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Lower Dens
Lower Dens
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Lower Dens was an American alternative indie pop band from Baltimore, Maryland, United States.[1] The band was formed in 2010 by Jana Hunter, Geoff Graham, Abram Sanders and Will Adams. Lower Dens has released four albums: their debut on Gnomonsong and a follow-up album on Ribbon Music.[2][3] Their third album, Escape from Evil, was released on March 31, 2015, on Ribbon Music.[4]

Key Information

History

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Formation and Twin-Hand Movement

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The idea for the band formed when Jana Hunter, at that time performing as a solo artist under his own name, grew tired of touring and decided to take a hiatus from the road. For his final tour before this planned hiatus, he put together a backing band. The enjoyment Hunter got from playing with a band versus performing as a solo artist gave him the idea to form Lower Dens: "During that tour, I realised that it wasn’t the touring life that I hated, but more so that the kind of music I wrote as a solo artist wasn’t something I felt entirely comfortable sharing in a performance setting. Lower Dens then was eventual result of the decision to make music with the specific intention of sharing and enjoying it with others."[5] According to bassist Geoff Graham, the band's creative process starts with Hunter creating "song sketches" which the band finishes together: "Every song is different but we do try to make decisions democratically, and try every idea and then decide by majority what choices we make."[5]

After playing several shows in early 2010, the band released their first album Twin Hand Movement on July 20, 2010, via Gnomonsong. Pitchfork gave the album a rating of 8.1, comparing Hunter's vocals to those of PJ Harvey and Beach House's Victoria Legrand.[2] Dusted Magazine praised the album's lyrics, stating that they are "delivered without irony, yet self-aware enough to appreciate the obviousness."[6]

Nootropics and other projects

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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]

Nootropics was released on April 30, 2012, via Domino Recording Company's Ribbon Music. The album received positive reviews from major publications including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and Spin.[3][10][11] Joe Colly of Pitchfork praised the album's first single "Brains" for adding "krautrock and electronic touches to the group's signature guitar swirl" and suggesting "a new dimension and a new confidence" for the band.[3]

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

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On January 29, 2015, Lower Dens announced their third album Escape from Evil, which was released on March 31, 2015, via Ribbon Music.[14]

The Competition

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On May 30, 2019, Lower Dens announced their fourth album The Competition. It was released on September 6, 2019, via Ribbon Music.[15]

Breakup

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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

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Albums

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Singles

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  • "Non Grata" (2013)
  • "Real Thing" (2016)
  • "Young Republicans" (2019)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Lower Dens was an American band from , , known for its and sound, formed in 2010 by singer-songwriter along with initial members Geoff Graham, Abram Sanders, and Will Adams. The band, centered around Hunter's introspective songwriting and ethereal vocals, blended hazy atmospheres with experimental elements, drawing influences from 1970s and 1980s synth acts like and . Over its decade-long run, Lower Dens released four studio albums: the debut Twin-Hand Movement (2010) on Gnomonsong Records, followed by Nootropics (2012), Escape from Evil (2015), and The Competition (2019) on . These works evolved from tense, atmospheric explorations of personal vulnerability to more politically charged addressing capitalism, identity, and societal transformation, often reflecting Hunter's experiences as a artist. The band's music featured robotic vocals, flashing synths, and guitar tangles, creating vivid queer retrofuturist worlds that critiqued heteronormativity and economic pressures. Lower Dens disbanded in December 2021, with Hunter announcing the end alongside drummer Nate Nelson, citing exhaustion from the music industry, a desire for family time, and new personal goals amid health challenges. Throughout its existence, the band performed at notable venues and festivals, including , and garnered praise for its innovative blend of emotional depth and theoretical urgency.

History

Formation and Twin-Hand Movement (2009–2011)

, a Texas-born based in , , had established herself as a solo artist in the mid-2000s through folk-influenced releases on Gnomonsong Records, including her debut album Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom in 2005 and There's No Home in 2007. These works, characterized by stark, intimate acoustic arrangements and dusky harmonies, marked Hunter's entry into the freak-folk scene alongside collaborators like Devendra Banhart and Phosphorescent. By 2009, seeking a fuller band dynamic to expand beyond solo bedroom recordings, Hunter formed Lower Dens in Baltimore, initially rehearsing in attics and basements with a focus on electric instrumentation. In 2010, Hunter recruited key members to solidify the lineup, including guitarist Will Adams, Geoff Graham, and Abram Sanders, shifting toward a collaborative rock-oriented sound. The band recorded their debut album Twin-Hand Movement that year with producer Chris Freeland in , followed by mixing from Chris Coady in . Released on July 20, 2010, via Gnomonsong Records, the album featured 11 tracks blending lo-fi elements with dreamy atmospherics, such as the feedback-laden "Disposable Parts" and the brooding "." Critics praised its raw, primitive energy and Hunter's ghostly vocals amid swirling guitars, hailing it as a promising indie debut that transformed her folk roots into a more visceral, wall-of-sound experience. awarded it an 8.1, noting its atmospheric versatility, while highlighted its cinematic blend of and suspenseful rhythms. Lower Dens emerged onto the live circuit with initial performances in early , building a presence in Baltimore's indie scene through shows at local venues before embarking on their first U.S. tour in summer alongside acts like . These early gigs, often intimate and feedback-heavy, helped cultivate a grassroots following amid the city's underground music community. By 2011, the band's momentum led to a signing with Ribbon Music for future releases, setting the stage for broader recognition while maintaining their raw, unpolished edge.

Nootropics and rising recognition (2012–2014)

In early 2012, Lower Dens solidified its core lineup by welcoming Nate Nelson as a permanent member, providing a stable alongside Geoff Graham and Will Adams. This addition enhanced the band's live energy and contributed to the cohesive sound of their sophomore effort. The band recorded Nootropics at Key Club Recording Company in , with producer Drew , known for his engineering work with artists like and . handled production and mixing for most tracks, while the band self-produced one , fostering a polished yet experimental vibe during sessions that wrapped in . Released on May 1, 2012, via Ribbon Music, the album featured standout tracks like "Brains" and "Stem," which exemplified its hypnotic grooves and introspective lyrics. Nootropics marked a stylistic evolution from the noise rock edges of Lower Dens' debut, embracing and psychedelic textures through layered guitars, swirling synths, and Jana Hunter's ethereal, detached vocals. The record explored themes of and altered consciousness—inspired by the title's reference to cognitive enhancers—creating an immersive, otherworldly atmosphere that drew comparisons to krautrock's repetitive propulsion. Critics praised this shift; awarded it an 8.2 out of 10, lauding its moody inclusivity and ideal late-night listening quality, while it appeared on year-end lists from outlets like Pretty Much Amazing and . Supporting Nootropics, Lower Dens expanded their touring footprint with extensive U.S. and European dates from 2012 to 2013, including appearances at high-profile festivals such as in (June 2012), in (July 2012), and SXSW in Austin (March 2012). These performances, often alongside acts like No Joy, showcased the band's growing command of atmospheric live sets and helped build momentum in the indie circuit. In 2013, Lower Dens contributed to the charity split 7-inch Less Artists More Condos No. 9 alongside , released via Famous Class Records to benefit the Ariel Panero Memorial Fund; the band's side featured the synth-driven original "Non Grata," highlighting their experimental side. This period also saw increased media exposure, including NPR's First Listen stream of Nootropics in April 2012 and a live SXSW broadcast, which spotlighted the band's role in elevating Baltimore's vibrant indie scene alongside peers like .

Escape from Evil era (2015–2016)

Lower Dens recorded their third studio album, Escape from Evil, at Beat Babies studio in , with production handled by lead singer and Chris Coady. The album was released on March 31, 2015, through Ribbon Music, marking a shift toward more polished, synth-driven pop structures compared to the psychedelic elements of their previous release, Nootropics. Singles "To Die in L.A." and "Ondine" were issued in advance, the former featuring a video directed by SSION's Cody Critcheloe that evoked Hollywood stereotypes through dreamlike imagery. The album delves into themes of , queerness, and , drawing from Hunter's personal experiences with depression, , love, and human connection. Tracks like "Ondine" portray offers of escape from toxic relationships, while "" explores love among marginalized communities facing disenfranchisement. "Non Grata" employs dark humor to address and lifelong struggles, reflecting Hunter's introspective lyricism influenced by their emerging transmasculine identity, which Hunter publicly discussed around the album's release. Synth-heavy arrangements underscore these introspective narratives, blending emotional vulnerability with upbeat '80s-inspired pop sensibilities. The band's lineup remained stable during this period, centered on Hunter and drummer Nate Nelson, with additional musicians enhancing the live synth elements for performances. Lower Dens embarked on an extensive world tour in 2015, supporting the album across and , including aftershows at Chicago's . Promotional efforts included NPR's First Listen premiere and track-by-track annotations by Hunter, emphasizing the record's warmth and physicality. Critically, Escape from Evil was praised for its maturation into accessible pop while retaining emotional depth, earning an 8.3/10 from for its homage to aesthetics without mere imitation. The Guardian highlighted the thrilling contrast between dark lyrical content and cheery production, calling it a welcome detour into retro pop. Commercially, the album represented a peak for the band, boosting their streaming presence and solidifying their profile, though it foreshadowed more explicit political explorations in Hunter's later work.

The Competition and final years (2017–2021)

In September 2016, Lower Dens released the single "Real Thing," a synth-driven track that signaled a shift toward more electronic pop elements and was later included on their fourth album. The song, written by frontperson Jana Hunter and featuring electric guitar twang alongside dominant synthesizers, marked the band's return following their 2015 album Escape from Evil. This release came three years before the album's official announcement, highlighting the extended development period for the project. The band's fourth album, The Competition, began recording around the time of "Real Thing" but faced a prolonged timeline, with its announcement on May 30, 2019, and release on September 6, 2019, via Ribbon Music. The four-year gap from Escape from Evil stemmed from personal hurdles for Hunter, including , amid the evolving sound. Featuring tracks like the opener "Galapagos" and "," the album built on the 2016 single with additional previews such as "I Drive," released in July 2019 as a vibrant, inquisitive cut exploring alienation and chosen family. The Competition addressed political themes centered on capitalism's competitive pressures, personal identity, and societal repression, often through a lens of experience and dystopian critique. Hunter described the title as evoking the daily mindset imposed by capitalist structures, with songs like "Young Republicans" satirizing political cults and tracks like "I Drive" questioning enforced separations. The album received positive critical attention for its cathartic energy and blend of retro synths with urgent socio-political commentary, earning a 6.7 from , which praised its ambitious theoretical depth despite some didactic moments. Other outlets highlighted its potency in weaving personal and worldly ideas into accessible pop. Following the album's release, Lower Dens embarked on tours in late , including U.S. dates supporting and headline shows that wrapped with performances in cities like and New York. A North American tour was scheduled for February to March , but it was abbreviated due to the , limiting the band to just a handful of dates before restrictions halted live activity. The global health crisis led to a hiatus in , with no further shows or releases as the band navigated financial and logistical challenges. On December 8, 2021, Hunter announced the band's via a post titled "Goodbye/Hello" on their website, stating that they and Nate Nelson could no longer participate in the music industry due to spiritual and physical exhaustion. The decision stemmed from creative depletion after over a decade and a desire to pursue separate paths, with no additional band activity following the announcement. Hunter briefly explored solo endeavors post-, marking the end of Lower Dens' run.

Musical style and influences

Core elements and early sound

Lower Dens' foundational sound emerged on their 2010 debut album Twin-Hand Movement, blending with , , and lo-fi elements to create a hazy, atmospheric texture. The music is characterized by swirling, distorted guitars that generate walls of feedback and hypnotic rhythms driven by insistent drum patterns and pulsing basslines, often prioritizing sonic immersion over melodic clarity. At the core of this sound is Jana Hunter's distinctive vocals, described as a deep, elastic with a charred, ghostly quality that conveys androgynous ambiguity and emotional rawness, frequently buried in the mix to blend with the instrumentation. Hunter's songwriting, initially rooted in solo folk traditions, expanded through band dynamics to emphasize guitar fuzz and minimal synth accents, fostering a sense of and alienation in tracks like "Tea Lights" and "Holy Water." Thematically, the early work explores emotional ambiguity, dread, and bleak confusion, drawing influences from pioneers like My Bloody Valentine and acts such as the Pixies, which informed the band's use of layered and rhythmic tension. Production on Twin-Hand Movement, handled by Chris Coady, adopted a raw indie aesthetic with spatial reverb and echoing effects, cultivating a dark, immersive atmosphere that evoked vast, disorienting landscapes. In live performances during this period, Lower Dens delivered energetic sets heavy on feedback and chaotic , mirroring the studio's noisy intensity and reinforcing the band's commitment to atmospheric overload. This approach marked a departure from Hunter's pre-band solo folk explorations, channeling personal introspection into a , visceral rock experience.

Evolution and thematic shifts

Lower Dens' musical progression began with the noise rock-infused of their 2010 debut Twin-Hand Movement, characterized by bohemian emotional intensity and minimalist arrangements that evoked personal alienation and . By their 2012 sophomore album Nootropics, produced by Drew Brown, the band shifted toward and , incorporating experimental instrumentation and kraut-rock elements to explore themes of and dystopian societies, marking a darker, more provocative sonic landscape. This evolution reflected a deliberate move from raw, guitar-driven noise to hazy, atmospheric textures, with reviews noting the album's nihilistic undertones and emotional depth. Post-2015, Lower Dens embraced and electronic elements, evident in Escape from Evil, co-produced by and Chris Coady, which introduced glossy, danceable rhythms and synth influences for a brighter, more polished production. The album's jittery percussion and layered vocals built on earlier but added escapist pop structures, drawing from new wave aesthetics and Baltimore's dance culture to create a queer utopia amid . This phase saw increased production sheen through collaborators like Coady, previously of , enhancing the band's genre fluidity and adaptability. Thematically, early works centered on personal alienation and unrequited romance, evolving in Escape from Evil to escapism, queerness, and community awareness, coinciding with Hunter's non-binary identity announcement and explorations of vulnerability. By 2019's The Competition, with additional production by Chris Tabron, lyrics became more direct and cathartic, critiquing capitalism's competitive mindset, socio-psychological repression, and trans identity amid political turmoil like the 2016 U.S. election. Influences expanded to include '70s/'80s industrial sounds from and , alongside literary nods to , infusing with urgent political theory. Hunter's use of and layered vocals amplified emotional intensity, as in tracks addressing societal numbness. Critics have praised this trajectory for its fluidity and Hunter's gender-nonconforming presence, highlighting the band's shift from brooding to politically charged "resistance pop" that balances melodic accessibility with theoretical depth. Reviews emphasize adaptability, from dreamy rock to synth-forward urgency, positioning Lower Dens as a key voice in contemporary indie for blending personal with broader socio-political commentary.

Band members

Core and founding members

Lower Dens was founded in 2010 by in , , following Hunter's relocation from , , where they had established an and pursued a solo career releasing lo-fi folk albums. As the band's , , and primary songwriter, Hunter served as the central creative force, handling most lyrics while collaborating with bandmates on arrangements to shape the group's evolving sound. A non-binary transmasculine artist, Hunter's introspective and fluid approach to identity influenced the band's thematic depth. The initial lineup coalesced in 2010 around Hunter, with Geoff Graham on bass, Will Adams on guitar, and Abram Sanders on drums, forming the core ensemble that recorded the debut album Twin-Hand Movement and established Lower Dens' early noise rock-inflected aesthetic through Graham's foundational low-end grooves, Adams' textural guitar layers, and Sanders' driving rhythms. Drummer Nate Nelson joined in 2011 as a key long-term collaborator in the rhythm section, contributing to subsequent albums and co-announcing the band's 2021 breakup alongside Hunter.

Later and touring members

In the mid-2010s, multi-instrumentalist Carter Tanton joined Lower Dens as a touring and recording member, contributing guitar and keyboards to the band's album Nootropics and associated live performances. Tanton departed the group by early 2015, prior to the release of Escape from Evil. Guitarist Walker Teret became a key touring member starting around 2015, joining core members and Nate Nelson alongside bassist Geoff Graham for live shows supporting Escape from Evil. This lineup performed at venues including in 2015 and various U.S. dates in 2016, adding layered guitar elements to the band's evolving sound. For tours in support of the 2019 album The Competition, the band operated primarily as a duo of Hunter and Nelson but expanded to a trio with Peter Tran, enhancing live renditions with additional texture during sessions and performances in 2019–2020. Rotating keyboardists and synth players, often uncredited session contributors, supported international and dates from 2015 to 2019, including extra percussion for fuller arrangements without permanent roster changes post-2015. These additions bolstered the band's shift to synth-heavy live dynamics, providing richer sonic depth while preserving Hunter's central songwriting role.

Discography

Studio albums

Lower Dens' debut studio album, Twin-Hand Movement, was released on July 20, 2010, through Gnomonsong Records. The 10-track record emphasizes raw energy in its sparse, electronic instrumentation and emotional peaks reminiscent of 1970s new wave. It had a limited initial pressing as an independent debut. The band's breakthrough second album, Nootropics, arrived on April 30, 2012, via Ribbon Music. Featuring 10 tracks, it incorporates psychedelic hooks within hazy, tense arrangements centered on frontwoman Jana Hunter's songwriting. The album marked a significant step forward, earning critical acclaim for its richly detailed and ethereal sound. Escape from Evil, Lower Dens' third studio album, was issued on March 31, 2015, by Ribbon Music. This 10-track effort pivots toward , blending '80s-inspired aesthetics with the band's evolving style. It highlights Hunter's vision of warmth and physicality in its catchy, pop-fueled compositions. The final studio album, The Competition, came out on September 6, 2019, through Ribbon Music in partnership with . Comprising 11 tracks, it serves as a politically charged conclusion to the band's discography, addressing themes of modern with urgent and elements. Special vinyl editions included bonus material. All four albums were primarily produced by in collaboration with band members and engineers, reflecting her role as the core songwriter.

Singles and EPs

Lower Dens' singles and EPs primarily served as promotional vehicles for their studio albums, with a focus on physical and digital formats to highlight evolving sounds from to . The band's output in this area was modest, totaling around five to six key releases across their career, often limited editions that underscored their roots in . These releases frequently featured B-sides or remixes, bridging album cycles and introducing thematic elements like personal and societal critique. The debut single "Holy Water" / "Disposable Parts" was released in 2010 on Gnomonsong as a 7-inch vinyl, marking the band's entry into the scene with raw, fuzz-driven tracks. This limited release laid the groundwork for their self-released debut Twin-Hand Movement, emphasizing lo-fi and Jana Hunter's distinctive vocals. No major EPs emerged in the early years, but the band participated in the Baltimore-based "Less Artists More Condos" compilation series with No. 9 in 2013 on Famous Class Records, a 7-inch split EP with that included covers such as "Linda Blair," showcasing experimental covers and local collaboration in a krautrock-infused format. In 2012, Lower Dens issued the "Brains / Propagation" 10-inch single on Ribbon Music, limited to 750 copies, as the lead for Nootropics, blending with pulsating rhythms; it was accompanied by a digital remix EP, Nootropics Remixed, featuring contributions from , Cex, and Steve Moore. The 2015 single "Ondine" on Ribbon Music promoted Escape from Evil, delivering ethereal synth layers in a digital format. The 2016 double A-side "Real Thing" / "Linda Blair" on Ribbon Music presaged The Competition, with the A-side's video directed by band member Hunter, capturing a shift to danceable ; it was released digitally on September 12. Leading into the final album, "I Drive" emerged in June 2019 on Ribbon Music as the , highlighting synth-driven grooves and themes of alienation. Promotional digital singles like "Galapagos" followed in 2019, further emphasizing the album's evolution with uplifting, reimagined societal narratives.

References

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