Cindy Lawson is releasing her upcoming album, Don’t Come Crying to Me, on November 22 at the Hook and Ladder. We had a chance to catch up with her to talk about the music, the musicians and the show. It leaves me even more for the show!
Don’t Come Crying to Me feels even more girl-power than your last album, New Tricks, because in songs like Don’t Come Crying and I Don’t Want You Anymore, it feels like you’ve lost patience with certain men and you’re not afraid to let them know. I’m wondering when you write those songs, is it cathartic, is it sharing cautionary tales, is it frustration? What makes them so powerful?
I love that question! I’ve actually had I Don’t Want You Anymore in my back pocket, so to speak, for a while and it could have been on New Tricks. Each song has a different gestation and birthing process. Sometimes I’ll just have a melody and an idea and bring it to the band and if it doesn’t sound like what I’m thinking in my head, then those pieces go back to the drawing board and I kick them around for another few months or so. There’s another song on the EP that came from chords from a completely different song that we worked on last year that never really came together. I wrote two or three sets of lyrics and even reached out to another (more talented!) writer/musician to help out. In the studio, we went back to the second version of the lyrics because at that time they felt more ‘true’. So, to answer your question, while it seems like the songs on the EP are showing a move into a certain direction, they just happen to be the songs that came together at the right time. A melody will come to me and then phrases or words follow – and sometimes I’m full of joy and love and other times I’m completely fed up and angry. But I have to sit quietly and let ideas and melodies come to me. It’s like a word game or puzzle to put these phrases and ideas together to express a sincere thought and feeling. I can’t sing words I don’t believe in. And of course being able to perform those angry songs live is really cathartic. It’s great to have that outlet to express my frustration with the world right now or to share my joy, too!
Please tell us more about Screaming White Jezus. It sings to my recovering Catholic school heart.
That song was inspired by the very sexy Eric Levy, who fronts the equally sexy and woefully underappreciated band The Unnamed. I discovered them in the fall of 2021. Eric is a gorgeous man with wild hair and he looked just like all those pictures of the white Jesus in my grade school Catholic books and on crucifixes from my childhood. I hope it’s not a surprise to anyone but Jesus was NOT A WHITE CAUCASIAN MAN. The whole band is very, very sexy and I do mention keyboardist Carol Cunnington and saxophonist Matt Pahl, and I should give a shout out to their rhythm section, Nick Hook and John Vitale. They sings songs about polyamory and about ‘scaring the squares’ but my favorite song of theirs is “Fear and Violence” which has the line “Fuck the NRA”, which is a sentiment that I stand behind 10000%!
Are you going to do a video for What If She Followed Him To Nashville? Will it star Jon Clifford from HiFi Hair? This is the song I will listen to most at home. The storytelling and the pace have a dreamy quality of songs about the road less traveled.
That’s a great idea except Jon’s got more of a sexy rocker look than Americana. He was so fun to work with in the first video we made “The Devil’s in the Details” off of New Tricks. He’s certainly very telegenic. And funnily enough, I’ve shared with him the backstory of that song, which is not really a secret, but something I haven’t made ‘public’. I’m glad that you called it a ‘dreamy quality’, because I wrote it as a dreamy, happy song. I don’t have any regrets about any of the choices I made in my life. I’m probably still alive because I’ve opted out of some of those opportunities that were presented to me. In the 80’s and 90’s I had so many crazy experiences with people and I look back and think how lucky I am to have survived it all and have become a healthy and peaceful 62 year old.
I want to give you a chance to say something about the amazing musicians who play with you – come rain and shine as I recall from last summer.
I have known Jerry Lefkowitz since the mid 90’s, when he joined my band Whoops Kitty. His reputation preceeded him-he was known as an incredibly melodic and creative guitarist as well as a lovely human being. And, in keeping with the theme here, he’s very sexy. I love all my sexy handsome dudes! I’ve admired leggy supermodel Dave Randall for years with his work in the Boot R&B, and Kinda Kinky. And of course once you see dashing Mark DEVeraj play, you are instantly DEVoted. These guys are integral to the sound of my band and they all are a super fun hang. I feel like I’ve gotten the chance to re-live my youth without all the insecurities and competitiveness that I held on to the first time around. I’m having the time of my life and truly feel so damn lucky to do this.
Please tell us about the album release and the bands who are playing with you.
I’m so excited to be playing with two bands-wait for it-full of sexy people! But seriously, I fell for Surly Grrly instantly when I saw them. They call out injustice or stupidity when they see it and their youth and exuberance is so inspiring. Medbh, Eloise, Lou, and Peter are so sincere and passionate about what they do and they walk the walk, too. It’s a delight to see them developing over time and realizing their potential. They are true activists in every sense of the word. Spit Takes boasts the talents of guitarists Monet (L’Assassins, The Toxenes, Mad Mojo Jett, etc) and Angie (Big Salt) with powerhouse singer Vanessa (Pink Triggers) and drummer Charles. I love their confrontational and in-your-face punk rock. And, not to forget, I have a sexy MC that night-Miss Gosh Alice, former Miss Twin Cities Pride and former Miss Gay Southeast Minnesota, who will rule over the proceedings.
All in all, it will be a very sexy night full of sexiness and rock and roll! We’re going to have the new cd, new t-shirts and stickers and all kinds of fun gifty, stocking stuffer type merch! The night before Thanksgiving is the perfect night to go out and we are so excited to play for you!
Mostly Minnesota 