Minneapolis punk icon Cindy Lawson is back with “The Reckoning” — a fiery, no-holds-barred anthem for anyone who’s ever been burned or betrayed. After walking away from the scene she helped build alongside The Replacements and Soul Asylum, Lawson returns with a vengeance on Hygh Tension Records (TLG)/Virgin Records. The new official music video (out Oct. 10) captures her raw power and fearless storytelling — think Patti Smith meets Sleater-Kinney with decades of lived-in grit. This is a punk revival with purpose — loud, unapologetic, and long overdue.
She’s an American singer/songwriter both charming and profane; a sweet and sassy mix of Ronnie Spector and Iggy Pop. Whether it’s a 60’s girl group inspired ditty, or a spitting punk rock infused anthem, Cindy gives it her all and then some. She began her rock and roll career in Minneapolis in 1985 with the all-female rock band, The Clams. Over the years, she played in several bands in Minneapolis and New York City, but then took a break starting in the late ’90s. Cindy returned in full force in 2021, and in 2022 released “New Tricks,” her first full-length record in 25 years on Boston’s Rum Bar Records. New Tricks got airplay both nationally (on Little Steven’s Underground Garage and on Little Steven’s Coolest Songs in the World) and internationally, garnering rave reviews and airplay across the globe.
In 2023, Cindy released a new single and video called “Don’t Come Crying To Me” that was immediately picked for Little Steven’s Coolest Songs in the World Channel on Sirius XM. The EP “Don’t Come Crying To Me” was released on November 15, 2023. Her songs have been streamed more than 57,000 times according to Spotify for Artists, and the song “Don’t Come Crying To Me” was chosen as Song of The Day on 89.3 The Current for January 12, 2024, in the top ten of 2023 local releases on RacketMN, listed on KFAI’s list of “Best Local Releases of 2023.” Two songs from the EP, “I Don’t Want You Anymore” and “Screamin’ White Jezus,” have been in daily rotation on Stevie’s Coolest Songs station since the beginning of November 2023. Since her first ‘comeback’ show in September of 2021, she’s played hundreds of shows throughout Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Boston. During that time she’s opened for Everclear, The Dollyrots, The Dogmatics, The Suburbs, Tina and the B Sides, The Melismatics, Mark Mallman, The Von Tramps, Run Westy Run, Colin Bracewell, Venus DeMars and All the Pretty Horses, and many more. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
- Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
CINDY LAWSON: When I was almost seventeen, I was able to sneak into the coolest punk club in Minneapolis, The Longhorn. Onstage playing were hometown heroes The Suburbs and I was transfixed. I had seen pictures of punk rock kids in New York and London in my high school library, but this was the real thing up close. Actually, if you wanted to be specific, they were ‘new wave’ but the energy was inspiring.
- Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
CINDY LAWSON: I had taken acoustic guitar lessons, and I had been acting in theater productions and went to a performing arts high school. When I was older my friends were all musicians, so I listened and learned from them. I learned how to play drums and took a little piano. I’ve surrounded myself with people who are so much more talented than me, and they generously give me support and encouragement.
- Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound?
CINDY LAWSON: I love it all-I love 60’s girl groups, and I love all the pop music of the 70’s but I also love all the music that came from the underground-the Monks, the European beat music, and then punk and new wave. Women musicians have inspired me most like Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, and Rickie Lee Jones-not so much in my sound, but in their way of creating whole new worlds and ideas through their music. I’m also inspired by bands I see-The Dollyrots, Lambrini Girls, Die Spitz, and Bad Cop Bad Cop. Regionally, there’s the Gully Boys, Vial, Georgia Conley Ramin’s projects, The Mary Jam, Holly & the Nice Lions, Crush Scene, Radium Girls, and the iconic Venus deMars & All the Pretty Horses. Punk, funk, alt-country, you name it-it’s all there.
- What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
CINDY LAWSON: The fact that I’m returning to music after so many years has given me insight and meaning into my art. These songs come from an honest and sincere place and reflect my attitude towards the world. My hope is that listeners can find enjoyment and kinship in my songs.
- For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?
CINDY LAWSON: When I pulled together my first original band (The Clams-one of a handful of all-female bands in 1980’s Minneapolis) I was open to anything. We started as pop punk, then morphed into a New York Dolls type glam. After that ended, my songwriting matured into a more individualistic sound that took from all my early influences.
- Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
CINDY LAWSON: I can’t help but say what’s on my mind-what’s making me happy or angry. Playing live in front of an audience is an opportunity to connect and share with the community. I can’t ignore the state of the world and of course I have opinions and thoughts. Conversely, I also want to show by example resilience and persistence because the world is tough and giving up isn’t an option.
- Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
CINDY LAWSON: If I wasn’t feeling fulfillment in this music, I wouldn’t do it. Life is too short to put your heart and soul into something that doesn’t give back some satisfaction.
- Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
CINDY LAWSON: Melodies hit me first-then a combination of words that fit together. Sometimes a whole finished song presents itself to me, and sometimes just phrases or chord progressions. When I present these to my band they’ll often pick pieces to expand, or move around. If I’m working with a specific producer in the studio, I’ll often get ideas.
- What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
CINDY LAWSON: I think this may be true for every artist, but self-doubt is a big one for me. I try to stay grateful and humble and recognize that we all struggle to achieve peace and contentment in our lives.
- On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release “The Reckoning” and future plans.
CINDY LAWSON: The biggest and most exciting achievements for me have been meeting and making friends with so many talented and interesting people once I ‘came back’ into music. To have people that I admire accept me as a fellow artist and throw their support behind me is such a gift.
- With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
CINDY LAWSON: Believe me, no one can tear me down like I can do to myself. Social media isn’t anyone’s friend-it’s a money making operation built to diminish us into thinking we’re not good enough. Of course I love the fact that it’s opened up the world and you can make connections and promote your music, but it is just one of many tools to use.
- Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
CINDY LAWSON: I love it all. In the studio, you can dial down to the tiniest detail and push yourself to focus on the fabric and meaning of the song, and then there’s nothing like playing in front of an audience and getting that immediate feedback. I enjoy both experiences and find a lot of satisfaction both creating music and then playing it.
- Do you think it is important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
CINDY LAWSON: Once a song is out there, it’s really no longer your own. It’s an honor to me when someone hears a song of mine and finds special meaning.
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