Caitlin Edwards is a pop rock/punk solo artist from Chicago, Illinois. Best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the ska punk band Bumsy and the Moochers, she’s also been fronting her own trio for years. Releasing music on her own terms and touring across the U.S., Edwards delivers shows packed with energy, grit, and an infectious sense of fun that keeps audiences coming back for more. She embodies the self-made spirit of punk with a pop edge.
Origins + Identity
SNQLX: For those just discovering you—how would you describe the difference between Caitlin Edwards the solo artist and Caitlin Edwards from Bumsy and the Moochers?
CAITLIN: My solo band is more punk, pop punk, surf. Where Bumsy is more ska, punk, and funk. My solo band also has less people and no horns. But I think anyone would like either band.
SNQLX: When did you first realize that Ska music would be your creative lifeline?
CAITLIN: I would say music in general has been my creative lifeline. I’ve listened to punk since I was 7, listening to iggy and the stooges, Green Day, offspring. In high school I mostly listened to pop punk, but didn’t really get into ska till college. It wasn’t till I was 13 that I started picking up my dad’s guitar and making up songs. Around that time I was going through anxiety, dating, teenage stuff.
Music became a perfect outlet to express all the teenage chaos.
SNQLX: Chicago has such a deep punk and ska history—how has the city shaped your sound?
CAITLIN: A lot of my influences come from local bands that I saw and played with when I was younger like The copyrights, Downtown struts, Flatfoot 56, Waste basket. I remember seeing Waste Basket who was the biggest ska band in Chicago at the time. I thought wow, ska looks hard to play but they’re having so much fun up there and making people dance. At that time I didn’t think I’d be good enough to start a ska band, but when I wanted to start playing different genres in college I thought, why not try ska? Took a bit, but I think I got the hang of it now. Haha
Songwriting + Creative Process
SNQLX: How do you approach songwriting?
CAITLIN: I never sit down and say, hey I’m gonna write a song. Usually melodies or lyrics come to me when I’m walking around, in dreams, or in the shower. Sometimes a cool riff emerges when I’m noodling on the guitar. Sometimes I start writing the lyrics first, other times it’s the music first. It’s awesome when I can finish writing a song in one day but usually it takes some time and demoing before there’s a finished product.
SNQLX: What themes or stories keep coming back in your solo work?
CAITLIN: Subjects like mental health struggles and relationships always seem to be a main theme in my music. However, this next record is going to reach other themes I may not have touched as much.
When I’m on stage, I feel like myself. — Caitlin Edwards
SNQLX: Do you prefer to write alone or collaborate with your trio band?
CAITLIN: In my solo band, I usually write all the music and lyrics, then bring it to practice. In Bumsy it’s a mix of writing something on my own and then bringing it to band practice to see what everyone else might add. Sometimes Bumsy will just jam until something starts to sound good and maybe we’ll turn it into a song. I prefer both.
DIY + Independence
SNQLX: You’ve stayed fully independent—what’s the biggest challenge, and what’s the biggest reward of doing it all yourself?
CAITLIN: The biggest challenge is reaching an audience. You’re always fighting the algorithm and hoping people will see a new video or hear a song you just dropped. When you’re on a good label that knows how to promote bands well, your music gets seen or heard more.
However, when you’re independent artist the reward is that everything goes to you. No splitting royalties, no other hands in your pockets. It also feels good when you start getting a following and knowing all the hard work you done on your own (recording, booking a tour, setting up a show), was worth it.
SNQLX: Do you think independence gives you more freedom to experiment with style and sound?
CAITLIN: For sure, another reason I love my solo band is because I can write and sing about whatever I want! In Bumsy I’m pretty limitless as well, but there’s certain genres of music that I want to play that I just can’t play in Bumsy. In my solo band, I don’t have to worry about horn parts. I love a good horn section, but writing for brass can be difficult.
Live Shows
SNQLX: Your live shows are known for being high-energy and fun—what’s your favorite part of being on stage?
CAITLIN: Just being able to let loose and almost become a different person. When I’m on stage, I feel like myself. It’s also an incredible feeling when you see people singing along and dancing to your music.
SNQLX: Do you have a most memorable gig or tour moment that stands out?
CAITLIN: For my solo band, it was our Gilman show we just played August 31st. I’ve been wanting to play there since I was 14 years old. It’s legendary! Definitely a dream come true. For Bumsy my most memorable gig was when we played FEST for the first time. We were playing early Sunday morning at the Palomino. I kept thinking, we’d be lucky just to get a few people watching us! Or does anybody really care to see us? Turns out we had a ton of fans from all over and a bunch of Chicago fans too. People loved our new record at the time, Diet Violence. I saw people singing along! I had no idea it was gonna be that big of a response. Such a fun crowd that morning.
Looking Ahead
SNQLX: What’s next for you—new releases, tours, collaborations we should keep an eye out for?
CAITLIN: I feel like I’ve been playing a lot of shows this year and we just got done with our west coast tour. For the rest of the year, both my bands will be working on new music and recording. Stay tuned!
Just for Fun
SNQLX: If you could create a dream Chicago lineup for a hometown show, who’s on the bill with you?
CAITLIN: If it’s just Chicago bands?
Caitlin Edwards, Downtown Struts, The Copyrights , and Calico Plaid
SNQLX: Which song of yours would you hand to someone who’s never heard you before as the perfect intro?
CAITLIN: “Unlucky Charm” – Caitlin Edwards
It’s a song a feel that really captures my sound and what I like to write about. Plus it’s such a good song, well written, makes you bang your head. 🙂
Caitlin Edwards has proven herself a dual force—fronting the horn-charged chaos of Bumsy and the Moochers while carving her own lane with a trio that thrives on punk grit and pop hooks. At every turn she’s chasing the joy that first made music her lifeline, from Chicago basements to legendary stages like Gilman. Independence hasn’t just defined her path—it’s sharpened her voice. And with new music on the way, Edwards is set to keep turning that duality into something unforgettable.
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