Introducing: Queen Cult

Hailing from Macclesfield in the UK, Queen Cult’s brand of raw and passionate post-punk is winning them fans wherever they play. After a UK tour and the release of their Woman That I Know EP, we spoke to Maisie Johnson about the EP, working with Music Venue Trust, and more.

First up, could you tell us a bit about Queen Cult?

We are a four-piece femme queer pop-rock band from Macclesfield fronted by Maisie & Leila, with Piers on guitar and Brodie on drums. Me and Leila formed QC 4 years ago, and a lot has changed along the way! Since the pandemic, we have rebirthed the band and its meaning.

What inspires you to write in terms of lyrical content?

Anything and everything around us that leaves enough of a mark to have something to say. It always seems quite ‘in the moment’ for us.

Who has had the most influence on your music?

It varies between us all really! I grew up on a lot of pop coming from a small northern town, you’re not really exposed to a lot unless your parents give you things to listen to generally. High school felt like the most influencing time, and for me, my brothers gave me many tapes to listen to. It’s anything from Gaga to Jeff Buckley, Aerosmith to Alanis etc.

For Leila it’s Arctic Monkeys, Libertines, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Piers has a very eclectic taste from funk soul to metal. Brodie predominantly comes from a Metal background and some electronic influences.

What has been the biggest highlight of your musical career so far?

We have recently just released our first EP right after our first tour which was funded by the National Lottery in arrangement with Music Venue Trust as part of the Revive Live Tour campaign to help grassroots venues stay afloat and allow emerging bands and artists to get back on the road after the pandemic stinting a lot of development.

It has been an incredible shift for us, and we can’t wait to get back out!! Some Spotify official playlisting was a bonus too. So, it’s been an incredible highlight just doing what we are doing!

What has been the most memorable gig you’ve played?

I could probably speak for all of us and say I remember a very amazing feeling for us, when returning this year after a million lockdowns playing the Sugarmill in Stoke on Trent – it was our first gig with a new line-up and set on a nice stage. The catharsis and release it gave for not only us but for the people that had been deprived of watching live music for nearly two years, was special. Everything was electric and again the week after in Sheffield at a sold-out show was FIRE!

You recently toured with LibraLibra – what did that feel compared to pre-pandemic gigging?

Knackering! Haha a lot of driving and organisation but also incredible to experience it, knowing it was our first ever tour, you are always gonna remember that. A different experience every day. You build a real bond with each other. Serotonin high is intense, and the crash isn’t fun afterward but worth it! LibraLibra are SO lovely and properly bring the energy! Before the pandemic it felt like a different life. We were different people back then and weren’t as true to ourselves in some ways I think. We’ve grown a lot, and now we don’t care, and we give it our all.

What track would you love to cover?

This is such a hard question. Honestly, I’d say something outrageous like George Michael – Careless Whisper or Matt Wilder – Break My Stride.  Absolute belters!

What other Macclesfield bands or musicians should we be checking out right now?

Cassia is from Macclesfield, pretty sure they live in Germany now! Sinclair and The Perps being other bands doing well right now! Check them out.

What’s the inspiration behind the lyrics to Woman That I Know?

It actually came from a transitional period during lockdown, I had split up with my girlfriend weeks before the lockdown started, and I had truly lost myself. The song is about self-reflection and finding yourself again after you’ve exercised every part of yourself for someone else.

But I wanted to highlight all the parts that are eventually quite empowering through the delivery of the vocals. I wanted to sound quite tired in the first verse, then that self-pity kicking in, that everyone is fine but me, getting back on my feet and facing it and choosing to move forward and allow myself to grow.

That’s the direct inspiration, but I think you can interpret it or generalise it however you want. We have a lot of politically charged songs, so I know some people have interpreted it that way or that it’s about the patriarchy and maybe, in some ways it is!

What’s up next for Queen Cult?

We are in for a lot of graft this year! So, fingers crossed plenty. We’re gonna keep on the road as much as possible and keep giving you some music! We are juggling our day jobs at the moment, so a lot is happening! Maybe some visuals next…!

You can listen to the Woman That I Know EP by Queen Cult on all major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Deezer, and Spotify. Head over to the band’s socials – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – for other streaming and downloading alternatives.