Low: Mormon Musicians
Low is an American indie rock group formed in 1993 by husband and wife musicians Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the parents of two children.
The band, based in Duluth, Minnesota, includes bass guitarist Steve Garrington. Past members are John Nichols, Zak Sally, and Matt Livingston. Sparhawk is the lead singer and guitarist; Parker is vocalist and drummer. Low released its first album in 1994. In 2015, the band released its eleventh, full-length studio album, entitled Ones and Sixes. The group is known for its slow tempos and minimalist arrangements, and for the distinctive vocal harmonies of Sparhawk and Parker.
Sparhawk was born in 1969 in Seattle, Washington, and lived in Utah until age nine, when his family moved to Minnesota. It was there he met Mimi Parker in fourth grade. They started dating the summer before their senior year in high school. He attended Brigham Young University for one year before returning to Duluth.
Parker was raised in rural Minnesota. She started playing the drums in sixth grade. She moved onto the snare drum when her husband brought home a drum given to him and he suggested it would be easy for her to play it in the band he was forming with John Nichols. She is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Sparhawk plays with other groups, including Black Eyed Snakes (a blues-roots band), Retribution Gospel Choir (rock band), and The Murder of Crows with Gaelynn Lea, a violist and vocalist. He is also a solo artist.
Low owns a record label, Chairkickers’ Union. Sparhawk operates a recording studio; he records and releases material by other Minnesota musicians.
