Biography
The Lowest Pair is an American folk duo formed in 2013, consisting of banjoists and vocalists Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee. Kendl Winter, born and raised in Arkansas, was drawn to the Pacific Northwest's music scene in Olympia, Washington, where she released three solo albums on K Records and performed in folk and punk bands. Palmer T. Lee, a Minnesota native, built his first banjo at age 19 from inherited parts and fronted Minneapolis string bands. The two first met in 2009 at a bluegrass festival while in separate bands, reconnected through festivals and Facebook, and officially formed the duo in 2013 after Lee visited Washington, discovering their exceptional vocal harmonies and banjo chemistry.[1][2][3]
Their debut album, 36¢ (2014), was recorded in Minnesota with help from Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles, adapting their solo material into duets. They followed with The Sacred Heart Sessions (2015), recorded in a Duluth church, emphasizing collaborative songwriting, and released additional albums including Uncertain as It Is Uneven (2016), Fern Girl And Ice Man (2016), The Perfect Plan (2020), and Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be (recently produced by Tucker Martine). Known for double banjo arrangements blended with guitar, their style draws from bluegrass, old-time, southern gothic, americana, and indie folk, delivering stark lyricism and heartstring-tugging narratives while avoiding strict genre mimicry.[1][3][4][5]
Over the years, The Lowest Pair has relentlessly toured North America and the UK, playing over 500 shows, building a reputation as an under-the-radar americana duo with a focus on intimate, string-driven sounds that have evolved to include expanded instrumentation and collaborators.[2][5]
Fun Facts
- Palmer T. Lee built his first banjo at age 19 using pieces he inherited.
- The duo recorded The Sacred Heart Sessions in an old church (Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth, Minnesota) for a larger, reverberant sound.
- They met in 2009 at a bluegrass festival, bonded over festivals and Facebook, and Palmer rode to Seattle with friends in Pert Near Sandstone to collaborate.
- Signed to Team Love Records and based across Olympia, Washington, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, they've played over 500 live shows in their first five years.
Members
- Palmer T. Lee - acoustic guitar, banjo, lead vocals, original (from 2013)
- Kendl Winter - acoustic guitar, banjo, lead vocals, original (from 2013)
Original Members
- Palmer T. Lee - acoustic guitar, banjo, lead vocals, original
- Kendl Winter - acoustic guitar, banjo, lead vocals, original
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- John Hartford - poetic inspiration for band name (poem 'The Lowest Pair') [2013]
Key Collaborators
- Dave Simonett - producer and contributor (36¢ album) [2014]
- Tucker Martine - producer (Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be album) [recent]
- Leif Karlstrom - session musician (fiddle) (Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be) [recent]
- Sydney Nash - session musician (bass/piano) (Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be) [recent]
- Adam Roszkiewicz - session musician (guitar, mandolin, synth) (Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be) [recent]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
The Lowest Pair has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2026 | 23:03 | Tiny Rebellionsfrom Always As Young As We'll Ever Be | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |