Zippy Laske‘s self-titled EP is honest and hopeful and danceable. What more could we need in music today? The album is coming out Friday, June 13 with a show at the Green Room with an exciting line up. (Learn more below!)
Please tell us about yourself and your music.
I grew up in North Dakota – my vocal roots stemmed from country music. I started writing and playing my own music at an early age. My grandma would drive me across North Dakota and Minnesota to play at churches, county fairs, and local bars.
In 2009, I moved to Saint Paul to attend McNally Smith College of Music. It is there, I found a sound of my own. I was exposed to so much new music through my peers, teachers, and going to shows – it felt like the possibilities were endless. I started to experiment with my writing and singing style. I was drawn to pop stars like Ellie Goulding, Madonna, Roisin Murphy, Kimbra (the list goes on) – these fierce female leads. While at the same time, I was obsessively listening to bands like The Flaming Lips and Gorillaz. During this time, I was the front woman of the original rock band, The Gumsmackers, and was part of the EDM group Bionic Motion. It was also during this time I was given my nickname – Zippy – and it’s stuck ever since.
In 2015, I had my first daughter and took quite a bit of time away from the music scene. I was still working on music on and off, but my focus was motherhood and going back to school.I slowly began to emerge from my nesting cocoon, joining the cast of Island of Discarded Women as the podcast singer and songwriter in 2018.
In 2023, I started collaborating with musician & producer DGS Sutton. I met DGS at McNally Smith and had always admired their musical style and abilities. They played on my first album, and we had done a handful of shows together – but in the last couple of years our friendship and musical bond truly blossomed. We have very similar musical taste – so writing music with DGS just feels so natural and easy. We are just genuinely having a good time – and I think that comes across in the music.
Man, the music on your upcoming self-titled album is honest. I love The High Dive, but whoa – honest. What gives you the courage or gumption to write and sing songs that are so genuine?
It is how I have always written music. For me, writing music is like channeling this inner voice or inner wisdom – that comes out in melodic form. When I finish a song – it feels like a release – a weight off my chest. Yes, it is honest and personal – but it is also a collective thought process and energy that belongs to everyone. It reveals the most vulnerable parts of ourselves and has the capability to break us out of our cyclical tendencies. In the song The High Dive, I sing about this – almost hysterical – realization that no one actually gives a F*** about what I do or don’t do – so, I’m just going to do me. There is so much content out there (in the world) – it’s chaotic to sort through. This song is a statement saying – I’m no longer going to be a victim of consumerism, I am going to live my own truth as a creator.
Inhibition is uplifting with the literal message of “let go.” What is the role of music for you in letting go or just keeping on balance?
Inhibition is this powerful anthem that celebrates uniqueness and individuality. Our bodies all respond to different types of music or genres – what inspires and moves me may not be the same music that inspires and moves you. And that is okay. To truly let go, is to let go of both the internal and external criticisms, and to trust that whatever you vibe or think is cool is VALID and AMAZING. I try to keep this in the forefront of my mind when writing or performing. If it feels good in my body to sing it, to write it, that’s good enough for me.
I know your work from the Island of Discarded Women. It’s fun to hear your music but you are also quite honest and forthcoming with your commentary. Can you tell us about the show and how you got involved?
I met Sue Scott in the lobby of the History Theater after a raw reading of Sisters of Peace in 2018. I overheard her talking about a podcast she was starting up, and the need for a songwriter to help create original music for the podcast. I thought, hmm – well that’s incredibly timely – I happen to be a songwriter! I’ve been working for her ever since. Sue has this tremendous ability to gather women from all across the board, and to unite us in a way that makes us feel like we can take on the world. The Island of Discarded Women is satirical, heartfelt, and often politically driven. Women share their stories – we laugh, we cry, we sing, and, most importantly, we get shit done (inside joke if you’ve seen the show). Each episode, Sue gives me a writing prompt based on the show theme. Sometimes the prompt is specific, and sometimes it’s a bit more ambiguous – either way, I am always granted permission to write the song from my perspective as to how the prompt relates to my own life. It’s been an exciting challenge to write something new each show – and has refined my skills as songwriter and performer.
Please tell us about the EP release.
The EP comes out on Friday June 13th, 2025. DGS Sutton produced all five tracks of this new EP. The EP is self-titled and very much pop-inspired – incorporating orchestral elements and high-energy synths. These songs are testament to beginning again – a rebirth and transformation into a version one’s oneself that feels authentic, fierce, and unbothered by popular opinion.
We are celebrating with a release party show that very same night (on Friday June 13th 2025) at the Green Room in Minneapolis at 730PM. I wanted this release party to feel like a collaborative experience celebrating artists of all sorts. Mama Rose is a featured musician who is a dear friend of mine, and has always inspired me by her boldness in words and deeds. She is kicking off the night with an acoustic set. The iconic Chastity Brown will be joining as a special guest musician – sharing her solo music. I’ll be performing a full-production set with musicians DGS Sutton and Chris Fleming. The set is fun, dramatic, and embodies the world this EP was dreamt from. Stylist and aesthetic director Lisa Gherardini has been an important piece in bringing this show to life. Additionally, featured florist Jennifer Joyce will be curating dried florals for purchase, and featured artist Stephanie Jarret will be showcasing her paintings and creating postcards for purchase.
Releasing this EP is like opening a gate to a place I once called home. I am, oh, so grateful to have returned.
Mostly Minnesota 