Cool pics taken by Glen Gray, Dave Biljan & Dan Michener
MELT THE GUNS
Sorry for the late email this month.
On Friday, August 11, two men with guns attended a house show at the venue Nudieland in South Minneapolis and opened fire, killing one person and injuring many others.
The gunmen invaded a peaceful, loving and inclusive community and shattered lives-and the repercussions of their actions will reverberate for many years to come. My daughter Lulu is a member of this close knit group that organizes and plays house shows across the country, and her best friend’s partner was killed, and her friends (including one of her band members) were shot. My disgust for a country that allows the NRA to buy politicians who shape our gun laws knows no bounds. Our children are being killed right in front of our eyes again and again. Melt the guns.
On Sunday (9/10) I’m singing a song at the Do Re #MeToo Sexist Songs Reclaimed by Righteous Feminists also at the Parkway. This is a benefit to raise money for Abortion Access Force, an organization that supports abortion providers and works to increase awareness and action towards keeping abortion legal and safe.
On September 14, Jerry and I will be doing one of our duo sets to open for the coolest gal Genevieve Hayward who is an insanely talented songwriter and performer. We’ll be playing at the Underground Music Cafe and the show starts at 8P. Ukulele songstress Katy Vernon will open the show. I can’t recommend Gen highly enough-she’s wonderful.
I’m going to sing a few Pretenders songs with the Goo Goo Mucks (no, I didn’t get Entry tickets! Boo!) at a benefit at the VFW for MN Punk stalwart Rob Tossava on Sunday, September 17. He has been fighting a very aggressive cancer for several months now, and we hope to raise tons of money. Dillinger 4, Fret Rattles, and a host of other bands are playing.
Moving on to full band shows, we’re headed back to Green Bay on September 22 to play At The Tracks with bands DUSK and Ditch the Hubcap, then on to Eau Claire to play with the Jaggernauts at the Mousetrap on September 23. I LOVE THE ROAD TRIPS!
On October 7 we get to play with the freakin’ awesome The Von Tramps at the Green Room. I’ve been wanting to play with them forever and we finally were able to line it up! The Carnegies are kicking off the night and it's their first show in a long time, so be there or be square!
AND FOR THE FUNNEST NEWS OF ALL-we have our record release party scheduled and you are all cordially invited! We’ll be playing the Hook & Ladder on November 22 with two badass bands-Surly Grrly and Spit Takes-and the evening will be hosted by none other than Former Miss Twin Cities Pride, Gosh Alice Jones! Come join us!
We’ll be following up our record release show with an in-store at Barely Brothers on Small Business Saturday, 11/25. I’m breaking out the Santa suit again.
Be safe and love each other.
xoCindy
“Watching Cindy Lawson sing has a way of putting a smile on your face. A charismatic performer, she exudes a love of the music and it rubs off on you as you watch. This Friday, her band teams up with garage punk band Mad Mojo Jett and Holly & The Nice Lions from Green Bay. Friday, Sept. 1, at 9:30 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar ($15).” - Sheila Regan
— Minnpost
sAY DO YOU REMEMBER DANCING IN SEPTEMBER?
mORE MUSINGS.
Hi everyone,
Phew! It’s already August and the summer was a blur of shows complete with insects, rain storms, drum thrones sinking into the grass, road trips, drag queens, Jerry singing Cher at karaoke, and many cool and crazy people.
As I’ve said many times before, I just have to pinch myself to believe that my life has come back around with music. There was a time when I could not ever imagine playing again. And here I am - hanging out with Jerry, Dave, and Mark - three guys who never fail to make me laugh and impress me with their individual creativity and drive. And I’ve met so many amazing people-you among them. I am grateful each and every day for this gift.
I still come up against a few challenges-the arthritis pain in my hands is very frustrating. I’ve got a great “hand guy” who gives me STT injections twice yearly. They are absolutely the MOST FUN THING I GET TO DO. (Sarcasm alert)
In happier news, SEPTEMBER is going to be nuts-First, we kick it off with a late night show at Palmer’s on Friday, September 1 with the fantastic HOLLY AND THE NICE LIONS (Green Bay) and Minneapolis favorites (and RUM BAR records labelmates) MAD MOJO JETT.
We’re revisiting the Big Star tribute show with a performance on September 7th at the Parkway. Last year’s show was a great success and we hope to top it this year!
On September 10th at the Parkway, I’ll be singing at DO RE #METOO, an “evening of powerful feminists reclaiming the most misogynistic songs you love to hate — all to benefit the amazing work of Abortion Access Front (AAF).”
Jerry Lefkowitz and I will be doing a stripped down duo set opening for the insanely talented and groovy Genevieve Hayward (also from Wisconsin-I’m sensing a trend here, Ha!) at the Underground Music Cafe on Thursday, September 14th.
There’s fun stuff coming up for the rest of the year, INCLUDING A RUM BAR RECORDS RECORD RELEASE in November! Stay tuned for the updates.
Love you all-XO
PALMFEST 2023
An extreme amount of fun was had last weekend.
Thank you to Palmer's staff and all the amazing bands. It was a delicious sampler of all the cool music Minneapolis has to offer.
Our weekend in Winona, MN and Dubuque, IA
At the Convivium Urban Farmstead in Dubuque, IA
From the observation deck of the Fourth Street Elevator, Dubuque, IA
Rooftop of the Smokestack bar, Dubuque, IA
No Name Bar in Winona, MN
FIRST AVENUE'S ROCK LOTTERY
25 MUSICIANS, FIVE BANDS, 48 HOURS
Twenty-five Minnesota music artists can take a breather after working under a tight deadline.
In its first Rock Lottery, the legendary concert venue First Avenue drafted them into five bands Wednesday and gave them just 48 hours to create a set.