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Cindy Lee

Cindy Lee is the performance and songwriting project of Canadian musician Patrick Flegel, formerly of the indie rock band Women.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Cindy Lee is the performance and songwriting project of Canadian musician Patrick Flegel, formerly of the indie rock band Women. The project began in 2012 and is known for lo-fi, avant-pop recordings and an intentionally elusive public profile. It received wider critical attention for the 2020 album What's Tonight to Eternity? and the 2024 triple album Diamond Jubilee. Cindy Lee is a Canadian music project from Calgary, Alberta, and is part of Canada's indie and experimental music scene.

Background

Cindy Lee emerged after the breakup of Women in 2012. The project is the creative alter ego of Patrick Flegel and has been associated with drag performance and a deliberately low-profile presentation.

Music style

The project is known for lo-fi, experimental, and avant-pop recordings. Sources describe the work as drawing on girl-group pop, indie rock, and themes such as heartbreak and identity.

Recorded output

Cindy Lee has released multiple albums and recordings since 2012. Two widely noted releases are What's Tonight to Eternity? in 2020 and Diamond Jubilee in 2024.

Recognition

The project gained broader critical attention through Polaris Music Prize nominations and strong reviews for Diamond Jubilee. It has been described as one of indie music's more enigmatic acts.

Key facts

  • Cindy Lee is the stage and recording project of Canadian musician Patrick Flegel.
  • Flegel was formerly the guitarist and lead singer of the Calgary band Women.
  • The project began in 2012 and was initially associated with drag performance.
  • What's Tonight to Eternity? was longlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize, and Diamond Jubilee was shortlisted for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.
  • The music is described as rooted in heartbreak, alienation, and gender identity.
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Canadian context

Cindy Lee is a Canadian music project from Calgary, Alberta, and is part of Canada's indie and experimental music scene.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Cindy Lee?
Cindy Lee is the music project of Canadian musician Patrick Flegel, formerly of the band Women.
When did Cindy Lee begin?
The project began in 2012.
What genre is Cindy Lee?
The project is generally described as avant-pop, lo-fi, and rock-oriented.
What are Cindy Lee's best-known releases?
What's Tonight to Eternity? (2020) and Diamond Jubilee (2024) are the best-known releases.
Was Cindy Lee recognized by the Polaris Music Prize?
Yes. What's Tonight to Eternity? was longlisted in 2020, and Diamond Jubilee was shortlisted in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Lee_(band)
    Supports: Identifies Cindy Lee as Patrick Flegel's project; origin, formation, and notable albums.
  2. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cindy-lee/213985737
    Supports: Biographical overview, origin in Calgary, formation year, genre, and thematic description.
  3. BBC Culture — https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250306-who-is-cindy-lee-pops-most-mysterious-sensation
    Supports: Explains the project's identity, 2012 launch, drag persona, and Diamond Jubilee's reception.
  4. JAX Music — https://jaxmusic.org/jme/2023/10/cindy-lee-interview/
    Supports: Background on Flegel's transition from Women to Cindy Lee and a list of releases.