Musician Cindy Lawson is not afraid to say what she’s feeling. After taking a break from music, her new single, The Reckoning”, has pulled her back into the craft at full force. It’s powerful and unforgiving nature screams in delight at the karmic wheel of life. Beyond the music, Lawson is dedicated to community. Supporting efforts like Minnesota Music Resistance Group, International Institute of Minnesota, and Abortion Access Front, she highlights the importance of making a difference. To learn more about Cindy Lawson and her music, read on.

Where are you based?
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What inspired you to pursue music?
I’ve always been musical. When I was a little girl, I was constantly singing everything-songs, commercial jingles-everything I heard.

How would you describe your music genre? Are there any artists in particular that inspire your sound?
I’d say I fall into the category of Pop punk or Punk pop. I don’t think in terms of genre when I’m writing, however. I wrote a song called “What if She Followed Him to Nashville” that was on my last EP, and the song presented itself to me as a traditional country song. I firmly believe that my best work happens when I allow the song to come to fruition organically. As far as being inspired as an artist, I look at the work of Joni Mitchell and Nina Simone. It’s difficult to be taken seriously as a female artist now, and it was especially daunting to be a creative woman in history. They used to burn us as witches!

It had been a long time since you released music or performed, but you made an inspiring comeback in 2021. What made you jump back in?
The world was dealing with the pandemic, and I think most of us were reevaluating our lives and purpose. I realized that I needed to feed my soul and express myself through some kind of art form. Writing songs and performing them filled that empty space in my life.

Congratulations on your new single “The Reckoning”! What inspired this song? What is the story behind it?
Thanks! I’ve experienced a lot of great things in my life, but then I’ve also experienced some very harsh and defeating moments that have affected how I think about myself and the world. I wrote “The Reckoning” after finding out that a person who was especially devious finally had to deal with the consequences of his actions. To be clear, he was sued not for what he did to me, but to another woman, and in the spirit of community with this woman (and the many others he injured) I felt some justice was done. I understand that it is more pious to turn the other cheek and forgive people, but at that moment, I was definitely NOT feeling forgiveness.

“The Reckoning” has a gritty, defiant nature to it. How does creating songs like these with such strong messaging help empower you and work through tough situations?
We all must survive through tough situations. That is life as a functioning adult. I share these struggles with the hope that the listeners know they are not alone.

How has your writing process and focus changed since the last time you were fully involved with music in the late 90’s?
I’m older and wiser. My goals and dreams and inspirations have shifted a bit to being less self-centered and more community based.

What do you hope to inspire listeners with your new music?
I am an anomaly in the music business. I am a post-menopausal 60+ queer woman who has lived many lives and accomplished many great things. I’m not afraid to tell the truth about where we are in this country and how we can’t give up on each other.

You are a part of the Minnesota Music Resistance Group. Can you tell us about this group, its goals, and how you’re involved?
The Minnesota Music Resistance was born out of frustration with changing times after the 2024 Election, a need for comradely, a desire to help or benefit those most at risk during the next four years, and a love of music. It’s a young organization, and we’re still figuring out how we can best support and enact human rights, inclusion, and the fight against authoritarianism that threatens all the livelihoods and existence of ourselves and our communities. We do that as a community with online communication and in-person meetings.

For your 60th birthday you held a fundraiser with the money going towards the International Institute of Minnesota. What made you choose this agency to donate to?
In August of 2021, the U.S. evacuated over 100,000 Afghanistan families, mostly women and children, to America for refuge. Many of these families arrived in Minnesota and the International Institute of Minnesota is an organization that supports incoming refugees with services they need. They connect them to housing, vocational training, citizenship services, English classes. Being able to raise money for this organization and the work they do was a no-brainer for me when I turned 60 in October of 2021.

You are also a big supporter of abortion rights and have worked with Lizz Winstead’s Abortion Access Front. Why are abortion rights so important to you?
Bodily autonomy is our right as human beings. Reproductive oppression is used as a tool to control women, people of color, and people living on low incomes. It is so maddening to me that the Supreme Court is pushing to rescind rights that we worked so hard to achieve.

With the direction our current administration is leading us in, why is it more important than ever to support and fight for these rights?
It’s not an option to be quiet. It’s not an option to just roll over. I love Henry Rollin’s quote in 2016 when Trump first got into office: "This is not a time to be dismayed; this is punk rock time. This is what Joe Strummer trained you for. It is now time to go. You’re a good person. That means more now than ever.”

What are some ways our readers can support abortion rights?
Follow the news and be informed. Put your hard-earned money where your mouth is. Don’t support corporations that are actively working to take away your rights.

What advice do you have for young girls who want to pursue music?
Learn everything. Do you want to be the star on the stage? Great, but learn what it takes to get there. Learn and practice your instrument and how to write a song. Learn how your electronics and current technology can work to your benefit. Learn the business, how to book a gig, how to publicize the show, how to publish your work, and how to make a video. Team up with other women who have a common goal. And enjoy it all along the way.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
I’ve got some songs already recorded and I’m recording a few more next month. We’ve got really fun shows coming up and some touring next Spring.

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
Being with my friends, seeing bands, seeing art that challenges the status quo, and remembering to do self-care when needed.

What is your motto in life?
“It’s a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.”

To learn more about Cindy Lawson, please check out the links below:
https://cindysongs.com/
Instagram
Bandcamp
YouTube
Facebook

Cindy Lawson: Empowerment & Community