Mimi Parker, vocalist and drummer of acclaimed and much-loved US indie duo Low, has died two years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Parker formed the prolific slowcore band in Duluth, Minnesota with her husband Alan Sparhawk in 1993 and they released 13 albums, including last year's Hey What.
The band were forced to cancel a number of shows due to "recent developments and changes" in Parker’s treatment, with all 2022 dates then cancelled in October.
Friends, it's hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but
— LOW (@lowtheband) November 6, 2022
She passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours. Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is indeed the most important thing.
Sparhawk confirmed the news of his wife’s death on Twitter. "Friends, it’s hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but She passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours," he said.
"Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is indeed the most important thing."
The duo was one of the most critically acclaimed acts of the last 30 years, with 2018’s Double Negative and 2021’s Hey What among the albums which won them rave reviews.
Parker and Sparhawk were regular visitors to Ireland, playing venues such as Whelan’s, The Ambassador, St Andrews Lane and The Olympia.
They also took part in RTÉ music show Other Voices. They most recently played Dublin’s Vicar Street last April.
Tributes have been pouring in for Parker.
The heartbreaking news that lovely Mimi has passed is quite unbearable.. Alan this is for you and your family and beautiful memories of Mimi ❤️😢 @lowtheband pic.twitter.com/TfSwkoyyj8
— tony husband (@tonyhusband1) November 6, 2022
A document to say @lowtheband played Dublin's @Vicar_Street 26 Apr 2022, one of the great,great bands. Music comes from a place no one else has visited.Mimi's voice is such a pure,magnificent sound.Always such a pleasure and wonder to see the band play. @foggynotions @GildedALM pic.twitter.com/dKD3xVTa47
— stilpix (@stilpix) May 2, 2022
We can't express how saddened we are of this news.
— BEAK (@BeakBristol) November 6, 2022
Mimi & Alan have created some of the greatest music of our time and to have spent time with them was a very humbling experience for us.
A beautiful couple.
Our thoughts are with Alan and their family.
Beak> x https://t.co/XgcELCWkMT
The Ambassador, Whelans,The Olympia, The Village, Andrews Lane,Vicar Street, Other Voices, Paul Mcloone session. @lowtheband never ever left Ireland short. #MimiParkerForever
— Dave O'Grady (@daveGildedALM) November 6, 2022
Their friends Dudley and Joss gave their great steers in the early days. https://t.co/VMbbw5M0hR
RIP mimi parker of low, one of our greatest voices from one of our greatest bands. this hits me unexpectedly hard, but low worked like that. https://t.co/SaCJHQQbvQ
— rob harvilla (@harvilla) November 6, 2022
Setlist from the Low gig in Dublin @Vicar_Street in April. Mimi's handwriting ❤️💔 pic.twitter.com/cj3rS24ZGV
— Aoife Barry (@sweetoblivion26) November 6, 2022
