Lower Dens
Lower Dens | |
---|---|
Past members | Jana Hunter Nate Nelson Geoff Graham Walker Teret Will Adams Abram Sanders Carter Tanton Brandon Davis |
Website | Official website |
Lower Dens was an American
History
Formation and Twin-Hand Movement
The idea for the band formed when Jana Hunter, at that time performing as a
After playing several shows in early 2010, the band released their first album Twin Hand Movement on July 20, 2010, via
Nootropics and other projects
The band began writing their sophomore album while still on tour supporting Twin-Hand Movement. The limitations of writing on the road forced Hunter to work through a laptop and a keyboard rather than the guitar, which led to the increased presence of synths on the album: "I did try to write with a guitar on headphones through a tiny amp plugged into ... the cigarette lighter of the car, but that is an extraordinarily inefficient way to write music ... I talked the band into getting laptop; we got Garage Band and a MIDI digital interface keyboard, and that’s how most of the record was written."[7]
After finishing up touring for Twin-Hand Movement, the band chose to record their followup at The Key Club in Benton Harbor, MI. Hunter cited the studio's location as an imperative part of the recording process: "It's just very simple, and there are farm stands and a beautiful, great lake nearby. Fewer distractions meant more focus ... We slept nights in bunk beds above the studio. It was, in many ways, perfect."[8] Graham noted the amount of time spent in the studio as another important factor: "We had a month of working 7 days a week, living in the studio we were recording in ... we had time to add all these extra dimensions and it made things lusher and thicker."[5] In an interview with Stereogum, Hunter listed Kraftwerk's Radio-Activity, Fripp & Eno, and David Bowie's production on Iggy Pop's The Idiot as major influences during the writing and recording periods.[9]
In April 2013, the band opened for Beach House and Yo La Tengo at the Baltimore stop of the latter's Fade tour.[12] In May 2013, the band released a new song called "Non Grata" via a split 7-inch with fellow Baltimore Band Horse Lords.[13] The 7-inch was released as a part of the Famous Class LAMC series, which benefits the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
Escape from Evil
On January 29, 2015, Lower Dens announced their third album
The Competition
On May 30, 2019, Lower Dens announced their fourth album The Competition. It was released on September 6, 2019, via Ribbon Music.[15]
Breakup
On December 8, 2021, Lower Dens announced their breakup. “It’s time for me and Nate to say goodbye to Lower Dens,” Hunter wrote, referring to bandmate and drummer Nate Nelson. “We’re proud of what we’ve done, and very lucky to have had so many people supporting us. Spiritually and physically, we, like, can not participate in the music industry any longer.”[16]
Discography
Albums
- Twin-Hand Movement (2010)
- Nootropics (2012)
- Escape from Evil (2015)
- The Competition (2019)
Singles
- "Non Grata" (2013)
- "Real Thing" (2016)
- "Young Republicans" (2019)
References
- ^ Heaney, Gregory. "Lower Dens - biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- Pitchfork. Retrieved Jan 29, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Lower Dens". 7digital. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Donnelly, Ben. "Dusted Reviews: Lower Dens - Twin-Hand Movement". Dusted Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Rittweger, Peter. "Interview: Lower Dens". Free Williamsburg. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Rachel, T. Cole (18 April 2012). "Progress Report: Lower Dens". Stereogum. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Hermes, Will (10 May 2012). "Nootropics". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Patel, Puja (May 2012). "Lower Dens, 'Nootropics'". Spin. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Hilleary, Mike (February 21, 2013). "Yo La Tengo Announce North American Tour Supporting Fade". Under the Radar.
- ^ Boast, Carris. "Lower Dens release charity split 7". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (May 30, 2019). "Lower Dens Announce New Album The Competition, Share Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ "Goobye/Hello". Rx-ointment.ghost.io. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2022.