When we first heard MisterWives’ Reflection album back in 2014, we knew there was something special about the band—aside from their stellar sound and infectious energy. It’s because the lead singer Mandy Lee is vegan!
To celebrate the release of MisterWives’ latest album, Nosebleeds, we spoke with Lee to learn more about the album and her vegan lifestyle on the road. Let’s get to it!
Courtesy of Matty Vogel
VegOut (VO): How were you first introduced to veganism, and when did you decide to adopt the lifestyle?
Mandy Lee (ML): I grew up loving animals and rescuing every stray cat in my neighborhood, but never put together how my love for animals didn’t reflect what was on my plate. When I was 15, I took one of my sister’s books with me for a flight that was all about veganism. When I landed, I made the life-changing decision to go vegan and never looked back. I quickly got my first job at Vegan Treats which made the transition extra sweet. And soon after, got a serving gig at Blossom where I met our drummer who worked down the block at Peacefood. While veganism has absolutely transformed my health and well-being for the better, it also is the reason our band started!
VO: Do you run into obstacles finding vegan options in some of the cities you tour in? If so, what do you do when that occurs?
ML: It’s been incredible seeing the glow up of veganism and how much more mainstream it’s become which has definitely made touring easier. I feel lucky I’ve been touring for ten years, so I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing where to go for every city and if I don’t, I use the app HappyCow, which helps locate the nearest vegan options. When we first started touring, the options were sometimes slim to none, so I packed a hot plate and would buy groceries and cook in our van or hotel room. Ten years later, I still bring a hot plate but now because I just miss cooking while on the road and thankfully not because I can’t find vegan-friendly options around.
VO: What is your pre-show routine?
ML: [My] pre-show routine is my most grounding part of the day on tour! I’ll usually have a protein smoothie post-lunch—just to give myself extra fuel since the show is so physically demanding—accompanied with a ginger shot to wake up and tea to help soothe the vocal cords! A solid 30-minute vocal warm-up while I do hair and makeup, get into show clothes, stretch, some breathwork to help calm my nerves, and then it’s hands-in time, where we do a little chant that we’ve been doing since our first show.
Courtesy of Matty Vogel
VO: If you could go to one vegan restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
ML: This is tough because there are so many amazing restaurants, but I think abcV [in NYC] takes the cake for my favorite veg restaurant! Their dishes are so innovative with the boldest, freshest ingredients that always leave me completely mesmerized with each bite. Close second fave would be Crossroads Kitchen [in Los Angeles], whose carbonara will forever blow me away and was such a pioneer in creating vegan egg yolk made from tomatoes.
VO: Congrats on your new album, Nosebleeds, and for persisting through the many obstacles your band has faced. Any tips for other creatives trying to work through hardships?
ML: Thank you so much for the kind words! While the industry can definitely feel like a neverending obstacle course, I would say the most important thing is to not give up on yourself and to always trust your inner knowing. If you believe in what you’re creating, that’s the North Star to keep following despite what others may say. Honestly, just like veganism—I remember being made fun of and heavily criticized as a teenager for being vegan, but I believed in my decision and didn’t let others deter me from what I knew to be right for me.
VO: Nosebleeds has quite a different sound than previous albums. What inspired this change?
ML: While the punches that kept coming inspired the change, my shift in showing up honestly and not censoring parts of myself really allowed this record to take shape. It felt like a disservice to my experience to try and sugarcoat my emotions sonically and lyrically for the sake of staying in whatever genre we’ve been put into. It was incredibly liberating to throw away the concept of genre and let suppressed feelings surface by owning my truth without fear of judgment or needing outside validation.
VO: What do you hope to leave your fans feeling after listening to Nosebleeds?
ML: I hope Nosebleeds empowers you to expand when others tell you to shrink, to give yourself permission to show up authentically as yourself, and as always the biggest gift of music—to help anyone who listens feel less alone in the loneliest, hardest parts of life.
Courtesy of Matty Vogel
Follow Mandy Lee on Instagram at @mandyleed.
