Throwing Muses

Throwing Muses is an American band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, by singers, songwriters, and guitarists Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly. Friends since childhood, they became “sisters by marriage” after Hersh’s mother married Donelly’s father. The group emerged from the scene that cemented the alternative rock movement in the United States during the 1980s, developing a unique blend of post-punk, folk, and country, characterized by shifts in tempo, unconventional structures, and intense lyrics.

With Hersh and Donelly on guitars and vocals, Leslie Langston on bass, and David Narcizo on drums, the band released its debut album, Throwing Muses, in 1986. Produced by Gil Norton, the album marked the first time the British label 4AD signed an American artist. By that time, the group had already established itself in Boston, becoming part of the vibrant local indie scene.

In 1988, House Tornado was released, followed by Hunkpapa (1989). During this phase, the band shared the stage with the Pixies, with whom they maintained a close relationship in the early years of their career. The two albums expanded the Throwing Muses’ reach and paved the way for The Real Ramona (1991), which featured standout tracks such as “Counting Backwards” and “Not Too Soon.”

Leslie Langston left the group in 1990 and was replaced by Fred Abong. After the release of The Real Ramona, Tanya Donelly also left to form Belly, taking Abong with her. Alongside her work with Throwing Muses, Donelly had already founded the Breeders with Kim Deal, contributing as a guitarist on their debut album, Pod (1990).

Hersh and Narcizo continued with Throwing Muses and recorded Red Heaven (1992), which featured Leslie Langston’s temporary return to bass during the studio sessions. Bernard Georges then took over on bass, solidifying the trio lineup that released University (1995) and Limbo (1996). In 1997, the band suspended its regular activities, and Hersh began to focus on her solo career, which had begun with Hips and Makers (1994).

The trio returned to the studio in 2003 with another self-titled album, which featured Donelly on backing vocals. A decade later, the band released Purgatory/Paradise (2013), an ambitious 32-track album accompanied by a book with graphic design by Narcizo and texts by Hersh.

In 2020, the group released Sun Racket. Its follow-up, Moonlight Concessions, was released on March 14, 2025, via Fire Records. Produced by Hersh, the album features nine tracks and explores more acoustic arrangements, while preserving the band’s characteristic restless musical language and enigmatic lyricism.