As frontwoman of Throwing Muses then an acclaimed solo artist, Kristin Hersh is one of the defining voices of US alt-rock, and as she readies new album Sugar on Blackstone she’ll be joining us to answer your questions.

Formed in the early 1980s in Rhode Island with Hersh’s stepsister Tanya Donelly and others, Throwing Muses were added to the growing stable at the UK’s 4AD label, and by 1989’s Hunkpapa album were charting in the UK – part of a vibrant wave of college rock and dreampop alongside peers and labelmates such as Pixies and Cocteau Twins.

Hersh’s spirited voice – sweet one minute, serrated the next – sat front and centre between equally melodic guitars and bass, all adding up to a commercial yet edgy sound. 1995’s University broke the UK Top 10, as did Hersh’s debut solo album Hips and Makers the previous year (which featured a guest vocal from Michael Stipe). Donelly left Throwing Muses and eventually the band went on hiatus in 1998, with Hersh developing the more spartan, spacious sound of her solo releases. Around these records she formed another rock band, 50 Foot Wave; pre-empted the likes of Patreon with her direct-to-fan funding scheme Cash Music; wrote 1; and reformed Throwing Muses in 2003, who have released four further albums since then.

Next up is Sugar on Blackstone, released 18 September and billed 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 air songs from it in an extensive UK and Ireland tour beginning 26 September, followed by Europe and Australia dates.

Ahead of its release, she’ll join us to answer questions about it and anything else in her long career. Post them below by 2pm BST on 21 July, and we’ll publish her answers in the 7 August edition of the Film & Music section, as well as online.