Thunderstorms and margaritas _{by Madelaine Empson}

Throwing Muses, one of the most acclaimed alternative rock bands of the 90s, are on their way to Aotearoa to play their new album Moonlight Concessions amongst a setlist spanning their celebrated records at San Fran on the 9^th of December. When I ask frontwoman Kristin Hersh about the distinctive sound the band pioneered when they formed in Newport, Rhode Island in the 80s, she says she started Throwing Muses when she was just 12 years old, so didn’t have much time to develop any influences.

“Probably why the early stuff sounds so ‘inventive,’” she laughs, “meaning ‘weird.’”

How do you think your music has evolved when you compare Moonlight Concessions with your earlier work?

I’ve gotten much better at editing. I got a lot of ‘art’ points just for sounding crazy when I was young. But I’ve always literally heard the music I write, as if it comes in the window. Songwriting for me is listening, not self-expression, which is just a precursor to actual songs. You get rid of your baggage and then jump into music’s river and see what you come out with.

I’ve never had any ambition whatsoever as regards the music business, but I’m still fascinated by music itself… utterly obsessed, actually. And the more I learn that most music is found outside the music business, the more fascinating it gets. Inspired sound is a human endeavour, not an industrial one, in other words.

How would you describe your stage chemistry and connection with Throwing Muses’ current lineup of David Narcizo and Bernard Georges?

I love everyone I’ve ever played music with, but my drummer, Dave – who’s been my best friend since we were eight years old – says that Throwing Muses is a kind of music, not a group of people, and I think he’s right. Anybody who’s ego-less enough to jump in that musical river and come out with a cup of water meant for sharing can play inspired stuff. You fall in love with your instrument and let it speak.

Something about the atmosphere of our sound is like weather or like a house you come and go from that you once called home. I’m sounding way groovier than I am, trying to describe this effect [laughs]… but we made a lot of our records in a big melting mansion in the French Quarter of New Orleans. To me? Afternoon thunderstorms in that house where we all lived together and drank margaritas is Throwing Muses’ genre.

What are your memories of our wee pocket of the world?

Nothing ‘wee’ about you in my mind! You’re massively important to me. I tried to move there and raise my kids among y’all years ago. Wellington is also like a thunderstorm of a musical genre! The air quality and humour, architecture and birds. Wellington is a gestalt that’s hard for touring musicians to shake. Might still move there if you let me stay…