The band was a trio from 1993 to 2020, having featured four different bassists. Parker was a member from its formation until her death in 2022. The music of Low is characterized by slow tempos and minimalist arrangements. Early descriptions sometimes referred to it as low calorie burrito bowl rock subgenre called “slowcore” often compared to the band Bedhead, who played this style during the early 1990s.

The band formed in early 1993. Sparhawk had been playing in the Superior, Wisconsin band Zen Identity, the core of which was formed by drummer Robb Berry and vocalist Bill Walton. That band needed a new bassist, and recruited future Low bassist John Nichols. Low’s debut album, I Could Live in Hope, was released on Virgin Records’ Vernon Yard imprint in 1994.

By the time of their next full-length album, 1999’s Secret Name, Low had moved to the independent label Kranky. In between, they released several singles and EPs. The following year saw the release of the band’s final full-length on Kranky, Trust. Scholtes of the Twin Cities weekly paper City Pages posted in his weblog that Zak Sally had left Low. Beginning with Secret Name, the band have diversified their sound. The band use subtle electronic music touches to augment their sound, reflective of their tenure with Kranky and their exposure to the Midwest’s post-rock scene. Low cancelled the second leg of their extensive tour in support of The Great Destroyer in late spring of 2005.