Unveiling the Musical Journey: An Interview with Bass Player Lindsay Manfredi of Cold
- Amit Ahuja
- Jan 21
- 12 min read
Updated: Mar 3
I recently had the exciting opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with Lindsay Manfredi, the talented bassist of the band Cold. Throughout our conversation, we delved deep into her musical journey, discussing her early influences, the experiences that shaped her as an artist, and her role in the band. In addition to music, we explored some of her personal hobbies and interests, which added another layer to our dialogue. I believe you will find this insightful discussion both informative and enjoyable!
AA: Please share your background with us. I'd love to learn about where you're from, your upbringing, and how your cultural heritage has influenced who you are today. Also, what significant life experiences have played a crucial role in shaping your identity?
LM: I grew up in a very religious household, where everything was about serving God. There was a lot of fear and judgement around God, and I always felt like it was all bullshit from a very young age. This belief caused me to rebel in just about every way you possibly could. My escape was music.
AA: I am eager to explore your musical journey in depth. Could you share a specific moment or experience that served as the catalyst for your passion for music?
LM: The music of the 80’s and 90’s shaped me as a kid. I went from dancing to Debbie Gibson, Madonna, and Milli Vanilli to being a teenager of the 90’s. I immediately fell in love with Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Tool, and Soundgarden. I remember smoking weed with my friend Krista after school at her house and just sitting in front of the speakers of her stereo and dissecting the music, hearing every part in perfect detail. I would picture myself onstage playing. That vision actually started when I was very young in the 80’s as I listened to my favorite Debbie Gibson songs. But when I first heard Hole and Courtney Love, I knew what I wanted to do. I started playing my dad’s Alverez acoustic, learning chords from a Mel Bay chord book and started writing my own songs.
AA: I’m curious about what led you to make the decision to pursue this path seriously.
LM: I constantly wrote and constantly played. I moved out of my hometown at 20 years old to start a band and play music. I was working in the tattoo industry as a body piercer after having done an apprenticeship. That career allowed me to get a job anywhere I went. I ended up moving to Tampa at 21 and that’s when I put my second serious band together and did my first studio recording. I was always the front girl and played guitar. In 2003, I gave up on music after that band broke up and moved back to Indiana. I had my trans son and got my degree in Comm Arts and Business. I figured I’d go into marketing. I got married and that’s when my then husband bought me a bass. We put a band together and I fell in love with the instrument. That was in 2006. We ended up divorcing, but I never stopped playing.
AA: Additionally, what challenges did you encounter along the way, and how did you navigate them?
LM: The music industry is tricky to navigate. I’m so grateful I got back into music. I never knew if I would “make it” per se. I just knew I loved to play and tour. I was in many bands before Scooter hired me for Cold.
AA: It would be great to hear about the specific steps you took to transform your passion into a successful career in music.
LM: The key here was being in the right place at the right time. I was a huge Cold fan from the very first album. I saw them open up for Kid Rock at the Metro in Chicago and immediately was drawn to them. That was before I even moved to Florida. When 13 Ways came out, I got the spider tattooed on my arm. It was also featured in the Year of the Spider album. I happened to be playing bass in a band called Picture Yes, and we were on tour with Saving Abel. A Cold fan was there and saw my tattoo. It eventually got back to Scooter and that started my journey with them in 2014. I honestly just never gave up on playing. I was touring the country in a van, and I was living my best life.
Cold Bass Player- Lindsay Manfredi
AA: Can you share the names of the bands you were a part of prior to joining Cold?
LM: The first band I was in was called No Strings Attached, aka NSA, then a band called 33 because that was my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song (that was in Gainesville FL), then a band called Pretty Machine Gun (Tampa), then We’re Not Mexican (Indianapolis), then Neon Love Life (Indy) and Picture Yes (Indy), Chasing the Sun (Indy), and then Cold hired me.
AA: Additionally, I'd love to know what experiences you gained from those earlier projects and how they helped you enhance your skills and grow as a musician once you became a member of Cold.
LM: Practice, practice, practice.
AA: Can you walk me through how you initially got involved with Cold as their bassist player? What factors influenced your decision to join this band and its various projects?
LM: I immediately said yes to Cold.
AA: Additionally, are there specific experiences or memorable moments from your time with them that have significantly impacted you or shaped your musical journey?
LM: Every tour is an incredible experience. I love our fans and the cold army, and I love my bandmates. We all have such a mutual respect for one another, as artists and humans. We are very lucky in that regard.
AA: As a bassist, what are your favorite songs to perform live, and what significance do these songs hold for you?
LM: Some of my favorite songs to perform live are Ocean, Don’t Belong, Whatever You Became, Insane, Anti-Love Song and With My Mind.
AA: What makes these particular pieces stand out in your experience as a musician?
LM: These pieces stand out because they’re very bass driven. Most Cold songs are, but these are some of my faves.
AA: Could you provide some behind-the-scenes insights into your role as the bass player during the music creative process?
LM: Scooter is the main writer and creator in the band. We get to add our flair, and I got to help write Better Human. I wrote the chord progression of the chorus. My job is to serve the songs. Whatever sounds best is what we do.
AA: What specific techniques or approaches do you use to enhance the music? We would love to hear about your experiences and how you collaborate with other musicians to bring the songs to life!
LM: It’s all about working together to make the songs sound their very best. Cold is very dark and grungy. So that’s the sound I go for. I achieve it with my Dark Glass Alpha Omega preamp.
AA: Can you recall the details of your very first live performance? Describe the setting, the crowd’s energy, and the anticipation leading up to that moment. What were your thoughts and feelings as you stepped onto the stage, and how did it impact you both during the performance and afterward? I’m sure I was nervous.
LM: I’m sure I was nervous. I’m always nervous for the first week of tour, but then we typically get into a good flow.
AA: Can you share a funny or embarrassing moment from a live performance?
LM: I once was playing a show and forgot the bass rhythm. I walked to the side of the stage and pretended to have a gear issue until I was able to recall it. No one ever knew, and I was immediately able to get back in it. I’ve shared that story on a few podcasts. It was years ago, but it’s still funny when I talk about it.
AA: What three standout qualities set you apart and make you genuinely exceptional as a guitarist? Please elaborate on each quality, providing specific examples of how they contribute to your unique style and proficiency in playing. I don’t consider myself of “great” guitarist.
LM: I do what I do humbly and practice nonstop leading up to tours. My job is to serve the song. Not myself.
AA: How do you personally define and visualize success in your life?
LM: Success to me is living in alignment with purpose. I’m very spiritual and believe we are here to love, serve, and find what makes our soul ignite.
AA: What specific achievements, feelings, or milestones come to mind when you think about what it means to be successful?
LM: Being asked to be in Cold was a huge milestone for me, along with publishing my first book Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery in 2020. I am currently working on my second book while preparing for this tour. I’ve been working on it since I got back from my spring tour in 2024.
AA: How would you describe the concept of happiness in your life? What specific experiences, relationships, or achievements contribute to your sense of joy and fulfillment?
LM: Happiness is a gift you give yourself. It’s a choice. My priority to myself and commitment to my own boundaries and what I want to accomplish are the things that are important to my happiness. And a good night’s sleep. And sobriety. All those things.
AA: Share three individuals who have significantly influenced your life, positively or negatively, and explain why.
LM: There are too many people to mention here. Some of my key teachers have been the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, along with Dr. Joe Dispenza, Gabrielle Bernsein, and Mel Robbins.
AA: When it comes to movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonate with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?
LM: One of my all-time favorite movies is Garden State. The soundtrack is incredible. I also love horror films and thrillers.
AA: As for TV shows, which ones do you find yourself eagerly tuning in to? What about these shows captivates you—could it be the plot twists, character development, or the overall production quality?
LM: I love so many shows. Some of my favorites are OA, Sense 8, Handmaid’s Tale… I love a great story
AA: Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke? I’m always reading.
LM: Most of what I read is personal development, but I love a good graphic novel.
AA: Which podcasts do you highly recommend and why? What sets these podcasts apart from others, in your opinion? Do they offer valuable insights, entertaining content, or something else that keeps you hooked?
LM: I am a regular listener of Lewis Howes School of Greatness, Mel Robbins, and I love Marc Maron WTF.
AA: I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.
LM: My favorite bands and artists are Manchester Orchestra, Dead Poet Society, Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Banks, Sir Sly. I love so much music, and it is all so different.
AA: Could you delve into your experiences with mental health and share how those experiences have influenced and shaped various aspects of your life? I'm particularly interested in specific moments or challenges, how you've navigated them, and the lessons you've learned.
LM: My mental health is very protected these days. I have a small circle of people who add so much magic to my life. I spend a lot of time alone. Peace is very important to me, and I place that above anything else.
AA: If you had a different career path, what would it be, and what motivates you to choose it?
LM: I am an author and a life coach. So, my life is as diverse as it can be. I would like to get into speaking more, and I plan on starting a podcast this year after the book is done.
AA: What experiences or passions drive you toward this alternate career, and how do you envision it aligning with your values and aspirations?
LM: I write every day, and I do all the small habits daily toward the big picture. I take time to create my life in my mind and body and take the necessary atomic habits toward those things every single day.
AA: What's your strategy for networking and forging connections in the vibrant world of the music industry?
LM: I don’t have any strategies for this. I’m not a dick and don’t have an ego. I think that’s the best strategy in dealing with anyone every day.
AA: How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals during times of uncertainty or change?
LM: I have complete faith in the Universe that everything is always working out for me no matter what. My motivation is in my ability to let go and focus on what I think about and project. I believe everything in this Universe is energy based. You attract what you are. I believe completely in the Law of Attraction and Abraham Hicks. Change the way you you look at things, the things you look at change. It’s all about emotional intelligence and knowing who you are and the power you have to create the life you want to build.
AA: What hobbies or pastimes do you find particularly enjoyable when you’re not immersed in your music? Are there specific activities that allow you to unwind and express yourself differently?
LM: I am very active. I work out or move my body every day. My sobriety is very important to me. So, I do everything I can to be in healthy environments to take care of my health.
AA: In addition to your talents as a bassist, you are also a published author, which is quite impressive! I would love to hear more about your book, “Unfuckwithable: A Guide to Inspired Badassery.” Could you share the inspiration, the themes you explore, and what readers can expect to take away from your insights?
LM: That’s all in the book. I’d highly recommend reading it.
AA: I recently discovered your impressive, handcrafted candles, Inspired AF, and was intrigued by your work. Candle-making is such a fascinating craft! I'm curious to know what inspired you to start this journey. Could you share a bit about how you got into candle-making? What challenges have you faced along the way, and what have been some of the most rewarding moments in your experience?
LM: My best friend was making candles and taught me how to do it. When I came off tour in 2019, I told her I wanted to create a Cold candle. When it completely exceeded all sales expectations, we knew we were onto something. We ended up doing candles for Motley Crue and Jonathon Davis. Then Covid happened and it was a perfect way to pass the time. I’ve been doing candles for almost 6 years now. And decided to brand the company in 2022. That’s where Inspired AF came in, and here we are. I absolutely love creating them. I’m working on growing that company as well.
AA: If you had the opportunity to sit down with your 18-year-old self and share some wisdom, what advice would you offer? Are there particular experiences or lessons you knew earlier that could have shaped your journey differently?
LM: I don’t think I’d do it any differently. I’ve had so many amazing experiences, lessons, wins and failures and each of them has made me who I am today. I wouldn’t take back anything. As I’m in my mid-forties, I am more focused than ever on my mental health. I’m learning to love and accept myself and speak my truth even more than I was able to a year ago. With life comes wisdom. Everything is in how you choose to see it. I choose to see everything as something for me, whether things stay in my life or leave. The Universe always has my back.
AA: How do you stay inspired and motivated during creative block or burnout?
LM: There are times I'm not inspired or motivated. I have learned that in these times, I can relax. I don’t always have to be doing something. It’s okay to rest and binge-watch a show and take it easy. There is a time and place for everything. When you manage to stay in Source alignment and in love with everything you are and that’s around you, magic happens. I listen to my heart and my body and live in loving energy.
AA: What message would you share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?"
LM: The key to happiness and fulfillment stem from the inside. Self-love, self-acceptance, and self-worth are key here. And it takes determination and practice. Taking time to learn, move your body, meditate and create with love will help you manifest so much. This is all covered in my book.
AA: We appreciate Lindsay Manfredi from Cold for kindly sharing her story and interests with us.
Cold Bass Player- Lindsay Manfredi
Please access the Linktree below to find detailed information about Cold and Lindsay Manfredi.
Be sure to catch Cold live in concert this spring as they commemorate 25 years of "13 Ways to Bleed OnStage" and 20 years of "A Different Kind of Pain."
Purchase your advance tickets at the link below:
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