Pillow Queens Q&A|author=Danny Carroll|date=2019-08-23|url=https://www.othervoices.ie/content/pillow-queens-qa|access-date=11 September 2019|archive-date=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410154354/http://othervoices.ie/content/pillow-queens-qa|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band is composed of co-lead vocalists Pamela Connolly and Sarah Corcoran (who both swap between playing rhythm guitar and bass), and lead guitarist/backing vocalist Cathy McGuinness.

The band have been praised for their lyrical content, which often reckons with an Irish Catholic upbringing mixed with the band members themselves being openly LGBT. ''NME'' noted that the band "explore the intersection of religion and queerness",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Rhian |title=Pillow Queens – 'In Waiting' review: debut that takes you right to the heart of modern Ireland |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/pillow-queens-in-waiting-review-radar-2762426 |website=NME |date=25 September 2020 |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref> while ''The Guardian'' noted that the band "acknowledges the psychological challenge of adapting to even positive social change after a lifetime conditioned in its opposite".<ref>{{cite web |last1=McEvoy |first1=Tara |title=Pillow Queens: 2020's most exciting indie-rockers on Catholicism, coming out and community |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/05/pillow-queens-indie-rockers-catholicism-coming-out-in-waiting |website=The Guardian |date=5 October 2020 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

The band released their debut album, ''In Waiting'', in 2020. It received critical acclaim, with ''The Irish Times'' deeming it "an emotional masterpiece".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bruton |first1=Louise |title=Pillow Queens: In Waiting review – An emotional masterpiece |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/pillow-queens-in-waiting-review-an-emotional-masterpiece-1.4360600 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref> A second LP, ''Leave the Light On'', was released in April 2022. Their third full-length, ''Name Your Sorrow'', was released in April 2024 on Royal Mountain Records.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Duran |first=Anagricel |date=2024-01-26 |title=Pillow Queens announce new album ''Name Your Sorrow'' and share new single 'Gone' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pillow-queens-announce-new-album-name-your-sorrow-and-share-new-single-gone-3577962 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History== Pillow Queens was started by Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly.<ref name="irishtimes2018"/> After leaving their previous bands, the two wanted to go further with their new band, which they decided would consist of four queer women.<ref name="thelineofbestfit2020">{{cite web|work=The Line Of Best Fit|title=Queerness is in Pillow Queens' DNA|author=Mia Hughes|date=2020-09-20|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/queerness-is-in-pillow-queens-dna}}</ref> They were then joined by Cathy McGuinness and Rachel Lyons, who they had known for years. In late 2016, the group released their first demo EP entitled ''Calm Girls''.<ref name="othervoices"/> The release of this record was followed by performances on the Irish festival circuit, including at Electric Picnic and All Together Now.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nialler9.com/all-together-now-irish-2019-2/ |title=10 Irish acts to see at this year's All Together Now |publisher=Nialler9 |date=2019-07-30 |accessdate=2019-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.electricpicnic.ie/line-up/artist/pillow-queens |title=Pillow Queens &#124; Electric Picnic |publisher=Electricpicnic.ie |date=2019-09-01 |accessdate=2019-09-12 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206081123/https://www.electricpicnic.ie/line-up/artist/pillow-queens |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the release of their second EP, ''State of the State'', the group performed with the likes of Pussy Riot, Future Islands, Idles and performed in the IMRO room at ''Other Voices''.<ref name="irishtimes2018"/> In a mid-2019 interview with RTÉ, the band stated that they were in the studio working on their debut LP, tentatively due to be released in mid-2020.<ref>{{cite web|work=RTÉ|title=Interview: Pillow Queens dream a little dream|author=Michael Donovan|date=2019-06-19|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2019/0619/1056331-interview-pillow-queens-dream-a-little-dream/}}</ref> On 1 November 2019, Pillow Queens released the single "Brothers",<ref name=brothers>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=Brothers|author=Apple Music|date=2019-11-01|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/brothers-single/1482240747}}</ref> and the accompanying "Brothers (Acoustic)".<ref name=brothersacoustic>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=Brothers (Acoustic)|author=Apple Music|date=2019-11-01|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/brothers-acoustic-single/1482241498}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2020}} The band played two further songs from their upcoming album, "Child of Prague" and "Liffey", on 9 November 2019 during a set in Reykjavík as part of Iceland Airwaves 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pillow Queens - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)|website=YouTube|date=2020-02-11|accessdate=2020-09-27|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhINlOM1pbY&t=644s&ab_channel=KEXP}}</ref>

In 2020, their single "Gay Girls" featured on the soundtrack to the Amazon Original Irish film ''Dating Amber''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clayton-Lea|first=Sarah|title='Gay Girls' Features on Soundtrack of Irish Film, Dating Amber – Pillow Queens|url=https://pillowqueens.com/gay-girls-features-on-soundtrack-of-irish-film-dating-amber/|access-date=2020-06-28|language=en-US|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629231133/https://pillowqueens.com/gay-girls-features-on-soundtrack-of-irish-film-dating-amber/|url-status=dead}}</ref> That year, the band also were part of Irish Women in Harmony, an Irish collective of female singers and musicians that recorded a version of "Dreams" in aid of the charity SafeIreland, which deals with domestic abuse which had reportedly risen significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown.<ref name="it-1">{{cite news |last1=Bol |first1=Rosita |title=Irish Women in Harmony record Cranberries song in aid of Safe Ireland |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/irish-women-in-harmony-record-cranberries-song-in-aid-of-safe-ireland-1.4283348 |accessdate=3 July 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>

The band announced on 10 February 2021 that they had signed to the record label Sub Pop's publishing arm<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 January 2021|title=Pillow Queens sign deal with Seattle label Sub Pop|work=RTÉ|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0211/1196446-pillow-queens/|access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref> and confirmed in August of that year they had begun recording their second LP.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1422851594173964289|user=PillowQueens|title=Album 2 is it? Gwan so.|date=4 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1423592002738872323|user=PillowQueens|title=it’s Bandcamp Friday! Order some of our fine goods modelled here by our shy model Rachel. We’re recording album 2 so there’ll be some delivery delays but we’re good for it I swear|date=6 August 2021|link=no}}</ref> The following month, the band released a new single, a re-recorded version of the song "Rats" from their ''Calm Girls'' EP. The band also simultaneously signed to Royal Mountain Records.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Farrell |first1=Margaret |title=Pillow Queens Point Out We're All "Rats" in This Humdrum Life |url=https://floodmagazine.com/93597/watch-pillow-queens-rats/ |website=Flood Magazine |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>

In January 2022, the band announced their second studio album ''Leave the Light On''. Its lead single, "Be by Your Side", was released the same day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Cluny |title="We Laugh About the Ups and Downs Like They Don't Hurt": Pillow Queens Releases Emotive Newest Single |url=https://clunkmag.com/pillow-queens-announce-new-album-and-share-single-be-by-your-side/ |website=Clunk Mag |date=21 January 2022 |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref> A second single, "Hearts & Minds", followed in February.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deville |first1=Chris |title=Pillow Queens – "Hearts & Minds" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2175722/pillow-queens-hearts-minds/music/ |website=Stereogum |date=10 February 2022 |publisher=Stereogum Media |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref> A third single, "No Good Woman" was released in March. The album was released on 1 April 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Robin |title=Pillow Queens Announce New Album 'Leave The Light On' |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/pillow-queens-announce-new-album-leave-the-light-on |website=Clash Music |date=19 January 2022 |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref>

In November 2023, Pillow Queens released the single "Suffer", followed by the announcement of their third LP, ''Name Your Sorrow'', in January 2024. Their album was announced with lead single "Gone" in January 2024. They released two successive singles "Like a Lesson" and "Heavy Pour," with the album releasing on 19 April 2024 on Royal Mountain Records.<ref name=":0" />

==Style== The band has broad influences; however, they have been hesitant to define their work as any one genre, in order to avoid being labeled.<ref name="paste2019">{{cite web|work=Paste|title=Meet Pillow Queens, the Irish Band Making "Puppy Pop"|author=Clare Martin|date=2019-01-25|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/01/meet-pillow-queens-the-irish-band-making-puppy-pop.html}}</ref>

Pillow Queens have been described by ''Paste'' magazine as having a "sonic palette" crossed with "ragged-edged" guitars, combined with "smooth harmonies".<ref name="paste2019"/>

==Members== ;Current members * Sarah Corcoran – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass (2016–present) * Cathy McGuinness − lead guitar, backing vocals (2016–present) * Pamela Connolly – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass (2016–present)

;Current touring musicians * Darragh Tibbs – drums (2024–present)

;Former members * Rachel Lyons – drums, backing vocals (2016–2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Linehan |first=Alice |date=2024-11-27 |title=Pillow Queens announces drummer Rachel Lyons’ departure from band |url=https://gcn.ie/pillow-queens-drummer-rachel-lyons-departs/#:~:text=Speaking%20separately%20to%20GCN,%20the,will%20step%20in%20on%20drums. |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=GCN |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;"| IRE<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Pillow+Queens|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426214359/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Pillow+Queens|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2024|title=Discography Pillow Queens|website=irish-charts.com|access-date=27 April 2024}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''In Waiting'' | * Released: 25 September 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pillowqueens.bandcamp.com/album/in-waiting |title=In Waiting &#124; Pillow Queens |publisher=Pillowqueens.bandcamp.com |date=2020-09-25 |accessdate=2020-09-27}}</ref> * Label: Pillow Queens Records * Format: CD, digital download, vinyl | 26 |- ! scope="row"| ''Leave the Light On'' | * Released: 1 April 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Pillow Queens - Leave the Light On |url=https://royalmountainrecords.com/products/pillow-queens-leave-the-light-on |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210135520/https://royalmountainrecords.com/products/pillow-queens-leave-the-light-on |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2022 |website=Royal Mountain Records |access-date=14 February 2022 }}</ref> * Label: Royal Mountain * Format: CD, digital download, vinyl, streaming | 3 |- !scope="row"| ''Name Your Sorrow'' | * Released: 19 April 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pillow Queens - Name Your Sorrow |url=https://royalmountain.myshopify.com/products/pillow-queens-name-your-sorrow |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Royal Mountain Records |language=en}}</ref> * Label: Royal Mountain * Format: CD, digital download, vinyl, streaming | 43<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=IRMA – Irish Charts|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=27 April 2024}}</ref> |}

===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''Calm Girls''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pillowqueens.bandcamp.com/album/calm-girls-ep |title=Calm Girls EP &#124; Pillow Queens |publisher=Pillowqueens.bandcamp.com |date= |accessdate=2019-09-12}}</ref> | * Release: 6 December 2016 * Label: Any Other City * Format: CD, digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''State of the State''<ref>{{cite web|work=Goldenplec|title=Pillow Queens - State of the State|author=Danny Kilmartin|date=2018-03-15|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/album-reviews/pillow-queens-state-of-the-state-ep-review/}}</ref> | * Release: 15 December 2018 * Label: Any Other City * Format: CD, digital download, vinyl |}

===Singles=== {{refimprove|date=July 2025}} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Favourite"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pillowqueens.bandcamp.com/track/favourite |title=Favourite &#124; Pillow Queens |publisher=Pillowqueens.bandcamp.com |date=2018-01-24 |accessdate=2020-09-27}}</ref> | rowspan=2 | 2018 | ''State of the State'' |- ! scope="row"| "Gay Girls"<ref>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=Gay Girls|author=Apple Music|date=2018-10-26|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/gay-girls-single/1439121522}}</ref> | rowspan=5 | ''In Waiting'' |- ! scope="row"| "HowDoILook"<ref>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=HowDoILook|author=Apple Music|date=2019-05-17|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/howdoilook-single/1463405503}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> | rowspan=2 | 2019 |- ! scope="row"| "Brothers"<ref name="brothers"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Handsome Wife"<ref>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=Handsome Wife|author=Apple Music|date=2020-06-12|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/handsome-wife-single/1513799382}}</ref> | rowspan=2 | 2020 |- ! scope="row"| "Holy Show"<ref>{{cite web|work=iTunes|title=Holy Show|author=Apple Music|date=2020-08-14|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/holy-show-single/1524680067}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Rats" | 2021 | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Be by Your Side" | rowspan="3" | 2022 | rowspan="3" | ''Leave The Light On'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hearts & Minds" |- ! scope="row"| "No Good Woman" |- ! scope="row" | "Suffer" |2023 | rowspan="4" | ''Name Your Sorrow'' |- ! scope="row" | "Gone" | rowspan="3" |2024 |- ! scope="row"| "Like A Lesson" |- ! scope="row"| "Heavy Pour" |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{official website}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Irish rock music groups Category:Irish indie rock groups Category:Irish alternative rock groups Category:Musical groups from Dublin (city) Category:Musical groups established in 2016 Category:Specialist Subject Records artists Category:Irish LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:2016 establishments in Ireland Category:Irish all-female bands Category:All-female rock bands Category:Royal Mountain Records artists