New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Free Throw has released a new single out now called "Thanks For Asking", taken from their upcoming album 'Lessons That We Swear to Keep', their upcoming fifth full-length record out October 13 via Wax Bodega. The band announced the album last month and released the lead single and music video for "Spacer's Choice".
"'Thanks For Asking' is about para-social relationships and how people's perceived idea of someone they don't actually know can be a detriment to that person," explains vocalist Cory Castro.
"As the singer and lyricist of a band I find myself in situations quite often where I have to be welcoming and friendly to everyone I meet, even if my mood isn't particularly welcoming and friendly that day. You don't want people to think of you as an asshole, you know? It gets to a point where people expect you to be this perfect idea of who they think you are and sometimes the pressure of that can be crushing and overwhelming.
I like to think that I am usually a very fun and welcoming person regardless but everyone has bad days. It sucks when those bad days happen and you have to gather yourself and pretend they don't. I just really wanted this song to at least give people an idea of the other side of the coin. At the end of the day, even your favorite artists are just people."
In true Free Throw fashion, the record is marked with video game and TV references—Castro's beloved Pokémon ("Cinnabar Island"), Outer Worlds ("Spacer's Choice"), and Trailer Park Boys, for starters. But where previous releases centered on a cohesive theme, ready for dramaturgy and narration, 'Lessons That We Swear To Keep' is about something even more immediate and formative, but less discussed: the grayness of everyday life.
"This album reflects someone in the growing stages of adulthood and coming to terms with the experience of life," Castro continues. "While I understand that sounds vague and generic, it's the only way to describe these songs. It's a diary of my experiences over the past few years. I tried my best to take my own situations and make them as " self-insertable " as I could, but this record is outright a very personal one."
In partnership with Wax Bodega, 'Lessons That We Swear To Keep' will be the first independent release for the five-piece—Castro, guitarist Jake Hughes, bassist Justin Castro, lead guitarist Lawrence Warner, and drummer Zach Hall. "For the past eight years, we'd always had a label to answer to," says Castro. "We were free to do whatever we wanted. Usually when it comes to writing and recording, there's always this stress around it where you want it to be as good as possible but you're trying to meet deadlines. This time that just wasn't there."
The record also marks Free Throw's first release with Zach Hall since their 2014 debut, 'Those Days Are Gone'. Hall and Castro have been making music together since they were in high school, and now in their 30s, they've found that old magic again. "It really unlocked something," says Castro. "It feels like I'm back in a garage with my buddies writing music again. It's fing wicked."
'Lessons That We Swear to Keep' is out October 13 via Wax Bodega. Due to a rain delay at Riot Fest the band's set was unfortunately canceled but they teamed up with Microwave to throw a free pop up show at The Bottom Lounge. The band will tour the US this fall and winter and then head to Australia with Hot Mulligan in
Spring of next year. A full list of confirmed tour dates can be found below.
Free Throw - Tour Dates:
September 19 - Cincinnati, Oh -
Legends Bar & Venue
September 20 - Louisville, KY - Headliners
Music Hall
September 21 - Birmingham, AL - Furnace Fest Pre-Party
w/
Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Charmer, saturdays at your place / Blvck Hippie:
Oct 27 - Charleston, SC -
Music Farm
Oct 28 - Orlando, FL - Level 13 Event Center
Oct 29 - Gainesville, FL - THE FEST
Oct 30 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground
Nov 1 - Washington, DC -
Black Cat
Nov 2 - Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl
Nov 3 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
Nov 4 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
Nov 5 - Boston, MA - Royale
Nov 7 - Rochester, NY - Montage
Music Hall
Nov 9 - Lansing, MI - Grewal Hall at 224
Nov 10 - Columbus, OH - Skully's
Music Diner
Nov 11 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
Nov 12 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Nov 14 - Denver, CO - The Oriental Theater
Nov 15 - Salt Lake City, UT - Soundwell
Nov 17 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
Nov 18 - Seattle, WA - Neptune Theatre
Nov 20 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall
Nov 21 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater
Nov 22 - Mesa, AZ - The Nile Theater
Nov 24 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
Nov 25 - Dallas, TX - Trees
Nov 26 - Oklahoma City, OK - Beer City
Music Hall
Nov 28 - Kansas City, MO - Recordbar
Nov 29 - Springfield, MO - The Riff
Nov 30 - Memphis, TN -
Black Lodge
Dec 1 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Dec 2 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
w/ Hot Mulligan (2024 Australia dates):
March 1 - Northbridge, Australia - Lynott's Lounge
March 2 - Adelaide, Australia - Unibar
March 3 - Richmond, Australia - Corner Hotel
March 6 - Wollongong, Australia - La La La's
March 7 - Marrickville, Australia - Factory Theatre
March 8 - Islington, Australia - Hamilton Station Hotel
March 9 - Fortitude Valley, Australia - The Brightside Brisbane
