The band took to their social media to announce the news saying; “Very excited to announce that we’ve just signed a deal with Sub Pop Publishing. We’re over the moon that our album is getting recognition we couldn’t have even dreamed of when we decided to self release during a pandemic but we’re really feeling the love. Thank you!”

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This comes following the band’s debut US television performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Band members Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly joined James Corden remotely for an interview. The four-piece band then performed Liffey from their new album In Waiting.

In the interview, where James Corden referred to them as “an outrageously talented rock band” the band was asked about the pressure of releasing an album during a pandemic, Sarah replied saying; “It’s a strange time to release an album, but we released it ourselves, did all the mail orders ourselves, so it was a really exciting time, and all the feedback has been really positive. Hopefully, when we can get back out and gigging, it’ll have been worth the wait.”

In Waiting was released in September 2020 and tells the story of unity, community and inclusivity, showcasing a modern Ireland that is moving away from the power the Catholic Church held over the country for so long. The album includes the stunning singles HowDoILook, Brothers, Handsome Week, Holy show and Gay Girls, which was featured on the soundtrack for the film Dating Amber. The song also received a nomination for the RTE Choice Music Prize song of the year, as well as international airplay on NPR’s World Cafe & KEXP.

Artists who have signed the pledge include;  Stephen Rea, Sinéad Cusack, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Damien Dempsey, Sharon Shannon, Robert Ballagh, Mary Black, Kíla, Sisterix, CMAT, Pillow Queens, Kneecap, TPM, Steo Wall, Oein DeBhairduin and Roisin El Cherif as well as established figures Kevin Barry, Joe Rooney, Mary Coughlan, Derbhle Crotty, Paul Duane and Eugene O’Hare.

Would you look at this, over 1,000! It’s amazing and we are so delighted to reach this landmark of Irish solidarity with #Palestine. #BDS is UNSTOPPABLE
Over 1000 Irish artists pledge to boycott Israel in support of Palestine https://t.co/swFxLJ68Z1 via @hotpress

— IPSC (@ipsc48) January 25, 2021

Signing this pledge means these artists will not perform in the apartheid state of Isreal. In a statement of the IPSC website, it states; “these artists refuse to allow their art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights.” 

Zoë Lawlor, IPSC Cultural Liaison spoke about the news to Hotpress saying; “We are very proud to have so many artists sign up to our pledge, reaching 1,000 signatories is a huge landmark in Irish solidarity with Palestine and a serious statement in support of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.”

“As the indigenous Palestinian people endure their 73rd year of dispossession, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and enforced exile, and western governments fail to sanction Israel, they need the solidarity of people of conscience – and this pledge plays a major part in that, Irish artists have faced an extremely difficult year, but have still shown their support for the Palestinian people, and it is both moving and heartening so see such empathy and shared humanity.”

If you are an Irish artist or an artist based in Ireland and would like to add your signature, please contact culturalboycott@ipsc.ie. The full pledge is below.

“In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”

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Band members Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly joined Corden remotely for an interview. The four-piece band then performed Liffey from their new album In Waiting, which was nominated for an RTÉ Choice Music Prize last week.

In the interview, where James Corden referred to them as “an outrageously talented rock band” the band was asked about the pressure of releasing an album during a pandemic, Sarah replied saying; “It’s a strange time to release an album, but we released it ourselves, did all the mail orders ourselves, so it was a really exciting time, and all the feedback has been really positive. Hopefully, when we can get back out and gigging, it’ll have been worth the wait.”

The band also revealed their secret to keeping motivated as they recorded In Waiting in Donegal in late November 2019. The band jumped into the Atlantic together, to “take the cobwebs off.” Pamela commented on the experience saying; “It worked, I think – the album sounds great, it got our juices flowing. I lost my swimming togs, though.”

This comes following the band’s decision to reschedule their Irish tour. The tour was meant to take place in February and March of 2021 but because of the ongoing global health crisis, the band made the decision to move the dates to August and September. The band’s UK dates are still scheduled to go ahead at the moment.

You can watch the full interview and Pillow Queen’s performance of Liffey below. Pillow Queens tour dates will also be below.

25/03/2021 – Stereo – Glasgow
26/03 – YES – Manchester
28/03 – The Lexington – London
29/03 – Green Door Store – Brighton
04/04 -Sunflower Lounge – Birmingham
06/04 – Crofters Rights – Bristol
19/08 – Set Theatre – Kilkenny
20/08 – Dolan’s Warehouse – Limerick
21/08 – Róisín Dubh – Galway
22/08 – Mike The Pies – Listowel
27/08 – Button Factory – Dublin
28/08 – Button Factory – Dublin
02/09 – Spirit Store – Dundalk
03/09 – Sandino’s – Derry
04/09 – Ulster Sports Club – Belfast