Low

Low is a Minnesota indie rock band from Duluth, United States, active from 1993 to 2023. The group is associated with alternative rock, ambient pop, experimental music, glitch, indie rock and post-industrial sounds, and is known for slow, sparse arrangements that place particular emphasis on voice and space.

Formation and early line-up

The band forms in 1993 around Alan Sparhawk on guitar and vocals, Mimi Parker on drums and vocals, and original bassist John Nichols. Sparhawk has been playing in Duluth’s Zen Identity when Nichols is recruited as the group needs a new bassist. Nichols is also a senior at Superior Senior High School in nearby Superior, Wisconsin, and plays bass in Lorenzo’s Tractor. Parker joins on a very small drum setup, using brushes almost exclusively.

After the first album and tour, Zak Sally replaces Nichols on bass. In 2005, Sally leaves and Matt Livingston later takes over. In 2008, Steve Garrington becomes the bassist, and the core line-up is Sparhawk, Parker and Garrington until Garrington leaves in 2021. Elizabeth Draper later supports the band on tour.

Style and development

Low is widely associated with slowcore, a style defined by slow tempos and minimal arrangements, though the band dislikes the label. Over time, the music becomes more experimental and begins to include electronic textures, electronica and glitch. The group also develops a more overt rock sound, adding fuzz bass from Things We Lost in the Fire onward and distorted lead guitar on Trust. Parker and Sparhawk’s vocal harmonies remain one of the band’s most recognisable features.

The group is also linked to the Midwest post-rock scene, and its later work reflects that influence alongside its minimalist approach.

Albums, labels and collaborations

Low’s debut album, I Could Live in Hope, is released in 1994 on Virgin Records’ Vernon Yard imprint and features Nichols on bass. Sally plays on Long Division, followed by The Curtain Hits the Cast in 1996, the record that helps establish the band’s reputation and includes the college radio single “Over the Ocean”.

After difficulties with Vernon Yard, the band moves to Kranky, where it releases Secret Name in 1999, Things We Lost in the Fire in 2001 and Trust in 2002. These Kranky releases involve Steve Albini as recordist on Secret Name and Things We Lost in the Fire, while Trust is recorded with Eric Swanson and mixed by Tchad Blake.

In 1999, Low records an In the Fishtank session with Dirty Three for Konkurrent, including a long cover of Neil Young’s “Down by the River”. The band later signs to Sub Pop and releases The Great Destroyer in 2005, recorded with Dave Fridmann. A three-disc rarities compilation is issued in 2004 to complete the band’s contract with Kranky.

Later albums on Sub Pop include Drums and Guns in 2007, C’mon in 2011, The Invisible Way in 2013, Ones and Sixes in 2015, Double Negative in 2018 and Hey What in 2021.

Later years and ending

Parker is diagnosed with ovarian cancer in late 2020 and begins treatment in 2021. The band cancels several shows and touring dates in 2022 while she receives treatment. Parker dies on 5 November 2022. After her death, Sparhawk begins working on a new project, Damien, with their son Cyrus on bass, Marc Gartman on vocals and Owen Mahon on drums. In 2023, Sparhawk confirms that Low has ended with Parker’s death.