Takin' a Walk: Classic Replay with the Roots, Rock, and Americana of Larkin Poe

Hosted by Buzz Knight | Released on February 28, 2025 | Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the "Classic Replay" episode of Takin' a Walk, Buzz Knight engages in an in-depth conversation with Rebecca and Megan Lovell, the talented sisters behind the roots rock and Americana band Larkin Poe. The episode delves into their musical heritage, creative processes, career milestones, and the dynamics that fuel their enduring partnership.

Early Life and Musical Heritage

The Lovell sisters trace their musical roots back to their childhood, emphasizing the integral role their family played in shaping their harmonious talents.

• Learning Harmony:
  Megan Lovell highlights, "Our mom sat down and taught us to sing. There's four siblings altogether, but the three sisters are the ones that sang together. So Rebecca and I and our older sister, we learned to sing harmony before we could even read." [03:43]

• Diverse Musical Influences:
  Rebecca Lovell adds, "Our mom grew up listening to a lot of folk artists and grew up in the land of Dolly Parton... we grew up having kind of a diverse love." [05:14]

Their parents fostered an environment rich in various musical genres, from rock and jazz to bluegrass and classical, laying a solid foundation for their versatile musical expressions.

Musical Evolution and Genre Exploration

Larkin Poe's avoidance of being pigeonholed into a single genre stems from their early endeavors to explore a wide array of musical styles.

• YouTube Cover Channels:
  Megan Lovell explains, "We have a YouTube channel where we cover a wide variety of songs... go and learn a Tom Petty song, go and learn a Black Sabbath song... that was sort of our way of educating ourselves further in the language of music." [05:35]

• Mentorship from Elvis Costello:
  Rebecca Lovell shares, "We played for a long time and we're kind of mentored by Elvis Costello... don't box yourselves in. Keep trying to keep audiences guessing." [07:31]

Their commitment to genre fluidity has allowed them to craft a unique sound that resonates across different musical landscapes, enhancing their appeal to a broad audience.

Career Turning Points and Independent Production

A pivotal moment in their career was the decision to self-produce their first record and establish their own label.

• Self-Producing 'Peach':
  Megan Lovell states, "2017 is the year that we self-produced our first record together, Peach, and we started our record label... it was our first taste of pure, unfettered creative freedom." [08:09]

• Embracing Risk for Creative Control:
  Megan Lovell reflects, "Being able to come together as a team and say we're going to do it ourselves... no going back for us now." [08:09]

This bold move granted them complete artistic control, allowing their music to evolve organically without external constraints.

Drive for Continuous Improvement

The sisters attribute their relentless pursuit of excellence to their upbringing and intrinsic work ethic.

• Influence of Parents' Work Ethic:
  Rebecca Lovell mentions, "They were both in the medical field and have a very strong drive and work ethic. I think it's also helped to have a little bit of sibling rivalry." [09:25]

• Pushing Each Other:
  Megan Lovell adds, "We push each other and there's no resting on laurels when you've got somebody beside you who really knows you and wants to see you improve." [10:00]

This mutual encouragement fosters a dynamic environment where both sisters continuously strive for personal and collective growth.

Supporting Each Other and Pushing Limits

The synergy between Rebecca and Megan is a cornerstone of their success, each complementing the other's strengths and compensating for weaknesses.

• Megan on Rebecca's Drive:
  Megan Lovell praises, "Rebecca is very much a let move forward... momentum is king." [14:00]

• Rebecca on Megan's Perspective:
  Rebecca Lovell acknowledges, "Megan really respects me to handle the truth from her... I trust this woman." [12:34]

Their balanced partnership ensures that they remain aligned in their creative endeavors while maintaining individual authenticity.

Instrumentation and Technical Preferences

The discussion shifts to their preference for specific instruments and their approach to technical aspects of music production.

• Passion for Dobro and Lap Steel:
  Rebecca Lovell shares, "I was searching for my voice in an instrument... lap steel, dobro... have such a vocal quality to them." [22:22]

• Consistency in Equipment:
  Megan Lovell explains, "We're very low maintenance when it comes to pedal boards or effects pedals. We like to find something that works and then stick with it." [15:49]

This dedication to their instruments ensures a consistent and authentic sound in their performances.

Influences from Other Musicians

Larkin Poe draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, both contemporary and classic, shaping their musical identity.

• Jerry Douglas and Elvis Costello:
  Megan Lovell acknowledges, "Jerry Douglas... Elvis Costello... they've had an indelible impact on our career and who we are as people." [24:27]

• Blues and Southern Rock Influences:
  Rebecca Lovell adds, "We've been super influenced by blues music... Allman Brothers, Skip James, Sun House." [24:27]

These influences manifest in their storytelling, musical arrangements, and overall aesthetic, enriching their creative output.

Building the Fan Base

The sisters recount their grassroots efforts in cultivating a dedicated fanbase, emphasizing personal connections and consistent outreach.

• Grassroots Touring:
  Rebecca Lovell describes, "Our 20s were dedicated towards a huge grassroots effort... playing to five people and gradually building up." [34:12]

• Emotional Ties with Fans:
  Megan Lovell reflects, "We're tied together in a very emotional way, and it's super meaningful. The relationships you form with music lovers are huge." [35:43]

This approach not only fosters loyalty but also creates a sense of community around their music.

Creative Process in the Studio

Larkin Poe's approach to recording is a blend of live interaction and technological adaptation, striving to capture the essence of their live performances.

• Live Tracking Ambitions:
  Megan Lovell explains, "We're attempting as much as possible to represent who we are on the live stage in the studio... building a recording studio to facilitate live performances." [30:23]

• Capturing Human Energy:
  Megan Lovell emphasizes, "There's a fingerprint of spiritual energy that exists when humans make music together... AI can never recreate that." [30:36]

Their commitment to authenticity ensures that their recordings resonate with the same vibrancy as their live shows.

Musical Happiness

The Lovell sisters share their personal definitions of musical happiness, highlighting creativity and genuine interaction as key components.

• Rebecca's Perspective:
  Rebecca Lovell states, "Musical happiness is time to experiment, to create something new that can mean something to somebody else." [36:12]

• Megan's Reflection:
  Megan Lovell adds, "Musical happiness is when music is allowed to be a conversation... when it's not too premeditated." [39:07]

These insights reveal their deep connection to the creative process and their desire to foster meaningful musical exchanges.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Buzz Knight wraps up the episode by acknowledging the profound insights shared by Rebecca and Megan Lovell. The conversation underscores the importance of authenticity, continuous growth, and heartfelt connections in their musical journey. The episode serves as an inspiring narrative for aspiring musicians and fans alike, illustrating how dedication and passion can sculpt a unique and enduring musical legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Megan Lovell [03:43]: "We learned to sing harmony before we could even read."
• Rebecca Lovell [05:14]: "We grew up having kind of a diverse love."
• Megan Lovell [08:09]: "That was our first taste of pure, unfettered creative freedom."
• Rebecca Lovell [09:25]: "We push each other and there's no resting on laurels."
• Megan Lovell [12:34]: "I trust this woman... she brings me back to reality."
• Rebecca Lovell [22:22]: "Dobro and lap steel have such a vocal quality to them."
• Megan Lovell [30:36]: "There's a fingerprint of spiritual energy that exists when humans make music together."
• Rebecca Lovell [36:12]: "Musical happiness is time to experiment, to create something new."

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