Alt-rock icon Kristin Hersh, frontwoman of Throwing Muses and acclaimed solo artist, is preparing to release her latest solo album Sugar on Blackstone on September 18, 2025. She will join Film & Music to answer reader questions about the album and her five-decade career.
Early Career with Throwing Muses
Formed in the early 1980s in Rhode Island with stepsister Tanya Donelly, Throwing Muses joined the UK's 4AD label. By 1989's Hunkpapa, they charted in the UK alongside peers like Pixies and Cocteau Twins. Hersh's distinctive voice—sweet one moment, serrated the next—anchored their melodic yet edgy sound.
Solo Success and Band Evolution
Hersh's debut solo album Hips and Makers (1994) featured a guest vocal from Michael Stipe and broke the UK Top 10, as did Throwing Muses' University (1995). After Donelly left, Throwing Muses went on hiatus in 1998. Hersh developed a sparser sound on solo releases, formed 50 Foot Wave, and pioneered direct-to-fan funding via Cash Music. She reformed Throwing Muses in 2003, releasing four more albums.
New Album and Tour
Sugar on Blackstone is described as being about “life and death, enrichment and poverty, and the small but defining moments of childhood that continue to echo through adult life.” Hersh will tour the UK and Ireland from September 26, followed by Europe and Australia dates.
Submit Your Questions
Readers can post questions below by 2pm BST on July 21, 2025. Hersh's answers will be published in the August 7 edition of Film & Music and online.
