The Lower 48 - Hot Fool (2016)

The Lower 48 are a 3 piece rock and roll band from the West Coast of America. The trio consists of multi instrumentalists Ben Braden, Sarah Parson, and Nicky Sadler, who all share the lead singing role. They are a powerful trio that focuses heavily on rhythm, three part harmony, and classic pop hooks. Over the last year of extensive touring The Lower 48 has played on NYLON magazines summer tour, had their song Come Awake air in a Super Bowl Ad, graced the stage at Summer Fest in Wisconsin and played a sold out show at The Roxy Theater in Los Angeles. They have also opened for many artists, including Chk Chk Chk and Mason Jennings.

“If the Beatles and Jack White gave birth to a musical baby, it would sound something like The Lower 48 – and yes, the band is just as ferocious as one would imagine, as we discovered in our interview. The trio’s multi-instrumental thick wall of sound is marvelous because the lead singer isn’t just a lead singer, the bassist doesn’t only play bass, and the drummer doesn’t only drum; they all carry the weight of at least two players effortlessly…”


When the three members were 18 years old, back in 2009, they moved from Minneapolis to Portland together to play music on the west coast. Being under aged and having never lived anywhere but with their folks, they became semi isolated for several years in Portland’s bar driven music culture. Ben, Sarah and Nicky all write songs and began doing so obsessively, racking up literally hundreds and hundreds of songs and recordings in the first few years on the coast. Releasing one full length and one EP brought moderate success, and they toured the country and especially the coast, countless times over the next few years. Sarah became known for her distinct smoky warble and dynamic stage presence, Ben for his characteristically catchy songwriting and 60’s bass tone, and Nicky for his imaginative drumming and classically beautiful voice and energy. After years of touring, and hundreds of songs later, the band has crafted a seasoned and powerful sound that ranges well beyond their young years and has now recorded their latest full length album, Hot Fool.
This album is a culmination of all the songs and tours and rehearsals and studio experience The Lower 48 has racked up being a professional band for 7 years. It's sound is diverse and fleshed out, displaying an understanding and awareness of itself. It genre jumps from song to song but throughout has the unmistakable consistent ring of a band that has worked hard to find their sound. There's something for everybody on this LP. Now in their mid 20’s, this is an amazingly dedicated and rehearsed band that is making major moves and turning lots of heads in early 2016.