Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Lawson.
Hi Cindy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was born ten years after my closest brother, so while growing up I was surrounded by my teen siblings playing records of the best of ’60s music from the Beatles to Motown. Then, coming of age in the 70s I fell in love with glam rockers Elton John, Bowie, T Rex, and of course all the female rockers like LaBelle, Stevie Nicks, Heart, and Linda Ronstadt. When punk came along it was impossible not to embrace it fully and form my own all-female band in Minneapolis, The Clams. We had regional success and remain a fond memory for Minnesota club goers back in the 80s.
I played in bands in the ’90s both in Minneapolis and NYC but left the music scene for an extended length of time. 25 years later, as the pandemic raged, I started writing songs and 2021 formed a band. We released a full-length album in May of 2022 on Boston’s Rum Bar Records and a Holiday single in November of 2022. Our new single, “Don’t Come Crying To Me” will be released on April 7, 2023, followed by a video shot at the Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I have gotten older, I’ve found that the biggest obstacles in my life have been the ones I’ve put in my own way.
Self-doubt, fear, and anxiety have challenged me more and have caused me more grief than if I had been able to be a lot less critical of myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of the fact that I represent a population of women that don’t often get the spotlight. I am over 60 and play rock and roll. I refuse to go quietly – I’ve been a rocker all my life whether I’ve been on or offstage-always fighting for truth and fairness and visibility.
There’s no reason to stop doing what you love if it brings you joy. Also, I’ve got a wide range of influences and my songs run the gamut from girl-group-type melodic music to high energy rant ‘n rave rock songs.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
Music! I was surrounded by music growing up and different memories have different soundtracks.
The musical score of my teen years came from my AM transistor radio, and then as soon as I could buy records I would blast those 45s and LPs much to my parent’s chagrin. And back then on weekend TV you could watch The Midnight Special, Saturday Night Live, and Soul Train. The memories of seeing Chaka Khan with Rufus, James Brown, and The Jackson 5 on Soul Train are permanently etched into my pre-teen and teen brain.
Contact Info:
- Website: cindysongs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy.lawson/
Image Credits
Paul Lundgren, Dan Michener, Paul Engebretson, Chelsea Oxborough, and Bunny Palmer
