Kristin Hersh, frontwoman of Throwing Muses, reflected on her musical career and upcoming work in a recent interview. She attributed much of her band’s distinctive sound to a bicycle accident she sustained at age 16, which resulted in a concussion that altered her auditory perception. Hersh suggested that while this trauma may have made the band less commercially appealing, it contributed to their honest and emotionally resonant songwriting that would otherwise have been forgotten.
When discussing her musical influences, Hersh recalled discovering the Violent Femmes’ debut album while babysitting for a music critic. She cited the rawness and honesty of that record as a formative reference point. She also described an early encounter with the Pixies, recounting how she became instrumental in promoting the band by insisting they play her shows and tour with her because she wanted to experience their music constantly.
Hersh addressed questions about past band members and collaborations, noting that bassist Leslie Langston departed due to health issues but eventually returned to music. She expressed openness to working with her step-sister and co-founder Tanya Donelly, emphasizing that doors remain open to musicians who share the moment with her. Regarding her collaboration with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe on the song “Your Ghost,” Hersh explained that Stipe had selected her leftover acoustic songs and called the studio while she was struggling with the recording.
On her mental health journey, Hersh discussed her treatment with EMDR, a psychotherapy technique she used to address post-traumatic stress disorder and a dissociative disorder, comparing the process to “psychological chemo.” She credited the therapy with allowing her to continue performing.
Hersh’s upcoming album, Sugar on Blackstone, scheduled for release on 18 September, draws inspiration from her hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. The album features autobiographical songs, some dating back decades to her childhood in the 1970s, including tracks about fear and family dynamics set against the backdrop of local geography and emotional landscapes.
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