Susanna Hoffs, the singer and guitarist for the popular ’80s band The Bangles, experienced a significant life change in the ’90s when she became a mother.
In an interview with Billboard, she shared that motherhood brought her to “a crossroads,” leading to an “identity crisis.”
Last week, Hoffs released a solo album, The Lost Record, featuring recordings she originally made in 1999 in the garage of her Los Angeles home alongside various musicians.
“The Bangles started in the garage of my childhood home, so recording in garages has been a part of my life for a long time,” she explained.
Wanting to stay close to home with her newborn, Hoffs told musician Dan Schwartz she preferred to record in her garage. She and her husband, filmmaker Jay Roach, have two sons, born in 1995 and 1998.
Reflecting on that period, she described feeling like she was at a pivotal moment, juggling marriage, motherhood, and her music career. “I was trying to figure out how to do it all,” she said.
At the same time, Roach’s career was taking off, directing the hit comedy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997 and its sequel Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999. Hoffs likened their dynamic to “ships crossing in the night.”
“It was a deeply reflective and emotional time,” she recalled. “When emotions are that raw, it’s the perfect time to write songs.”
However, she never released the recordings due to complications with the project. “There was some tension among the personalities involved, and with The Bangles reuniting, I felt I had to put it aside for the greater good,” she said. “It just felt like the stars weren’t aligning.”
Despite shelving the album for years, Hoffs always had a deep appreciation for the sessions. “I loved the honesty and stripped-down nature of these recordings. They were pure creativity, and I’m so glad they’re finally being released.”
Looking ahead, Hoffs remains immersed in artistic pursuits. “I’m bouncing between music, my next book, and whatever else comes my way. Art and music have always driven me, and when I’m passionate about something, I just go for it.”
Beyond music, Hoffs has also ventured into writing. Last year, she released her fifth solo album, The Deep End, as well as her debut novel, The Bird Has Flown. She has also co-written songs for The Go-Go’s, Bette Midler, and Belinda Carlisle.
The Bangles, originally known as The Colours and later The Bangs, rose to fame in the early ’80s, achieving mainstream success with their 1986 album Different Light, which featured hit singles like Walk Like an Egyptian and Manic Monday, the latter written by Prince.
The album was certified triple platinum in the U.S. by 1994.
Hoffs co-founded The Bangles in 1980 with sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson. After bassist Annette Zilinskas departed in 1983, Michael “Micki” Steele took over. The group disbanded in 1989 but reunited in 1998 to contribute a song to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, eventually recording Doll Revolution and touring.
Steele left in 2005, with Abby Travis stepping in for live performances, while Zilinskas rejoined the band in 2018. Their last release was also in 2018.
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