In an industry where egos often get in the way, Prima Queen’s Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden are a rare breed. They’re not just creative partners; they’re best friends who happen to make music together.
Their connection is deep, genuine, and rare, like an unspoken pact to always have each other’s back. Ahead of their debut album, we sat down to talk about how they met, their ever-evolving sound, and why service stations are more than just a pit stop for them.
Harvey: So, let’s kick things off with how you two met. You’ve mentioned in past interviews how it felt like an instant connection, but could you take me through that moment? How did it all begin?
Kristin: I think the moment we met, it was clear we were going to be best friends. It wasn’t the sort of thing you get to decide, it just happened.
Louise: It really did. It’s funny, you usually hear about that kind of bond in romantic situations, but it was like, ‘Okay, we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, creatively at least.’ We’ve been together for years now, and I still feel that way.
Kristin: And it’s funny because, in the beginning, you’re like, ‘I want to be your best friend,’ but then you’re trying to build that trust and connection, figuring each other out. I remember staying at Louise’s place, and she had a close friend in the bed with her, and I thought, ‘I want to be the best friend, but I have to earn that.’
Harvey: That’s an interesting way to think about it. It’s like a relationship, but not in the romantic sense, right? Was it more certain than any romantic relationship you’ve had before?
Louise: Oh, absolutely. It felt more certain than anything else, really. We got married in a way – you know, when you have to prove a relationship for a visa, they make it feel so official. But it’s strange because we’ve always been committed to each other, just not in a traditional romantic way.
Kristin: Yeah, it’s like, we’re already married, just not to each other. It’s not about romance, but it’s a commitment that’s equally serious. We know each other that well.
Harvey: And I imagine that bond must make it challenging when you’re in other relationships, trying to split time between partners and creative collaborators. Do your partners ever give you a hard time about it?
Kristin: (laughs) Sometimes, but it’s different because it’s not just ‘I’m going to hang out with my best friend.’ We work together. So it’s not like it’s just a social thing – they understand, even if it’s a bit strange.
Louise: Right, and they see how much work we’ve put in together, how much we’ve built. If they want to stick around, they know that comes with the territory.
Harvey: It must be a lot to balance. Speaking of balance, let’s talk about your debut album, coming out after all the touring and collaborations you’ve done. How does it feel to have your first album finally coming out after all this time?
Louise: Honestly, it feels right. Having that experience before working on the album gave us a unique perspective. We were really thinking about what the songs would feel like live and how we could make them connect with our fans. We’ve done so much already, but now we can finally show the world our first big statement.
Kristin: Yeah, exactly. We’ve been on the road, getting to know ourselves and our fans better. So when it came time to put together this album, we felt more prepared than we would’ve had we done it sooner. It’s a big moment, and we’re ready for it.
Harvey: That’s amazing. And the way your voices complement each other on stage – it often sounds like it’s one voice. When you write music, do you think of it as one voice, or do you each bring your own individuality into it?
Louise: It’s a bit of both. At first, we tried to make everything feel like it came from both of us, but sometimes that made things tricky. We’d end up asking, ‘Would I say that?’ or ‘Does this line represent me, too?’ It started feeling like no one’s story, really. But now we’ve found a better way – whoever sings lead, that’s their story, and the other one adds to it.
Kristin: It depends on the song. For instance, in a song like ‘The Prize’, both of us are really present, but we’ve found that it works best when we take turns leading. We’re different in how we sing, our accents, our backgrounds – and we lean into that.
Louise: It’s funny. With our accents, we actually make different shapes with our mouths when we sing. I have a more O-shaped mouth, while Kristin’s is spread. So if I were to sing in her accent, it just wouldn’t work.
Harvey: That’s really interesting. So, is there a difference between your individual musical voices and the “Prima Queen” voice?
Kristin: Definitely. There’s a certain confidence and vulnerability that comes with the “Prima Queen” voice. It’s like we’re bolder and more open than we might be in everyday life. Some of the things we sing about are things you wouldn’t share with anyone, let alone put in a song. But when we’re in that “Prima Queen” space, it feels right.
Louise: It’s true. It’s a space where we can hide behind the persona and still say these vulnerable things. It’s like, ‘That’s not me; it’s Prima Queen.’ It’s a little liberating, actually.
Harvey: It’s like you get to be your truest self without fully revealing yourself. So, do you ever hold anything back when writing, or is everything fair game?
Louise: I think everything goes into the music. But sometimes, when we’re editing, we might think, ‘Maybe this is too much,’ and pull back. But for the most part, we try to be as honest as possible.
Kristin: Yeah, there are some moments we hold back, but it’s really rare. And it’s easier to be open because we’re both part of this persona, so it’s not like it’s just me or just Louise. We can share the weight of that vulnerability.
Harvey: I love that. It’s like you can push each other to be more raw. Speaking of raw, ‘Oats’ is a song full of frustration and longing. It’s got this sharp honesty. How did that come about?
Louise: ‘Oats’ is about those feelings that come up when you’re dating – that constant push and pull, where you’re trying to get affection from someone who’s just not giving it. It’s like you’re doing all these things, trying to get love, and then you realise you shouldn’t have to do that at all.
Kristin: Exactly. It’s a bit silly when you think about it, but also really painful. You get so close to people, but then they push you away. And that’s when you have to walk away and stand up for yourself.
Louise: The details in the song – like the robe – make it feel so specific, but that’s what makes it so relatable. Everyone’s been there, you know?
Harvey: Absolutely. It’s one of those songs that people are going to hear and feel like, ‘That’s exactly how I feel.’
Kristin: Yeah, it’s universal, but it’s still our story. We just found a way to turn that frustration into something empowering, instead of just writing a sad song about it.
Harvey: I think you’ve nailed that balance. Lastly, you’re both in this strange and wonderful world of being musicians, constantly on the move. Do you have a favourite pit stop when you’re on the road? Any service station stories?
Louise: Oh, we love service stations! It’s such a strange, fun part of the road trip. My favourite is Fleet – it just has this energy. But we’ve had some deep conversations at service stations, too.
Kristin: Yeah, we love it. It’s where we get to stretch our legs, but it’s also where we have those little moments of joy – like getting excited about whether it’s going to be M&S or Greggs!
Louise: (laughing) Oh, and you know when you check the service station reviews online? It’s like reading a novel about a tiny, unspoken world. There’s something about those places that makes you feel like you can just sit and be with someone for a moment.
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