Interview: Larkin Poe

Over the past 15 years, sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell have won over audiences worldwide with their distinct style of roots rock, first as the Lovell Sisters and since 2010 as Larkin Poe.

Prior to their Friday, Dec. 3, show at The Orange Peel, the Lovells spoke with Asheville Stages about returning to the road, their ever-evolving creative process, what they look for in a cover song.

Edwin Arnaudin: You’ve lived in Atlanta and Nashville — both of which aren’t too far from Asheville. What’s your history with our city and what about it stands out to you?

Megan Lovell: We played our first gig in Asheville when we were 16 or 17 years old. In the intervening 15 years, we’ve made a lot of cherished memories in Asheville and have nothing but love for the Asheville music community, breweries, and, most importantly, the waterfalls.

EA: What’s it been like being back on tour after the pandemic-induced hiatus, and how have these performances felt different?

Rebecca Lovell: The chief emotion has definitely been gratitude. When a large part of the human condition is taking things for granted, I think it took a pandemic to teach us how much we truly have to be thankful for — and, in this case, that every show we get to play is a gift.

EA: Have any songs from Self Made Man taken on new significance for you over the course of this tumultuous past year-plus?

ML: I think “Holy Ghost Fire” hits deeper for me now than when we first recorded it. We originally wrote the song as our anthem for the “healing power of music” and, with everything that has occurred since its release, I’d say there’s a lot more weight behind the lyrics.

EA: How has your approach to songwriting evolved over the years? Have you each taken on slightly — or significantly — different roles throughout the creative process, or has it all stayed fairly consistent?

RL: As sisters and bandmates, we are true creative collaborators to the core. With that foundation, I think we’ve been able to allow quite a lot of flux in our writing relationships over the years. I’ll bring ideas to the table, Megan will bring ideas to the table — our process is ever-evolving. Our focus is always on the next record and how we’re gonna make it bigger, better, and more authentically than the last.

Photo by Bree Marie Fish

EA: A big part of what I love about your sound are the distinctive harmonies you two are able to craft. Which artists have influenced this aspect of your music the most?

ML: Our bluegrass upbringing informed a lot of our harmony singing: the Carter family, the Rowan Brothers, Bill Monroe — anything high and lonesome. Also, the Trio album by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris has always been a big touchstone.

EA: Your Kindred Spirits covers album is a blast. What was your general selection process for this project? And were there any songs that just missed making the cut — and might they appear on another release down the line?

RL: Yes! We’ve got a list as long as my arm of songs we’d love to cover. Our hope is to record many more volumes of Kindred Spirits in the future. Our only two rules for song selection are 1) Do we wish we had written the song? and 2) Are we bringing something new to the song? Beyond that, anything goes.

EA: On a related note, with your ability to play such a wide variety of songs, are you ever tempted to take your sound in a drastically different direction? Have you been experimenting with certain styles or instruments that may find their way into future recordings?

ML: Rebecca and I have been in a band, making music together for almost 15 years — we have absolutely done our fair share of stylistic experimentation. Honestly, it’s only been in the last few years that we’ve finally found a groove and are a little less tempted to genre-hop — but don’t quote us on that.

EA: What are your goals for 2022?

RL: We’re writing now, so in 2022 we hope to release what will undoubtedly be our best album to date. We’ve got a lot of touring on the books and look forward to shaking and howdying with all the good old-fashioned music lovers out there.

IF YOU GO

Who: Larkin Poe with Tyler Bryant
When: Friday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m.
Where: The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., theorangepeel.net
Tickets: $25 advance/$30 day of show

(Photo by Jason Stoltz)