Wonder Woman of the Week: Larkin Poe

I found out about this week’s spotlight a couple of months ago while listening to an alternative music radio station. Their combination of slide guitar and deep south rock gave me the chills and I knew I needed to hear more songs from the duo of sisters. The two women are still relatively unheard of and- like many women from history on this blog- the are severely underappreciated. These women are one epic musical team-up and can shred the hell out of a guitar. The Wonder Women of the Week are Larkin Poe.

Rebecca and Megan Lovell grew up singing with each other in the heart of Georgia. The two sisters first performed under the name The Lovell Sisters Band and their sound has evolved greatly since they won a first place finish in a music contest in Calhoun, Georgia. The sisters’ newest album Kin combined a series of old fashioned blues with some contemporary tones weaving personal experiences with Delta Blues instruments. [1]

Before the release of Kin, Larking Poe had to tour without any supporting label and even self-released their own records. The sisters say they learned an invaluable resource from the experience of independent management. Working on a tight budget, promoting themselves, and being in control of managing the band helped them deal with challenges later in their career. [2]

The band Larkin Poe combines a series of genres including rock, blues, Americana, and folk to forge a unique sound- especially in an age where most female musicians are only taken seriously in the pop genre. Rebecca Lovell leads with the mandolin, guitar, and lead vocals while Megan Lovell shreds on the lap steel with vocals of her own. Their latest album Kin explores the history of their family from the dynamic between the two siters all the way back to their fifth great grandfather Larkin Poe who was a Civil War wagon driver and distant cousin of Edgar Allen Poe. [3]

Megan and Rebecca Lovell’s life-long collaboration in music shows. The two sisters seriously know how to play blues rock and will prove a powerful contrast to some of the other musicians spotlighted on this blog. The combination of slide guitar and Southern vocals is enough to warrant a VIP ticket to their next concert and the grit of self-producing has forged them into a band that will transcend fame.

Shapiro, Ari. “Larkin Poe, A Sister Act With Staying-Power.” Interview. 5 October 2014. npr.org. Accessed 9 March 2016. http://www.npr.org/2014/10/05/353849624/larkin-poe-a-sister-act-with-staying-power

Wood, James. “’Kin’: Larkin Poe’s Rebecca Lovell talk infectious new album, touring.” 3 February 2016. AXS.com Accessed 9 March 2016. http://www.axs.com/news/kin-larkin-poe-s-rebecca-lovell-talks-infectious-new-album-touring-25787

Whitmore, L. “Larkin Poe’s Megan Lovell Lap Steel Video and Exclusive Interview.” 19 November 2014. Guitar World. Accessed 9 March 2016. http://www.guitarworld.com/acoustic-nation-larkin-poe-s-megan-lovell-lap-steel-video-and-exclusive-interview