Low Hummer

Musicians — Hull

01Profile

A Low Hummer Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
We are Low Hummer (Aimee, Joe, Jack, Steph, John and Dan), a six-piece from chilly beautiful Hull.

Describe your style in three words?
A: This is hard! I pull inspiration from so many different places when buying clothes, and I prefer to buy second-hand or vintage for added sustainability and individuality. I’ll go with artistic, retro, and... feminine.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Jo: A big one for me was seeing Paul McCartney at the O2 in London a couple of years ago. It was in December, so naturally, he whipped out ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, as well as ending the show with the medley that closes 'Abbey Road'. Wonderful indeed!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Ja: I’m going to pick a specific time frame to get both of these together: 1970. That way I could be blown off the stage by Led Zeppelin and then out of the venue by Jimi Hendrix. People are still being influenced by those artists all these years later and for very good reason.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
A: I think one of the coolest mid-century subcultures is Beatnik. I take a lot of my style, literature and ideology from the movement. Feminist subcultures like Riot Grrrl heavily influenced me as a teen. I recently learned that the Courtney Love-esque branch of grunge is called ‘Kinderwhore’. I adore her style. And her attitude.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
S: I’d love to meet Mary Shelley. Any female writer from that era is astounding in my book - pursuing something that they were consistently told wasn’t meant for them. Shelley led an incredibly interesting but tragic life and wrote a novel at 18 that went on to define a genre. That’s pretty impressive. Besides, I’d love an invite to one of Lord Byron’s parties.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Jo: Just before the first lockdown last year, I was lucky enough to play at the O2 Academy Bournemouth. It’s just a really beautiful old theatre, that looks and sounds great!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
S: I really like what Chelou does. It’s so interesting and he deserves more credit for it. The video for 'Halfway To Nowhere' was also done by Polly Nor whose work I love.


Low Humer recently released their latest track 'Never Enough'. Listen, purchase or stream it via orcd.co/lowhummer.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
Jo: I heard 'Hey Ya!' by Outkast for the first time in ages the other day and it reminded me just how much I used to hammer that song as a kid. Me and a couple of friends actually won a class singing competition at our primary school with that very track. On reflection, it must have been horrific...

A song that defines the teenage you?
A: Teenage me went through a lot of phases, so I don’t know if there’s one song that sums it all up. I definitely listened to 'Rebel Girl' by Bikini Kill at least four times a day...

One record you would keep forever?
Jn: 'Harvest' by Neil Young... it’s an album that I’ve definitely “overplayed” but never tire of. I think it’s the perfect mix of angst and saddest with the unmistakable beauty of Neil Young's voice.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
D: "I’m standing on a ledge, and your fine spiderweb, is fastening my ankle to a stone"

From 'So Long, Marianne' by Leonard Cohen.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
Jn: This is very dependant on the stage of the night (it could be anything by the end) but Prince always ticks the boxes of a perfect dance floor track. 'Let's Go Crazy' has that instant pull!

A song you wished you had written?
A: 'A Case of You' by Joni Mitchell is so beautiful. Or anything by Leonard Cohen. I mean anything.

Best song to turn up loud?
Jo: 'Burning Down The House' by Talking Heads.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Ja: 'The Scientist' by Coldplay. Yes, I like Coldplay. I’m that guy. I will never apologise…

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
Jn: It has to be chilled by this point and the nicest sounding guitar riff I’ve ever heard is the intro of 'Perth' by Bon Iver. I think I’d be asleep by the end of the song which is ideal!

Any new music you are listening to right now?
Jo: Not strictly a new artist really, but I’ve been enjoying Willie J Healey’s most recent record, 'Twin Heavy'.
Jn: A couple of artists I’ve had on repeat in the last few months are Adrianne Lenker from Big Thief and Christian Lee Hudson whose latest album has been produced by Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve been drawn to more relaxing music since being locked away in my house. Music to potter and cook to.
D: 'Jim, Let’s Play' by Drug Store Romeos. They have an album out soon and I can’t wait.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
We are Low Hummer (Aimee, Joe, Jack, Steph, John and Dan), a six-piece from chilly beautiful Hull.

Describe your style in three words?
A: This is hard! I pull inspiration from so many different places when buying clothes, and I prefer to buy second-hand or vintage for added sustainability and individuality. I’ll go with artistic, retro, and... feminine.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Jo: A big one for me was seeing Paul McCartney at the O2 in London a couple of years ago. It was in December, so naturally, he whipped out ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, as well as ending the show with the medley that closes 'Abbey Road'. Wonderful indeed!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Ja: I’m going to pick a specific time frame to get both of these together: 1970. That way I could be blown off the stage by Led Zeppelin and then out of the venue by Jimi Hendrix. People are still being influenced by those artists all these years later and for very good reason.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
A: I think one of the coolest mid-century subcultures is Beatnik. I take a lot of my style, literature and ideology from the movement. Feminist subcultures like Riot Grrrl heavily influenced me as a teen. I recently learned that the Courtney Love-esque branch of grunge is called ‘Kinderwhore’. I adore her style. And her attitude.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
S: I’d love to meet Mary Shelley. Any female writer from that era is astounding in my book - pursuing something that they were consistently told wasn’t meant for them. Shelley led an incredibly interesting but tragic life and wrote a novel at 18 that went on to define a genre. That’s pretty impressive. Besides, I’d love an invite to one of Lord Byron’s parties.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Jo: Just before the first lockdown last year, I was lucky enough to play at the O2 Academy Bournemouth. It’s just a really beautiful old theatre, that looks and sounds great!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
S: I really like what Chelou does. It’s so interesting and he deserves more credit for it. The video for 'Halfway To Nowhere' was also done by Polly Nor whose work I love.


Low Humer recently released their latest track 'Never Enough'. Listen, purchase or stream it via orcd.co/lowhummer.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
Jo: I heard 'Hey Ya!' by Outkast for the first time in ages the other day and it reminded me just how much I used to hammer that song as a kid. Me and a couple of friends actually won a class singing competition at our primary school with that very track. On reflection, it must have been horrific...

A song that defines the teenage you?
A: Teenage me went through a lot of phases, so I don’t know if there’s one song that sums it all up. I definitely listened to 'Rebel Girl' by Bikini Kill at least four times a day...

One record you would keep forever?
Jn: 'Harvest' by Neil Young... it’s an album that I’ve definitely “overplayed” but never tire of. I think it’s the perfect mix of angst and saddest with the unmistakable beauty of Neil Young's voice.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
D: "I’m standing on a ledge, and your fine spiderweb, is fastening my ankle to a stone"

From 'So Long, Marianne' by Leonard Cohen.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
Jn: This is very dependant on the stage of the night (it could be anything by the end) but Prince always ticks the boxes of a perfect dance floor track. 'Let's Go Crazy' has that instant pull!

A song you wished you had written?
A: 'A Case of You' by Joni Mitchell is so beautiful. Or anything by Leonard Cohen. I mean anything.

Best song to turn up loud?
Jo: 'Burning Down The House' by Talking Heads.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Ja: 'The Scientist' by Coldplay. Yes, I like Coldplay. I’m that guy. I will never apologise…

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
Jn: It has to be chilled by this point and the nicest sounding guitar riff I’ve ever heard is the intro of 'Perth' by Bon Iver. I think I’d be asleep by the end of the song which is ideal!

Any new music you are listening to right now?
Jo: Not strictly a new artist really, but I’ve been enjoying Willie J Healey’s most recent record, 'Twin Heavy'.
Jn: A couple of artists I’ve had on repeat in the last few months are Adrianne Lenker from Big Thief and Christian Lee Hudson whose latest album has been produced by Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve been drawn to more relaxing music since being locked away in my house. Music to potter and cook to.
D: 'Jim, Let’s Play' by Drug Store Romeos. They have an album out soon and I can’t wait.

 

05Videos

Low Hummer | Never Enough (2021)

Low Hummer | Sometimes I Wish (I Was A Different Person) (2020)

Low Hummer | The Real Thing (2020)

Low Hummer | Take Arms (2020)