The band's latest record, Smart Flesh (Nonesuch), was mostly recorded in an abandoned pasta sauce factory just outside of their native Providence, Rhode Island. Soft harmonies, accordions and bluesy lyrics about jet planes and loose women? Check.
It's a subtle follow-up to the successful Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, which launched the band on a world tour in support of beardy Carolinians the Avett Brothers. Formerly a trio, the band's current line-up (Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams and Mat Davidson) is a ragtag bunch of multi-instrumentalists with a simple, do-it-yourself ethos: the first 600 copies of Charlie Darwin even had individually painted inserts made from recycled or dumpster-dove cereal boxes.
The Low Anthem is touring this summer with Mumford & Sons, so pack a picnic lunch, spread a blanket in the shade and enjoy at a festival near you -- or better yet, share this Live at KDHX session, that captures the band in spooky, largely acoustic form.
All photos by Kate McDaniel.
