LOVE CANON

Biography

Love Canon is a progressive bluegrass band formed in 2010 in Charlottesville, Virginia, by guitarist and vocalist Jesse Harper and banjoist Adam Larrabee. The group quickly expanded to include Andy Thacker on mandolin, Darrell Muller on bass, and Jay Starling on resonator guitar, with occasional contributions from fiddlers such as Nate Leath and Alex Hargreaves. Emerging from the musical foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Love Canon built a reputation for their virtuosic string playing and inventive arrangements, blending the acoustic traditions of bluegrass with the pop and electronic hits of the 1980s and 1990s.[1][2][5][6]

Rather than simply covering classic pop songs, Love Canon reimagines them through a bluegrass lens, infusing each track with intricate picking, tight harmonies, and a playful spirit. Their fourth album, 'Cover Story,' debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Chart and features bluegrass reinterpretations of songs by Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, Depeche Mode, and Paul Simon, among others. The band is known for energetic live performances and has appeared at major festivals, as well as collaborating with a wide range of artists both in the studio and on stage.[2][3][8]

Love Canon's legacy lies in their ability to bridge genres and generations, making bluegrass accessible to new audiences while honoring the genre's instrumental prowess. Their innovative approach has garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, positioning them as leaders in the 'newgrass' movement and as ambassadors for acoustic reinterpretations of pop culture classics.[1][2][3]

Fun Facts

• Love Canon's album 'Cover Story' debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Chart in 2018.[2]
• The band is known for transforming 1980s and 1990s pop hits into bluegrass arrangements, often performing songs by artists like Peter Gabriel, Depeche Mode, and Paul Simon.[2][3]
• They have performed live on BBC and RTE radio, expanding their audience internationally.[1]
• Their version of 'Islands in the Stream' was inspired by a sing-along at a summer fiddle camp, with guest vocalist Lauren Balthrop joining after a chance meeting on an island.[4]

Members

• Jesse Harper - guitar
• Jesse Harper - lead vocals
• Adam Larrabee - banjo
• Nate Leath - fiddle
• Darrell Muller - bass
• Darrell Muller - background vocals
• Jay Starling - resonator guitar
• Andy Thacker - mandolin

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bill Monroe - Stylistic influence; Monroe's bluegrass ensemble model inspired Love Canon's instrumentation and arrangements. (General influence on bluegrass structure) [Foundational to genre, ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Jesse Harper - Founding member, lead vocals and guitar (All albums, live performances) [2010–present]
• Adam Larrabee - Founding member, banjo (All albums, live performances) [2010–present]
• Andy Thacker - Mandolin (All albums, live performances) [2010–present]
• Darrell Muller - Bass (All albums, live performances) [2010–present]
• Jay Starling - Resonator guitar (All albums, live performances) [2010–present]
• Nate Leath - Fiddle (early member) (Early recordings, live performances) [2010s]
• Alex Hargreaves - Guest fiddler (Cover Story album, touring) [2018–present]
• Keller Williams - Studio and live guest (Love Canon & Friends, Cover Story) [2018–present]
• Jerry Douglas - Studio guest (Cover Story) [2018]
• Aoife O’Donovan - Studio guest, vocals (Cover Story) [2018]
• Michael Cleveland - Studio guest, fiddle (Cover Story) [2018]
• Eric Krasno - Studio guest, vocals (Cover Story) [2018]
• Lauren Balthrop - Guest vocalist (Islands in the Stream (Cover Story)) [2018]
• Mike Barnett - Guest fiddler (Islands in the Stream (Cover Story)) [2018]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary bluegrass and newgrass bands - Inspired others to reinterpret pop music with bluegrass instrumentation (Covers of 80s/90s pop in bluegrass style) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Take On Me (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
2. Down Under (Greatest Hits Vol. 3)
3. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
4. Africa (Greatest Hits, Vol. 1)
5. Islands in the Stream (Cover Story)
6. Money for Nothing (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
7. Don't Stop Believin' (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
8. Sledgehammer (Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
9. The Way It Is (Greatest Hits Vol. 3)
10. Solsbury Hill / Icecaps of Pentatonia-medley (Cover Story)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz