It’s been eight years since I first heard the Duluth, MN band LOW. I’ll never forget hearing “Two Step” from their album “Secret Name” – time just simply stopped for five minutes and forty-nine seconds. Then, the mad-dash to soak up their back catalog, and the waiting with bated breath for each future release, and the traveling decent -> hefty distances to watch them perform live at least six times since that first listen. I’d say I’m a devoted fan bordering on obsession.
Last week, Pitchfork.TV streamed a recent documentary about the band that follows the married, Mormon band founders Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker to their home in Duluth and on tour for several weeks. The film features live performance snippets, interviews and plenty of family moments that tackle with the complexities of their relationship together, with God and with their community. Despite continuing to release excellent recordings (“Drums and Guns” was one of my favorites last year), there has been some publicized unraveling of Alan’s behavior including a canceled tour in 2005 and subsequent self-hospitalization. I found the candid moments in the documentary that deal with the tumultuous time quite powerful.
The title of the film, “You May Need a Murderer” comes from the song “Murderer” which has two different versions – one appears on “Drums and Guns” and the other on one of my most prized pieces of vinyl – the “Murderer” 10″ released by Vinyl Films (Cameron Crowe‘s label). The song is a prime example of what I love about Low’s music, the mystery and dichotemy behind the lyrics, gorgeous harmonies, and a grand tension and release that is just simply unmatchable.
(Click for “Murderer” lyrics and perhaps a little cover of it by yours truly, recorded in 2005 by my lonesome…)
One more thing before I go
One more thing I’ll ask you Lord
You may need a murderer
Someone to do your dirty workDon’t act so innocent
I’ve seen you pound your fist into the earth
And I’ve read your book
It seems that you could use another fool
Well I’m cruel
And I look right throughYou must have more important things to do
So if you need a murderer
Someone to do your dirty work
“Murderer” – Low cover by Matthew Loiacono recorded in 2005 in Round Lake, NY.
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Thanks to Nathan Giordano for the recording gear lend.
Please visit Low online.
Excellent cover of ‘Murderer’. I first started listening to Low when I saw them at Pearl St. open up for (canadian band) Versus. No-one was paying attention to them, and I could swear that Alan told Mimi and Zac to play QUIETER. I left that night with a copy of The Transmission EP. After picking up The Curtain Hits The Cast and hearing “The Plan”, I was absolutely hooked.
When Secret Name came out… and then Things We Lost In The Fire… I was just enthralled by the harmonies– In my ‘Smokejumpers’ days, Steve and I would finish setting up our gear, then find a place outside the venue before the show and sing “Like A Forest” as a warm up.
And admittedly, I can’t think of a band that really has influenced the way I write… sing… or approach music as much as Low. Though I don’t play out as much these days, when I do– I will still generally put on Things We Lost In The Fire in the car and sing along to it before the show.
Hey, thanks Matthew Larsen!
Nice to hear that I’m not the only one who is borderline / obsessed.
Did you happen to see them at the Horse in the earlier portion of the 00′s where they headlined? I can’t remember who opened… but I think it was around the time “Trust” came out. That night, I rememeber thinking how every Low show I attended was better than the last.
Thanks for reading and listening!
Take care…
-Matthew
Hi Matthew,
Was surfing around and found your page on Low. Your phrase ‘time just simply stopped’ is a great way to describe discovering Low. For me, it was years ago, a local alternative radio station played several songs. I was driving around the countryside through hills of harvested corn, feeling lost and lonely. I flipped through the dial and there they were. The melodies swelled with the hills, the harmonies reflected the shadows and sky. It was one of those hard to describe, cherished moments that makes life worth living. I drove back to the city feeling alive again, and raced to the store for their CD. Thanks for posting about them.
Carole
Carole,
Thanks so much for the beautiful comment! I’m glad to know that people continue to have such great experiences with Low’s music. They’ve truly made a difference in my life, and it seems so with many, many others.
Take care,
-Matthew
I was just remembering your cover of Murderer and came back to this page for a listen!
!!!!! I think I replaced it with a louder version than the first I had up !!!!!!!
Thanks for thinking of me!!!