Sparhawk spent four decades with Parker, three of them as the core of alt-rock legends Low, before she died from cancer aged 55. He discusses finding his new, digitally-altered voice amid grief – and why he’s channelling Cher
‘One of my deepest hopes is that Mimi can continue to be the light …” Alan Sparhawk pulls his arms up tight around his head, covering his face and entangling his fingers in his long, curly hair. They stay there as he gathers himself, as he tries to staunch, or at least disguise, his distress. As much as he struggles, however, the tears are winning.
We are talking about his new music, but Sparhawk’s previous life casts a long shadow. In November 2022, his wife, Mimi Parker – his bandmate in the indie band Low since 1993 – died of cancer at 55. The grief Sparhawk feels is still raw, still overwhelming. He composes himself and continues: “Many people expressed real love and grief over her, but I felt a lot of things that nobody could touch, things that left me feeling very alone. I hope Mimi can be the light and something that people draw strength from.”
