Free Throw
Free Throw is an American emo band from Nashville, Tennessee, known for combining raw emotion with melodic energy. Formed in 2012, the band built a reputation through their heartfelt storytelling, introspective lyrics, and relentless touring. They’ve become a standout in the modern emo revival, bridging underground sincerity with catchy hooks. As of 2025, Free Throw is signed to Wax Bodega, continuing to craft music that resonates with fans who wear their hearts on their sleeves.
How The Band Got Started
Free Throw came together in April 2012 after its members—friends from the Nashville music scene—had graduated high school. Vocalist Cory Castro, guitarist Lawrence Warner, and bassist Justin Castro bonded over shared influences from labels like Topshelf Records, home to many of their favorite emo bands. The idea was simple: play emotional, honest music that reflected who they were. According to Cory, the band started as “a couple of beers and a couple of ideas.” Soon after, they recorded their first self-titled EP and began performing around the Southeast, quickly earning a following for their unfiltered lyrics and earnest delivery.
Albums and Growth
Free Throw’s debut full-length album, Those Days Are Gone (2014), was a cornerstone release for the rising emo scene of the 2010s. Its mix of shouted vocals, melodic guitars, and lyrics about self-doubt and loss drew comparisons to bands like Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader. The band followed the album’s release with a tour alongside Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), gaining national attention for their emotionally charged performances.
Their second album, Bear Your Mind (2017), expanded on their sound, adding more structure and polish without losing intensity. Songs explored themes of mental health, addiction, and relationships, with an honesty that became Free Throw’s trademark. By the time they released What’s Past Is Prologue (2019), the band had matured both lyrically and musically, creating an album that balanced vulnerability with catchy choruses. The following releases—Piecing It Together (2021) and Lessons That We Swear to Keep (2023)—solidified their reputation for blending grit and melody, showing a group unafraid to evolve while staying emotionally transparent.
Musical Style and Lyrical Themes
Free Throw’s sound has been described as emo-punk with a strong melodic core and an undercurrent of catharsis. Their songs often move between soaring choruses and shouted breakdowns, echoing the post-hardcore influence of the late 2000s while embracing the emotional nuance of indie rock. Cory Castro has defined their take on emo as “taking your emotions and wearing them on your sleeve,” a sentiment that runs through every record they’ve released.
The band draws from an eclectic mix of influences, including Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Snowing, and Algernon Cadwallader. Their lyrics are confessional and often self-critical, dealing with topics like alcoholism, addiction, mental health struggles, and body image. These themes, coupled with an earnest vocal delivery, give their songs a relatable quality that connects deeply with fans navigating similar battles.
The Pokémon Connection
One of Free Throw’s most recognizable quirks is their love of the Pokémon franchise. Vocalist Cory Castro is an avid fan, and Pokémon references appear throughout their discography. Tracks such as “Lavender Town,” “Pallet Town,” “Cerulean City,” “Better Have Burn Heal,” “Cinnabar Island,” “Worry Seed,” and “Tail Whip, Struggle” pay homage to the series. Castro even has a Poké Ball tattooed on his wrist, symbolizing how gaming nostalgia and personal storytelling intertwine in the band’s creative identity.
Band Members
- Cory Castro – lead vocals, additional guitar (2012-present)
- Lawrence Warner – lead guitar (2012-present)
- Jake Hughes – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2013-present)
- Justin Castro – bass (2012-present)
- Zach Hall – drums, backing vocals (2013-2015, 2022-present)
Former Members
- Wes Winslett – rhythm guitar (2012-2013)
- Tim Casey – drums (2012-2013)
- Kevin Garcia – drums, backing vocals (2015-2022)
Discography
- Those Days Are Gone (2014)
- Bear Your Mind (2017)
- What’s Past Is Prologue (2019)
- Piecing It Together (2021)
- Lessons That We Swear to Keep (2023)
EPs
- Free Throw (2012)
- Lavender Town (2014)
- Missing Pieces (2018)
The Story After The Noise
Free Throw’s journey is a testament to the emotional depth that modern emo can reach. Their music captures the highs and lows of growing up, falling apart, and putting yourself back together again. Through their commitment to honesty and connection, they’ve helped redefine what emo means in the 2020s—louder, messier, and more human than ever.
