Throwing Muses introduced 4AD’s first American signing to the world

Throwing Muses in 1986, photo by Andrew Catlin

Rhode Island indie rock legends Throwing Muses will reissue their long-out-of-print (and off streaming) self-titled debut this December, in honor of its 40th anniversary. The new edition of Throwing Muse s , due December 11 on 4AD, celebrates the first full-length album by the first American band ever signed by the label, a major inflection point in its history.

The quartet of of vocalist Kristin Hersh, guitarist-vocalist Tanya Donelly, bassist Leslie Langston, and drummer David Narcizo were still teenagers when they released Throwing Muses in 1986. The album largely drew inspiration from a car accident that left a 16-year-old Hersh, the band’s primary lyricist, with a rod in her skull.…