1) Who are the members of your band and how did you meet?
My name is Laura Lee Bishop, and I am Primo. I write, produce, and record everything myself. I don’t say that to sound cocky, but because I believe women are so completely underrepresented as producers and band leaders, our visibility is really important to me. Also, this is my baby, my blood, sweat, and tears (literally), so I don’t ever want to underplay or diminish my hard work and creativity. I’ve earned it, and for many musicians, it’s all we have. Sometimes I will get emails that say, “I really like that chick, your lead singer.” And in my head I’ll be like, “NO, DAMN IT! I AM PRIMO!! AHHHH!!!” Outwardly, I take the compliment, and let it go, but there is something to be said for this mentality.

On stage, I always introduce myself as Primo, and then introduce my band members by their real names; I try to create a distinction there, or I’ll often mention writing or recording the songs. So, it’s interesting when, after hearing all this, people are still unable to wrap their heads around the notion that a woman created something on her own, that she’s more than just a “singer.” It’s that, or no one is paying attention to anything I say, which is also very possible. Lol.

Either way, I didn’t go on that tangent to take away from the guys who play with me because they’re great and very supportive. We have a good time together. I’m especially partial to my drummer, John Michael, whom I met in 6th grade… Probably because he’s also my husband =) My bass player, JD King, was a lucky Craigslist find, and Dimitri Hammond, my keyboardist, is a friend of my husband’s.

2) How long have you been in Austin and how long have you played music?
I’ve been playing music for as long as I can remember but have bounced around through different styles, genres, and side-projects. I majored in record production at NYU, so my first real gigs were in Manhattan. After college, I moved to Austin and played here for several years before moving to Nashville and then back to Austin again in 2014. My alter-ego, Primo, is a new project with my first EP, “To the Max!”, released in 2017, so I’ve been playing out as Primo for the last couple years.

3) Has the city of Austin had any influence in the style or direction of your music?
Austin is more influential when I’m working on other music projects, my singer/songwritery stuff. My inspiration for Primo comes from science fiction, outer space, the lavish excess of the 80s, feminism, and badassery.

4) Do you perform live shows in Austin, and if so,what are your favorite venues?
I do perform in Austin. John Wickham at Elysium has been really good to me. I even played a show there the night before my wedding.

5) Are there other bands in Austin you’d recommend to your fans?
I’m just dipping my toe into the whole synthwave scene, but one of my buddies is in the band Iris, and they are synthwavey. I also really like Night Drive.

6) What musicians have most influenced you?
I always hate this question because it’s impossible to remember them all, and I always forget someone really important!! But to name a few, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Freddie Mercury/Queen, Heart, Meat Loaf, Springsteen, Bowie, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Toto, Elvis, Madonna, Guns N’ Roses… (Yes, it’s a weird mix, but they each offer me something a little different, something I can’t live without.)

7) What’s the best thing to that has happened to your band?
I was asked to play an official showcase at SXSW this year, and that meant a lot to me. I think it’s a sign I’m headed in the right direction.

8) Any cringe-worthy moments the band has endured that you’re willing to divulge?
We just played a show in the middle of summer in a bar with no air conditioning or sound engineer, so that was definitely cringe-worthy… and anger-inducing… but the really juicy stuff is too scandalous to repeat (seriously, not exaggerating; I’m sure a lot of musicians can relate).

9) Is there anything you’d care to share or anything else you’d like to let us know about?
I’m currently recording my second EP/album, tentatively titled “#1 Alien,” and I’m hoping to have it out in the fall. It’s a really eclectic mix of styles, ranging from 80s hair metal to upbeat electro to darker synthwave stuff. A lot of it is already recorded, but new songs keep coming to me, so I’m thinking this one will be full length!

10) Give us one fun fact.
I recorded my entire EP in my guest room. The great thing about this genre is that most of it doesn’t have to be produced in a big, fancy (expensive) studio. You can do almost anything with a computer, a microphone, and a lot of patience.