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The latest full-length from Larkin Poe, Blood Harmony is a whole-hearted invitation into a world they know intimately, a Southern landscape so precisely conjured you can feel the sticky humidity of the warm summer air. In bringing their homeland to such rich and dazzling life, Georgia-bred multi-instrumentalist sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell fortify their storytelling with a blues-heavy sound that hits right in the heart, at turns stormy and sorrowful and wildly exhilarating. Rooted in the potent musicality the Nashville-based duo has brought to such widely lauded work as 2018's Venom & Faith (a GRAMMY® Award nominee for Best Contemporary Blues Album), Blood Harmony affirms Larkin Poe as an essential force in shaping the identity of Southern rock-and-roll, breathing new energy into the genre with both forward-thinking perspective and a decidedly feminine strength.
"We have such fond memories of our upbringing and experiencing the beauty of Southern hospitality in its truest form--it's a very loving and inclusive energy," says Rebecca, Larkin Poe's lead vocalist/lyricist. "There's an idea that we don't walk alone, and that there's safety in keeping your door open to anyone and everyone. What we try to share through our music is the emotional equivalent of opening your door to everyone and inviting them in for sweet tea."
In a departure from the self-contained approach of past albums like 2020's Self Made Man--a critically acclaimed LP praised by American Songwriter as "pumped up for arena-sized consumption without compromising any of its stripped-down command and intensity"--Larkin Poe co-produced Blood Harmony alongside Texas-bred musician Tyler Bryant (also Rebecca's husband). "In the past we've taken a very intentional tact of self-reliance, but this time it felt right to open up the process while still keeping it a family affair," says Rebecca. With Megan handling harmony vocals, lap steel, and resonator guitar and Rebecca on guitar and keys, Larkin Poe also enlisted members of their longtime live band, including drummer Kevin McGowan and bassist Tarka Layman. Mainly recorded at Rebecca and Tyler's home studio, the result is an electrifying body of work that fully harnesses the fiery vitality they've shown in touring across the globe. "We spent a lot of time hashing everything out in pre-production, just the two of us, so that by the time we got to recording we'd already worked out all the details," Megan recalls. "We didn't want to end up stitching a bunch of takes together--we just wanted to get in there and make it as live and raw as possible."
One of the first songs penned for Blood Harmony, "Southern Comfort" instantly set the tone for Larkin Poe's finespun reflection on their heritage. With its soul-stirring harmonies and sharply detailed lyrics ("Blue jeans, leaning on a hot car/Broke every string on my old guitar"), the fiercely stomping track channels both gutsy determination and a homesick longing for days gone by. "That song partly came from thinking about our little aunts in Chattanooga," Rebecca says. "It's about rolling up as rock-and-roll musicians with tattoos on our arms, and they'd just sit us down and get out the pinto beans and collard greens and cornbread." Another meditation on the preciousness of family, Blood Harmony's smoldering title track celebrates a certain unbridled spirit passed down through generations. "'Blood Harmony' came together after Megan and our mom and I all read Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being, which is about the ways we perceive the passage of time," says Rebecca. "There was just something about the sweetness of all three of us reading the same book, and then being able to talk about how it related to our love for each other and our love for music." And on "Georgia Off My Mind," the duo deliver a heavy-hearted yet swinging lament for what we leave behind in chasing our dreams. "Like 99 percent of my songs, that song came into being at my kitchen table late in the evening," says Rebecca. "My husband and I stumbled into that line at the chorus--'Tennessee keep Georgia off my mind'--and it turned into a love song for the stretch of I-24 that connects Atlanta and Nashville, which is a drive we've made thousands of times now."
All throughout Blood Harmony, Larkin Poe imbue their songs with equal parts soulful sensitivity and thrilling ferocity--an element on full display in the feverish guitar work of "Bad Spell." "Ever since I heard 'I Put a Spell on You' by Screamin' Jay Hawkins for the first time I've wanted to write a female response to it," says Rebecca. "I'd had the title 'Bad Spell' in my journal for years, and it was so fun to create a song where the riffs and guitar tones have that singular purpose of nastiness and swagger." From the bare-bones frenzy of the album-opening "Deep Stays Down" to the euphoric bounce of "Kick the Blues" to the moody enchantment of "Lips As Cold As Diamond," Blood Harmony reveals a band in complete touch with their formidable intuition. "We've always been tenacious about following our gut, and that's really served us well," says Megan. "With my playing on this record, I trusted my own process and my own voice more than I ever have before, and when I listen back it sounds so much more like me. There's a lot of power in that."
A glorious testament to staying true to your instincts, Blood Harmony ultimately embodies a joyful empowerment that Larkin Poe hope to extend to their globe-spanning fanbase, including the close-knit community who call themselves Kinsiders. "They're people who have maybe never met in the flesh but are still able to connect and commune, and they're all so accepting of one another," says Rebecca. "We always feel that very loving aura at our live shows, and we feel incredibly fortunate for that. It's our highest and best purpose to be that connective tissue for others."
Encore
Been going to Larkin Poe shows since 2016 and with each new year and each new album they just keep getting better. Premier high energy blues rock with great stage presence. A guaranteed good time and this show was no exception.
The Larkin Poe Sisters showed a mastercraft example of Blues playing. Rebecca singing and paly is only out done by Sister Megan's slide ripping through those songs they are a match made in heaven or some might say hell. It was so enjoying to see two young women showing the world/lewiston NY how the blues should be played. WE even drove from Canada to see the girls play. Been a fan since the pandemic closed us in and the girls were sharing on the internet. In March of this year they played in Canada. I have been hooked ever since and will try to see them anytime they come around. These Girls are going to be Legends!!!
Larkin Poe is phenomenal, and ArtPark was a great Venue! I don't get to a lot of concerts (other the the Peach Festival) but have seen Larkin Poe three times now. They get better everytime!!
Larkin Poe and Allman Betts proved that the blues is very much alive and will be far into the future! Would have loved to see them on stage together for a jam or two. Artpark Amphitheater is the best kept secret in Western NY! A clean, comfortable, friendly atmosphere, with incredible sunsets enhancing the superb sound. I have never been to an outdoor concert with better acoustics! The $20 lawn ticket was worth 10 times the price for this outstanding evening!
I had to the chance to see these lovely ladies on the Rock Legends Cruise in 2020. Somehow I managed to miss all three of their performances, and I still kick myself in the arse for missing them! I was on the rail for the show at Artpark! The ladies are not only adorable, they are high energy, harmonize like no other and truly ROCK! Thanks for a great show, sisters! I can’t wait to see you again.
Larkin Poe is high energy and very talented. The live experience is exceptioonal.
Your going to fall in love with these sisters! The array of music types they sing is refreshing! Rock, Blues, Folk, you name it !
I purchased the VIP pass which was amazing. Meeting them was cathartic; they are so down to earth and have a nice little chat with you if you want. I even went up a second time after everyone was done taking photos! They chat with the audience about their experiences and what it was like writing the songs. There’s a reason Megan is called the “Slide Queen”. Rebecca’s vocals were top notch and Thalia Hall is a beautiful venue! They’re getting to be more popular lately, so get tickets soon so you can experience a nice intimate venue. There’s nothing quite like it.
This was my fifth time seeing Larkin Poe live and they were phenomenal as always. This is a really good act comprised of Megan and Rebecca Lovell, two sisters that play blues and roots rock. Their recorded music is quite good, but where they really shine is in their live performances and they did not disappoint at Thalia Hall in Chicago. They played to a sold-out (900+) audience. The venue - Thalia Hall - is a really cool old theatre that is great for music. This was my first visit to Thalia and I'll certainly be going back. Overall, an excellent show!
Larkin Poe are a World Class act! Seeing them at such an intimate venue was amazing! Thalia Hall seems well run as well! If you never seen these girls rock out- it’s a must see!
One of the best shows I have seen in a while. These ladies are truly incredible musicians.
The Michigan Rattlers were the opening act. Very good band. Definitely would have enjoyed more of their music. Larkin Poe is a high energy sister act. They were good but not my favorite of the night.
I’ve seen them several times at venues of various sizes. This was the best show I’ve seen from them….so far.
These lovely ladies put on an incredibly talented and high-energy show that will provide memories that will last a lifetime. Going into the show, I was vaguely familiar with them. After the show, I now own every album they have released and will attend every show possible. They are just that good. The fact that I saw them in an 800-person venue made the experience even more outstanding. Why they're not playing to crowds of 30,000 is absolutely beyond me. They deserve much more exposure.
Opening act Michigan Ramblers we’re fantastic. Larkin Poe put on an awesome, high energy show. Enjoyed the venue, Thalia Hall.
This concert was probably one of the best is have seen in a long time. If you like southern rock, blues or just appreciate musicians who can really play guitar then do not hesitate- buy a ticket. I can assure you that you will be blown away by their talent.
The parking is difficult and unclear on the website. The security was annoying.
Had a really great time. Larkin Poe rocks !!! Would have been nice to have more seats available. The show was well worth the price.
how good they really are. After the show, I turned to the guy next to me and said, “I for one did not expect that much ass to be kicked.” Kickass. I knew about the badass lap steel playing, but the vocal performance - the whole performance: songs, rhythm section, etc. - was stellar. That woman can sing. And an excellent front person. Thoroughly entertained and blown away. And of course the 9:30. I’ve never seen a bad show there. The crowd is always great, the sound is excellent, and it’s always a great time. And I found a close street parking spot!
I had never heard of this band until several months ago when I found them by accident on YouTube. I was really looking forward to seeing them when I found that they would be coming to DC. They lived up to and past my expectations. Not only was their music and musicianship first class, but they also interacted with the crowd which I appreciated. The lead singer has a great voice and can really belt out a song, and the two sisters harmonize beautifully. The one sister can play the hell out of that standing slide guitar too.
