Lower Dens
| Company type | Indie pop band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Jana Hunter, Geoff Graham, Abram Sanders, Will Adams |
| Defunct | 2021-12-08 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, singles |
Lower Dens was a United States-based alternative indie pop ensemble originating from Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 2010 by Jana Hunter, Geoff Graham, Abram Sanders, and Will Adams, the group produced four studio albums. Their initial release was distributed through Gnomonsong, with the sophomore effort arriving under Ribbon Music. Their third record, Escape from Evil, debuted on March 31, 2015, also via Ribbon Music.
Origins and Twin-Hand Movement
Jana Hunter initiated Lower Dens after choosing to pause a solo career in favor of focusing on a collective musical venture. Hunter sought greater creative fulfillment by collaborating within a band setting. Bassist Geoff Graham explained that their songwriting began with Hunter’s "song sketches," which the band collectively expanded upon through a democratic approach.
Following several performances in early 2010, Lower Dens issued their debut album Twin Hand Movement on July 20, 2010, through Gnomonsong. The album earned an 8.1 score from Pitchfork, which compared Hunter’s vocal style to that of PJ Harvey and Victoria Legrand from Beach House. Dusted Magazine praised the album’s lyrics for their genuine yet introspective qualities.
Nootropics and Subsequent Endeavors
During the tour supporting Twin-Hand Movement, the band began crafting material for their second album. Due to limitations while traveling, they incorporated laptops and keyboards more heavily into their process, resulting in increased synthesizer usage: "I convinced the band to get a laptop; we installed Garage Band and a MIDI keyboard, which became central to writing most of the record."
After touring concluded, recording took place at The Key Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan, chosen for its simplicity and minimal distractions to enhance focus. Graham emphasized that their intensive month-long studio residency was crucial in enriching the album’s sound. Hunter mentioned inspirations including Kraftwerk’s Radio-Activity, Fripp & Eno collaborations, and David Bowie’s production work on Iggy Pop’s The Idiot.
Released on April 30, 2012, through Domino Recording Company's Ribbon Music label, Nootropics received favorable critiques from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and Spin. Pitchfork highlighted the single "Brains" for its infusion of krautrock and electronic influences, signaling a newfound assertiveness for the band.
In April 2013, Lower Dens supported Beach House and Yo La Tengo during Yo La Tengo's Baltimore concert stop on their Fade tour. The following month, they contributed "Non Grata" to a split 7-inch release alongside Baltimore’s Horse Lords as part of the Famous Class LAMC series benefiting the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
Escape from Evil
Lower Dens announced their third studio album, Escape from Evil, on January 29, 2015; it was released on March 31, 2015, under Ribbon Music.
The Competition
On May 30, 2019, the band revealed plans for their fourth album titled The Competition, which became available on September 6, 2019, via Ribbon Music.
Disbandment
Lower Dens declared their dissolution on December 8, 2021. Frontwoman Jana Hunter expressed: “It’s time for me and Nate to say goodbye to Lower Dens. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and thankful for all the support. Both spiritually and physically, we can no longer engage with the music industry.”
Albums
- Twin-Hand Movement (2010)
- Nootropics (2012)
- Escape from Evil (2015)
- The Competition (2019)
Singles
- "Non Grata" (2013)
- "Real Thing" (2016)
- "Young Republicans" (2019)