Q&A: Majesty Palm

This we week welcomed Majesty Palm to our Resonate artist of the week hall of fame and delved into an in-depth insight into the dynamic duo.

Majesty Palm have been turning heads with the duo’s unique blend of Pop, Funk & New Wave which was solidified by winning the SAMA’s 2024 “Best Newcomer” award. Recently they enjoyed success in the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2024 competition becoming one of the finalists, performing as part of the live show as well as announcing their debut at this year’s TRNSMT festival. As well as receiving regular airplay from BBC Introducing, tthey have now been featured on BBC Radio 1’s Introducing show with Jess Iszatt. Throughout each release and live performance, Majesty Palm are gearing themselves up for huge success.

Can you tell us the story of how Majesty Palm came together? How did you meet and decide to start creating music as a duo?

We met kind of through mutual pals, Cameron needed a singer for one of the tunes he was making at the time and we just collaborated on a song as two separate artists. I think we quickly realised that we work well together and both shared a similar mindset for where we wanted the direction of the music to go and decided to start releasing music as a band. I think once we realised that we bounce so well off of each other creatively and shared the same goals with the music, it only made sense to start the band and start creating and releasing together. - Olivia 

Who inspired you to make music - and since becoming a duo are there influences from each other you have been introduced to that you now love?

It's a hard one to pin down to be fair! I got into guitar and rock music when I was 10 after watching School of Rock haha and I'd always hear bands like AC/DC, Linkin Park & Metallica around the house so I was just drawn to playing and listening to music more and more. I've went through the metal phase, and am still probably maybe in it, but I've always loved pop music and especially funk stuff, 80s bands and I'm a sucker for Dua Lipa. I think we've always liked the same music and bands and always drawn upon similar influences throughout our time writing music together which I guess is why we've continued to do it! - Cameron

I kind of grew up listening to a lot of 80s bands like Simple Minds, Depeche Mode, The Blue Nile, it was just I would hear round the house and when I met Cameron we bonded over those shared influences, which are so important to the music we make now. Fleetwood Mac has always been a massive one for me too, I've always been a massive fan of Stevie Nicks and that was what got me into writing songs originally. But yeah, pop musics the big one, we obviously both share such a love for pop music and it's always been a massive love of mine whilst growing up, so it's cool to make music that reflects that now. -Olivia

How would you describe the music that you create?

We do take a lot of different influences and genres and kind of blend them all together, but the music is pop at it's core. Pop music is what brought us together as a a band and we've always shared such a love for it, but we also both have such a love for 80s and disco music. I think we try and blend those influences and our love for current pop music to create something that has those nostalgic elements, but also is new and exciting. - Olivia

As a duo, do you find that the dynamic between the two of you influences your creative process?

Yeah definitely! Our process hasn't changed much over the years we've been working together but I'd say we've definitely gotten more used to each other as individuals and understand more and more how each other works. Usually an idea will start with myself - I'll produce a track or a small idea to begin with and I'm always thinking what can we do differently or expand upon sonically that we've done before, and also write something that I think Olivia will like which in turn influences my creative process. I've always been in bands before where its more of a collective writing process where everyone chips in on different parts or songs entirely but I've always really enjoyed working with Olivia as a duo as I think we pull from a lot of the same influences, have a similar outlook on how we hear music but we also have our own inspirations which can bring unexpected spins on things and makes it what it is. - Cameron

What role does your local Scottish music scene play in your career? Are there any artists or venues that have been particularly supportive or influential to you?

The Scottish music scene has been so important to our growth as a band, we've always felt really welcomed and supported and it's allowed us to gain more confidence and opportunities that we are so grateful for. First of all, there are so many talented bands and artists. To be surrounded by that is really exciting and motivating to be apart of and so many of them were so welcoming when we first started releasing music and playing gigs. Of course, the small music venues in Scotland who give smaller artists the opportunity to play and be seen are extremely important and we've benefitted so much from getting the opportunity to play in these venues. King Tuts is one that will always stand out to us as they were the ones to put us on for our first gig and we ended up headlining it back in January this year which was a special moment for us. Local promoters like Crowded Flat as well, they have shown us so much support and have done that for so many bands in the scene. You can tell they just have such a love for the scene in Scotland and working with people like that is so motivating and important to the growth of local bands and artists. We feel really proud to be part of the music scene in Scotland and to be surrounded by so many talented and supportive people and we've been given so many opportunities because of it that we'll carry with us. - Olivia

You’ve recently had a whirlwind of success—from winning "Best Newcomer" at the SAMA’s 2024 to becoming finalists in the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year and performing at TRNSMT. What have these milestones meant for you, and how do you feel they’ve shaped the band’s journey so far?

It's been a bit mental to be honest. Its always been a dream from a young age since being involved in music and playing in bands to play at TRNSMT or T in the Park back in the day and something that you never actually think will come to be a reality. To play at this years TRNSMT was a massive moment for all of us I think and to have the recognition from the music scene at both the SAMA's and the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year meant so much too to have almost like the validation that whatever we're doing is connecting with people which is class to be fair. 

I think all these milestones have massively shaped our journey so far. Even from our first gig being at King Tuts which is such a renowned venue I think each kinda thing that we've done has led to the next thing which has been even bigger and better and I think with every gig or opportunity we've had has given us more confidence in ourselves as performers and artists in general which has helped us grow to where we are now. - Cameron

With Tenement Trail coming up later this year, what can fans expect from your performance there? Any bands you’re wanting to see?

You can expect some new tunes from us which will be exciting to play live! Of course there'll be plenty of tunes for everyone to dance to so we're buzzing for the day, we can't wait. There are so many bands we're buzzing to see as well, Bottle Rockets, Lacuna, VLURE, Fright Years, just fingers crossed our set isn't clashing with any of them! -Olivia

Looking forward, what’s next for Majesty Palm after Tenement Trail? Are there any upcoming projects or releases you can tease for us?

We have a few things planned which we can't announce justtttt yet! Definitely more music to round off the year alongside some more shows too. We've been building and planning a lot throughout this year and can't wait to share what we've been up to over the coming months with everyone! - Cameron

Listen to Majesty Palms brand new release ‘Borderline’ now