Forever exploring the boundaries of music, Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker continually reinvented themselves throughout their career with Low. Right up until 2022, when Parker died from cancer, and Low was no more.
The music community in Duluth is small and mighty — heavy emphasis on the "mighty," given the impact it has had on the broader music world with Sparhawk sitting at the head of that table. Throughout Low’s incredible worldwide success, he has remained a key figure as a support and active member in the scene.
In the last few years, Sparhawk has kept musical exploration alive in spite of his grief after losing his wife.
He’s played around Minnesota with funk band DERECHO Rhythm Section, which includes his son Cyrus and daughter Hollis. He's also in a Neil Young cover band called Tired Eyes, formed another funk band called Damien with Cyrus, and used heavy vocal processing on his first solo album, White Roses, My God.
Now, he has shapeshifted again on this collaborative and heartfelt album with longtime Duluth cohorts and friends, Trampled by Turtles.
Serving as a mentor and connector for the band, Sparhawk and Trampled by Turtles came into each other's sphere over 20 years ago in Duluth. According to Trampled's lead singer Dave Simonett’s article on Substack, they met when Sparhawk heard they were heading out west for a few shows and didn’t have much booked. He offered them opening spots with Low, already cemented as an indie rock phenomenon.
Shortly after Parker's death in 2022, Sparhawk joined Trampled for their show at the Armory in Minneapolis, then on tour as an unannounced guest and, more importantly, as a friend. A year later, Trampled by Turtles were at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls recording their Always Here EP, when Sparhawk joined them with these songs in development.
What came in that one day of recording is a beautiful, communal, raw, emotional and supportive album, simply titled Alan Sparhawk With Trampled By Turtles.
"Stranger" was the first single released, giving us a glimpse into the album and telling us that this was going to be very different than his solo White Roses, My God, where vocal distortion making his voice unrecognizable was central to the album. He told The Guardian last summer, “I’m trying to use my voice, but I don’t want to hear my voice, so I needed to find another voice.” For those who have experienced grief, that need is nearly palpable.
Daughter Hollis joins in on "Not Broken" with a voice that is hard not to compare immediately to her late mom.
In "Screaming Song," Sparhawk's vocals are soft and gentle while he sings, “When you flew out the window, and into the sunset, I thought I would never stop screaming.” Ryan Young produces the primal screaming on his violin, breathtaking and searing with emotion at the same time. It gives me chills every time I listen to it.
In "Princess Road Surgery," Sparhawk reminds us that life doesn't always work out the way we hope or plan. Through vocals that are revealing and vulnerable, he sings, “So much for saving the world, I thought you’d make it for sure.”
The album closes with two more heart-wrenching songs, "Don’t Take Your Light" and "Torn & In Ashes," with Young’s violin work again tearing you apart with grief. The chorus in "Don’t Take Your Light" is like a chant, thick with harmonies and support.
The album is not perfect. It’s not precious. It is gritty with emotion. It is heartbreaking. And it is filled with love from every single person on the record.
Must Listens
- "Stranger"
- "Too High"
- "Heaven"
- "Not Broken"
- "Screaming Song"
- "Get Still"
- "Princess Road Surgery"
- "Don't Take Your Light"
- "Torn & In Ashes"
