Bluephoria

The song "Bluephoria" by Larkin Poe from their album Bloom is a vibrant exploration of the human experience, blending euphoria with the blues. The track, inspired by the legendary Memphis bluesman Furry Lewis, captures a duality where joy and suffering intertwine. In a Relix interview, Rebecca Lovell shared that the song’s second verse draws from Lewis’ quote, “Now I know I ain’t a star, but I sure might be a moon,” which resonated deeply with Megan Lovell, who identifies with its introspective tone as the quieter sister in the duo. The sisters crafted the song to reflect a “euphoric sense of sorrow,” a concept sparked by their fascination with Joni Mitchell’s critical song “Furry Sings the Blues,” which referenced Lewis and led Rebecca down an internet rabbit hole to uncover his reaction to it.

On social media, Larkin Poe’s X account described “Bluephoria” as a “meditation on the duality of the human experience,” emphasizing the quiet space where “the bitter and the sweet twine together.” The music video, filmed in The Blue Room at Nashville’s Third Man Records, leans into this theme with a vivid blue aesthetic, as noted in a July 2024 post where the band jokingly called blue their “main personality trait.” Fans on Reddit praised the song’s organ-driven sound and its nod to the band’s roots rock signature, with some speculating it would shine in live performances due to its call-and-response structure. The track’s raw energy and Rebecca’s searing guitar solo make it a standout, as highlighted by Montreal Rocks, which called it a “powerhouse” that demands repeat listens.

Larkin Poe, the GRAMMY-winning sister duo of Rebecca and Megan Lovell, began their musical journey as The Lovell Sisters, a bluegrass-folk act formed in the mid-2000s with their older sister Jessica. Hailing from North Georgia, the sisters honed their chops in string band circles, winning songwriting contests and appearing on Prairie Home Companion. After Jessica left, Rebecca and Megan rebranded as Larkin Poe in 2010, named after their great-great-great-grandfather, a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe. Their shift to a grittier, blues-rock sound was a bold reinvention, as noted in a Bluegrass Situation feature, which described their transformation into an “Americana-meets-blues-meets-Southern rock phenomenon.” Their debut album, Kin, released in 2014, marked the start of their rise, with subsequent albums like Venom & Faith and Blood Harmony topping Billboard’s blues charts.

The Lovell sisters’ perseverance through early skepticism in bluegrass circles, where they were sometimes dismissed as a novelty act, fueled their fierce independence. Nashville Scene noted their “outlaw-styled disaffection” for industry trappings, which shines through in their music and self-assured personas. Today, they boast a robust following, with nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and over 9 million listeners reached via playlists, according to Event Tickets Center. Fans, or “Zoo Freaks” in the spirit of your radio station, can connect via the official Larkin Poe Facebook page, where updates on tours and releases are shared, or join fan-driven communities like the Larkin Poe Fans Facebook group, a hub for enthusiasts to discuss the band’s music and live shows.

For more on Larkin Poe, visit their official website for tour dates, merchandise, and exclusive vinyl pre-orders. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of their creative process. Fan sites like The Bluegrass Situation offer deep dives into their discography, while the r/CountryMusicStuff subreddit hosts lively discussions about their albums, including Bloom. Whether spinning “Bluephoria” at THE ZOO or diving into their catalog, the Lovell sisters’ authentic storytelling and electrifying riffs are sure to captivate Zoo Freaks everywhere.