By Phil Lacombe
The local music scene continues to produce exciting new voices, and Whitewater is preparing to make its official introduction with the release of its debut single, “Threw It All Away,” arriving June 19.
Recorded at Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree and produced by Devlin Thorn and Christopher Thorn, the song serves as the band’s first official statement—a powerful blend of emotional honesty, raw energy, and introspective songwriting.
At its core, “Threw It All Away” explores sacrifice, loss, and the lingering aftermath of giving everything to someone or something that ultimately leaves you empty. Through vivid imagery and emotionally charged lyrics, the song captures the feeling of devotion colliding with disappointment. Lines such as “I threw it all away for you” become both a confession and a cathartic release, carrying the emotional weight of someone reckoning with the consequences of their choices.
The track balances vulnerability with intensity. The verses paint pictures of isolation and self-destruction while the soaring chorus delivers an unforgettable emotional punch. It’s a song that many listeners will find relatable, whether through failed relationships, broken friendships, or the personal battles that come from chasing something that slips away.
According to the band, the recording process was a collaborative effort that helped shape the song into the finished product listeners will hear on June 19. Working alongside producers Devlin Thorn and Christopher Thorn at Fireside Sound provided the perfect environment to capture both the power and intimacy of the track.
To celebrate the release, Whitewater will take the stage at the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s on June 25 alongside Fever Dog and Whiskey and Knives. The performance will mark an important milestone for the band as they bring their debut single to a live audience.
The lyrics touch on sacrifice, loss, and emotional struggle. What inspired the story behind the song?
Zembo: The process started as word painting and ended up telling a subconscious story. I don’t usually go into a song thinking I need to write about a certain topic, it usually unfolds as the emotions of the song and the lyrics unravel while writing. Ryan came in with the initial lyric “Threw It All Away” and I think that line inspired the internal dialogue the song revolves around. Every day we strive for more, never satisfied, and on a larger global scale it is done in an unsustainable, unnatural way. In the pursuit of something we want, whether its wealth, power, a sense of spiritual or religious belonging, relationships, or most matters really, it’s easy to get carried away and “throw away” all the beauty that life holds. Although these lyrics come from a place of personal spiritual purpose, there’s a broader message being conveyed that the listener can make all their own.
The chorus is incredibly memorable and emotionally charged. Did you know from the beginning that it would become the centerpiece of the song?
Zembo: We knew instantly that the chorus would be the centerpiece of the song and it’s what sparked this song to come to life. This song came through a collaborative process where Ryan came in with the chorus chords and hook one day and I had a year old verse and prechorus (chords and melodies) that never had a chorus. So we put the two together and Ryan had a guitar solo idea and D and I worked out the chords and rhythms behind it. The song form came quickly and I came up with the lyrics shortly after and the song was made. The chorus was catchy and we wanted to build off of it to make it a big memorable section, so we brought up the music dynamics and decided to add the response vocal in the high register. When it all came together, we knew this was gonna be the emotional peak of the song.
You recorded the track at Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree. What made that studio the right fit for this project?
D-Nasty: We love the Fireside Family. The thing that makes that studio the right fit for us is the magic that comes from being in there. Not just the music but the hospitality, people, and the aura of the studio. All of that allows us to be fully invested in the music and with them. Chris, Heather, and Devlin have truly made something magical in the Joshua Tree Desert.
How did producers Devlin Thorn and Christopher Thorn help shape the final version of the song?
Zembo: We had spent a lot of time working on the song demo prior to going to the studio and had all the main parts figured out, but working with Devlin allowed us to mess around with a lot of different ideas while recording. He was always open to new ideas and would help guide us through the process while still keeping the environment creative and productive. Devlin and Chris also mixed the song and we worked extensively together to get the song exactly how we heard it in our heads. They gave us a lot of advice throughout the process and we are very happy to have recorded with them.
Were there any unexpected challenges or breakthrough moments during the recording process?
Zembo: The recording process was smooth. Honestly there weren’t too many major challenges. The biggest breakthrough moment would probably be just the final mixing and listening experience. Hearing the final song was such a great moment for all of us, getting to finally enjoy the hard work and emotion we put into making the song.
Every band has a unique blend of influences. What artists or bands have had the biggest impact on Whitewater’s sound?
Zembo: Everybody in the band is influenced by many different artists and we all try to add our personal tastes into everything we play. To name a few, Soundgarden, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice In Chains, Kyuss, Pearl Jam, and Jane’s Addiction, but there’s so many others that come to mind.
You’re celebrating the release at Pappy & Harriet’s on June 25. What can fans expect from that show?
Zembo: It’s gonna be the full Whitewater experience with big loud songs and ballads and everything in between. We are working on a stripped down acoustic part of the set, something we’ve never tried before but we really want to make this show something memorable for fans and for anybody who’s never been to a Whitewater show.
You’ll be sharing the stage with Fever Dog and Whiskey and Knives. How excited are you about that lineup?
Zembo: We were very excited to hear that both Fever Dog and Whiskey and Knives would be joining us for the lineup. We’ve recently done a show with Fever Dog and we love the guys in the band, and they put on an incredible show. Great performers and great people. We’ve never played with Whiskey and Knives before but we are fans of a lot of Alfredo’s work so we are excited to have them along with us for this show.
For people discovering Whitewater for the first time, what do you hope they take away after hearing “Threw It All Away”?
Zembo: We hope they are able to resonate with the song in one way or another and feel the same way we feel when playing the song.
Is this single the beginning of a larger project such as an EP or album, and what can fans expect next from the band?
D-Nasty: This is absolutely the start of something bigger. They can expect another song towards the end of the year and as for after that. You are going to have to wait and see.
Finally, if you could describe Whitewater in just three words, what would they be?
Zembo: A cool band
For emerging artists, a first release is always significant. It’s the moment when ideas that once existed only in rehearsal spaces and recording studios finally become part of the world. For Whitewater, “Threw It All Away” represents the beginning of that journey.
Fans can stream the single beginning June 19 and catch Whitewater live at Pappy & Harriet’s on June 25 as they celebrate the next chapter in the band’s story.
For tickets and event information, visit https://pappyandharriets.com/calendar/
