Larkin Poe

Biography

Larkin Poe is an acclaimed American roots rock and blues band formed by sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the Lovell sisters began their musical journey in childhood, studying violin and piano before gravitating toward bluegrass and roots music in their teens. Their first major project was The Lovell Sisters, a bluegrass trio with their older sister Jessica, which gained national attention after winning the 'Talent from Twelve to Twenty' contest on A Prairie Home Companion in 2005 and earning awards such as the John Lennon Songwriting Contest grand prize in 2008. When Jessica left the group in 2009, Rebecca and Megan reinvented themselves as Larkin Poe in 2010, shifting their focus to blues, rock, and Americana, and naming the band after an ancestor who was a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe.

As Larkin Poe, the sisters quickly established a reputation for electrifying live performances, soulful vocals, and masterful slide guitar work. Their early releases, including the EP 'Spring' (2010), showcased their songwriting and instrumental prowess, leading to collaborations with major artists and producers such as T Bone Burnett and Elvis Costello. Their 2018 album 'Venom & Faith' earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album and topped the Billboard Blues Chart, while subsequent albums like 'Self Made Man' (2020) further expanded their artistic reach. Larkin Poe's music is characterized by a blend of blues, southern rock, and Americana, underpinned by tight sibling harmonies and a deep respect for American roots traditions.

Larkin Poe's legacy is marked by their ability to bridge traditional and modern sounds, drawing from the deep well of Southern musical heritage while infusing it with contemporary energy and innovation. Their influence extends through their prolific output, dynamic performances, and a strong independent spirit, making them torchbearers for a new generation of blues and roots musicians.

Fun Facts

• The name 'Larkin Poe' comes from the sisters' great-great-great-great-grandfather, who was a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe.
• Rebecca and Megan Lovell originally performed as The Lovell Sisters, a bluegrass trio with their older sister Jessica, before forming Larkin Poe.
• Larkin Poe was named 'best discovery of Glastonbury' after their performance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014.
• The sisters are known for their prolific YouTube channel, where their homegrown duo videos have amassed tens of millions of views.

Members

• Megan Lovell - background vocals, original (from 2010-01)
• Megan Lovell - original, resonator guitar (from 2010-01)
• Megan Lovell - lap steel guitar, original (from 2010-01)
• Rebecca Lovell - original, piano (from 2010-01)
• Rebecca Lovell - lead vocals, original (from 2010-01)
• Rebecca Lovell - acoustic guitar, original (from 2010-01)
• Rebecca Lovell - electric guitar, original (from 2010-01)
• Rebecca Lovell - mandolin, original (from 2010-01)
• Tarka Layman - electric bass guitar
• Kelly McCarty - background vocals
• Kelly McCarty - electric bass guitar
• Kevin McGowan - drums (drum set)

Original Members

• Megan Lovell - background vocals, original
• Megan Lovell - original, resonator guitar
• Megan Lovell - lap steel guitar, original
• Rebecca Lovell - original, piano
• Rebecca Lovell - lead vocals, original
• Rebecca Lovell - acoustic guitar, original
• Rebecca Lovell - electric guitar, original
• Rebecca Lovell - mandolin, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• T Bone Burnett - Producer and mentor, invited the sisters to contribute harmonies and instrumentation to The New Basement Tapes project. (Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes) [2014]
• Classic Blues and Rock Artists (e.g., Skip James, Led Zeppelin, Bessie Jones) - Stylistic influences; Larkin Poe frequently covers and draws inspiration from these artists in their arrangements and songwriting. (Covers and reinterpretations on YouTube and live performances) [2010s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Elvis Costello - Collaborated on recordings and live performances. (Touring and studio sessions) [2010s]
• Ben Satterlee - Touring/session drummer for Larkin Poe's live band. (Live performances) [2020s]
• Tarka Layman - Touring/session bassist for Larkin Poe's live band. (Live performances) [2020s]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging female blues and roots musicians - Larkin Poe's success and visibility have inspired a new generation of women in blues and roots music, though specific proteges are not widely documented. (N/A) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. With A Little Help From My Friends - Live At The Ryman
2. Easy Love Pt. 1 (Bloom)
3. Deep Stays Down (Blood Harmony)
4. Easy Love, Pt. 1 (Bloom)
5. Deep Stays Down (Blood Harmony)
6. Mockingbird (Bloom)
7. Bluephoria (Bloom)
8. Get Up
9. Rosetta (Look Up)
10. Holy Ghost Fire (Self Made Man)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues-rock, #folk-rock, #indie-rock