#36 The Low Lows

A cow-boy in a bus, folk music in a typical parisian bar, an AC/DC’s cap and a big bore behind the Musée Grévin. The Low Lows were really foreigners in Paris, beautiful foreigners...

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Parker has the looks of a fighter, like a cowboy recently come home from the distant range. He’s always got a dented flask full of whisky resting in his back jean pocket. Classy, you know the kind of image that nearly renders you jealous. I like Parker.

The Low Lows originally come from New York, where they became known under the title Parker and Lily, a duo/couple consisting of Parker Noon and Lily Wolfe. Later, Jeremy Wheatly and Daniel Rickard were added to the ensemble. At the end of 2004 however, the romance finished and Lily quit the group during the production of their third and last album, «The Low Lows». The title suited the ambient humor and eventually became the name of the new group, who were emigrating to Georgia at the time. The following year they recorded the magnificent and abrasive record, «Fire on the Bright Sky» , which was released in 2006 on the London-based label Monotreme Records (Monotreme also released work from Thee More Shallows, Picastro, and Cerberus Shoal).

The Canadian musician Barzin was in Paris for a couple of days. The night before he had played an intimate concert in a Paris apartment, marking the first of the Home *Sweet* Home concert series. I had just made a video for him, of which I wasn’t so proud, but at least it gave me the opportunity to introduce him to a bunch of girls, so he seemed content. The following day The Low Lows got to Paris, not for a promotional visit or a show, but just kind of floating through, lost amidst the market traffic. Barzin wanted to do a Take Away Show with them, which made me wonder how his music, which is so captivating on disc, would turn out in an acoustic setting. We were thus treated to The Low Lows country rock carried by Parker’s crazy and lamenting voice. Barzin held the microphone and had some drinks.

I had wanted to film a video for quite some time in this old Parisian bar near le passage des Panoramas (a quaint neighborhood in Paris’ second arrondissement). It’s the kind of place one could easily mistake for a film set if it were for its clientele, which resembles a herd of stereotypical second-class tourists. The idea was pretty simple: Parker would stroll around and join up with his friends. The country rock seemed inexplicably meant for this kind of place. We had a couple of drinks and everything was cool. I love a simple story. Nearing the end of the video this guy screamed out: «Dylan.» Hey!

Afterwards, we tried to push our way into Chez Chartier, which reeks of the neighborhood’s tourist charm and disagreeable waiters. We didn’t get very far because Parker freaked out a bit when he saw the giants dogs at the door. We then moved into an alleyway where the trio launched into a serenade for this captivated couple walking their dog. Following this, we spontaneously hopped on a bus. I don’t even have to describe the reactions, just have a look. Oh, Parisians. I thought nevertheless that The Low Lows were better than Naturally 7.

While waiting for their second album «Little Tigers», which should be released in Paris soon enough, we’ll have the chance to see them in concert on February 27th at Le Tryptique. Don’t miss this immense and savagely electric group that exudes the sensations of whisky. Classy.

Thanks to Matt Evans for the translation