Larkin Poe Kin –The Telegraph CD 9601.0005 $9.99 Vinyl 9601.0007 $19.99 “WOW! A DEBUT For more information, ALBUM THAT WILL SET see website. Available TONGUES WAGGING...” in RH Galleries and for –No Depression download at iTunes®. Visit rhmusic.com/dont for a free download of “BEST DISCOVERY” the single “Don’t.” –Glastonbury 2014

ven though they’ve performed side by side In stomping, blues-hued rock songs like “Dandelion” since they were teenagers, sisters Rebecca and “Sugar High,” they conjure the sense of maca - and Megan Lovell, who make up the band bre and mystery so often associated with their an- Larkin Poe, had never written a song together until cestor, the author Edgar Allan Poe, with a dash of they started working on the group’s debut album, wit that is distinctly their own. Kin. It could have been a discordant moment for the The duo has won over early supporters such as independent-minded siblings, but the creative pro- Conor Oberst, who tapped them to join his band cess only confirmed the strength of their bond. for an appearance on “The Late Show With David “I know Rebecca better than anybody,” says Letterman,” and Elvis Costello, who has not only Megan, 25, the lap steel guitarist and Dobro player. toured with Larkin Poe but continues to serve as the “There’s so much communication that happens be- group’s tireless champion, critic and advisor. tween us that is not verbal. When we were writing “They have a head start on the rest of us with together in the studio, the people around us always the unique power and beauty of sibling harmony,” wondered what was going on because there was says Costello. INTRODUCING so little talking.” Rebecca and Megan grew up in Calhoun, Kin represents many beginnings for the Atlanta- Georgia, on acres of open land where they were RH MUSIC RECORDING ARTIST based Larkin Poe, which formed in 2010: the band’s home-schooled in art and dance, took classical vio - first full-length recording; its first with outside produc- lin and piano lessons, sang with the church choir ers Chris Seefried (Fitz and the Tantrums, Lana Del and soaked in the classic rock their dad would Rey) and Damien Lewis (Rihanna, Rita Ora); and their blast in the family car. They formed their first tour - first release, available on CD and vinyl, on RH’s new ing band, the Lovell Sisters, with older sister Jessica music label, RH Music. while they were still teens. “It was about taking a leap of faith and letting go These collective experiences led to the making of of control to people you know are going to bolster Kin. “This project is the truest expression of ourselves,” you up,” says Rebecca, 23, the lead singer and gui- says Megan. “We dedicated so much of our lives to it.” tarist, who also plays mandolin and violin. “It was “It’s all been in that direct line, from the cradle to very challenging.” where we stand – we’ve been raised to work togeth- The payoff is in the music. Larkin Poe’s songs are er and be partners,” Rebecca adds. “I don’t know if I raucous and self-assured, mingling the intimacy of believe in fate but it is interesting to look back and their world with the chaos of the one outside, often see all the things that led us to where we are now.” with towering melodies that sweep up the darkness.

THEY HAVE A HEAD START ON THE REST OF US WITH THE UNIQUE POWER AND BEAUTYOF TWO SISTERS FROM ATLANTA – RAISED ON SIBLING HARMONY.” CLASSICAL MUSIC AND CLASSIC ROCK – ARE MAKING A STIR WITH THEIR NEW ALBUM, KIN. —Elvis Costello THEIR KIN, EDGAR ALLAN POE, WOULD BE PROUD.

WORDS BY AIDIN VAZIRI PORTRAIT BY MARK HUG

Rebecca (left) and Megan Lovell (right) performing in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Photo courtesy Leila Angus.