RIFFING ON CLASSICS

Rebecca and Megan Lovell reveal the secrets behind Larkin Poe's alchemical magic for turning classic blues riffs into modern fuzzed-out blues-rock hooks.

- VINNIE DEMASI

YOU'VE GOT TO HAND IT TO SOUTHERN SIBLINGS.

From the Everly Brothers to the Allman Brothers to the Black Crowes' Robinson Brothers, those connected by blood and music seem to have a consistent knack for taking bits of the American country, folk and blues traditions and distilling them into their own unique brand of rock and roll.

Twelve years into their career, Calhoun, Georgia natives Megan and Rebecca Lovell, co-leaders of the band Larkin Poe, are well on their way to adding their family name to this storied musical legacy. Lead vocalist/guitarist/ mandolinist Rebecca and lap-steel/ Dobro specialist/harmony vocalist Megan began their musical journey with their older sister Jessica, as part of the bluegrass act the Lovell Sisters.

When the trio disbanded in 2009, the two younger siblings renamed themselves after their great-great-great-great grandfather, added a rhythm section, relocated to Nashville, and began exploring a sound that drew more from rock and early blues. They gained notoriety for their reworkings of Delta blues classics, their driving-yet-hook-laden originals, their incendiary live shows, and their clever use of YouTube and social media to build a following.

The group toured extensively, playing festivals around the world. Along the way they notched up several number one albums on the Billboard Blues chart, earned a Grammy nod for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2020, and performed and/or recorded with the likes of Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett and Steven Tyler. For their latest album,