Caitlin Edwards, the singer of suburban punk ska band, Bumsy & The Moochers, and founder of local music fest, Punk The Burbs, just released her debut solo record. We caught up with her to discuss how her new project and to reflect on past milestones, her creative process, and what’s coming up next.
Caitlin Edwards is having a moment. Actually, it is just the latest moment she is having. As lead singer for the popular suburban Chicago ska band Bumsy & The Moochers (BATM), Edwards founded the area punk fest, Punk the Burbs, almost a decade ago. On February 25, 2023, Edwards introduced her tunes from debut solo record Pluto Party during her release show at Cobra Lounge in Chicago, IL. The first single off the independently released album is the infectiously fun “Unlucky Charm.” In addition to her vocals, Edwards played the guitar, bass, and violin. John Perrin, noted below as well, played the drums. For her live band, pictured below in this piece, it’s Tim Flynn (L) on bass, and drummer Andrew Cielo (R). Oh, and Bruce, her friend’s pup and also pictured below, is the musical mascot to them all.
MG: How did you get your start in music?
CE: “I started playing violin when I was ten. My dad always played guitar and of course I listened to a lot of rock bands then so I picked up the guitar at thirteen. I taught myself how to play guitar, but having that experience playing on the violin helped. Callous already on the fingers and all that.“
MG: Who are some of your musical influences?
CE: “Most recently The Muffs, Beabadoobee, The Beths, Best Coast. Of course Green Day, Weezer, Oasis, and The Copyrights will always be bands that influence me throughout my life.”
MG: Did you have a writing partner for your solo work and is the songwriting with BATM collaborative?
CE:“Typically songs just come to me at random or just waking up from a dream. Sometimes when I’m walking around or in the shower. This goes for both projects. I could never just sit down and be like ok, gonna write a song. It just doesn’t work that way for me. Sometimes in BATM, other members will bring song ideas, chords, lyrics to the table and we’ll collaboratively write.”
MG: What’s the best show or tour you’ve ever played and why was it so special to you?
CE: “Probably Bumsy and the Moochers playing at FEST 20 last year. I’ve always wanted to play FEST. We put on our best set and the crowd was wild. So much love. For my solo project I had a ton of fun playing this recent album release show at Cobra Lounge. Once again, so much love and just having people come up to me saying they loved the album. Such an amazing feeling.”
MG: Do you have any funny or interesting stories from being on the road that you can share with us?
CE: “One time Bumsy and the Moochers played in St. Louis. We stayed at the coolest Airbnb that was a loft. Had a ping-pong table, fancy showers and beds. Then we played at this tiny hole-in-the-wall bar where there was Street Fighter 2 that people could play. I must’ve played everyone in that bar and kicked their ass. Of course I was Blanka, that’s my guy. Lol. Then we played this show with mostly pop punk bands, but everyone dug us. Even one dude said, I hate ska, but I love you guys. Not really an interesting story, just a fun time on tour.”
MG: What are some of your favorite songs to play live?
CE: “In my solo project I love playing “No Kids” and “All That Fun.” They’re songs that aren’t the typical pop punk songs that I’m used to playing so I enjoy doing something different. But I also love playing “Guess Again.” Just love the energy that song brings.”
MG: How does your creative process differ from album to album?
CE: “For my solo band, I take a lot of time writing songs, adding new parts or lyrics, seeing which songs would fit in an album because it’s just me. No input from others encourages me to make sure I’m doing everything I can to make sure my songs sound good. With Bumsy and the Moochers, even when I just write a song, I’m still getting input from everyone else. At times it’s easier because you’re getting so many ideas, but at times it’s harder. Sometimes it’s hard for us to agree on something, too many cooks in the kitchen so to speak.”
MG: How did you found Punk the Burbs and how has it been?
CE: “I created the Punk The Burbs Facebook group in 2014. Just wanted a Facebook for people to post shows, ads, events in the burbs since there was mostly groups for shows happening in the city. Doing Punk The Burbs every year is a lot of hard work, but I’m glad I’ve helped create more of a music community in the burbs. I’m also glad that we’ve introduced a lot of people to new bands they may have never heard before.”
MG: How much of the year is occupied organizing the fest each year? Do you have a team to help?
CE: “It really takes up most of the year to organize the fest. So much goes into it, even more when it’s Jason [Fein of The Run Around] and myself doing most of the work. We’ve had volunteers help at the fest before in the past, but that’s it. We’d love to have more help and actual employees next time around.“
MG: How did you decide to do a solo record at this point?
CE: “I’ve actually been wanting to do a solo record since I was a teenager. Just never got around to it because other things were happening in life, school, other bands, you know how it goes. I finally started to get serious about a solo project in 2017. Up until 2019, I never had enough songs to do an album. With everything that happened to me from 2019-2022, I suddenly had a ton of material that would be perfect for an album.“
MG: Tell us about the musicians who backed you on the record? Who produced it?
CE: “I played the guitar, violin, bass, and vocals on this record. My friend John Perrin did the drums. I knew he could do the drums exactly how I imagined them and he did! I did the production work as well. Dan Precision [Dan Wleklinski of 88 Fingers Louie and formerly of Rise Against] mixed and mastered the album. There was a few things he put in that weren’t there before. For example, the orchestral part in “Lip”, Dan came up with that. Definitely gave that song more emotion.“
MG: How do you balance Bumsy, PTB and new solo work, along with your day job/life?
CE: “I actually balance it all pretty easy these days. I’ve been doing it for such a long time, it just comes naturally. If I wasn’t doing all that stuff, I’d probably get bored. Though a nice break from Punk The Burbs Fest I wouldn’t mind. I’d much rather be creating music than being on the business side of it.“
MG: Along with that band release, do you have plans to our solo or will you play solo work on the same bill as BATM?
CE: ”I like to keep Bumsy and my solo project pretty separate. I’d get exhausted playing the same show together or doing a tour back-to-back. I am trying to piece together a solo weekender tour at the moment for 2023.”
MG: How did the song “Unlucky Charm” come about and was it about anything personally?
CE: “Like most people, I experience anxiety from time to time. When I was younger, it was a lot worse. I used to get panic attacks. Nowadays, I have my anxiety way more under control. Music, therapy, and loved ones helped me no doubt. That’s what “Unlucky Charm” is about. Having anxiety around you for a long time and finally not letting it hang around in your life anymore.“
MG: Who directed the video for it and what was the inspiration for the video?
CE: “Justin Sostre directed the video. He’s also Bumsy and the Moochers trumpet player. Amazing musician and super cool dude. I came up with the idea. Anxiety is something that can feel like it’s always lurking, or sometimes sneaks up on you. I figured why don’t we have anxiety literally doing that, but as a creepy masked person? I always loved music videos with humor and a message. So that’s why if anything it’s meant to be a really funny video on something serious.“
MG: What do you have upcoming, both as a solo artist, with the band and with Punk the Burbs?
CE: ”My solo project has two shows coming up. We’re playing at Programme Skate and sound in Fullerton, CA April 15th. [Spoke with Edwards prior to the Fullerton, CA date]. We’re also playing at the Village Theater in Davenport, IA April 28th.”
It’s a good time for Caitlin Edwards and she’s grabbing hold of the momentum via her talent, her work, and ability to have fun as well. Check out Pluto Party, as soon as you can and get yourself to a show when she hits your town, solo or leading Bumsy and the Moochers!
