Summertime Sunset

Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the sultry vibes of Larkin Poe’s “Summertime Sunset” from their 2022 album Blood Harmony, and we’ve got some juicy trivia to share. This track, a Southern rock anthem with searing vocals and jangly guitars, was road-tested as early as 2018, with the Lovell sisters refining it over years. Rebecca Lovell revealed in a Premier Guitar interview that the original chorus didn’t cut it, so they rewrote it right before opening for Bob Seger, showcasing their fearless approach to songcraft. The song’s heavy guitar riffs, described as Malcolm Young-worthy by The Arts Desk, pack a punch live, with a lethal backbeat that exploded during their Brooklyn Bowl performance in Philadelphia on March 10, 2023. Its lyrics, dripping with Southern imagery like “sweet cherry pie” and “summertime,” paint a vivid picture of a femme fatale, as noted on ST Lyrics, making it a perfect fit for those sticky summer nights.

The creation of “Summertime Sunset” reflects Larkin Poe’s live energy, as they wrote it with the stage in mind. Megan Lovell, in a Premier Guitar chat, emphasized their goal to craft songs that feel good on tour, a month after writing, capturing the raw connection with fans. The track’s Southern rock swagger, paired with Megan’s lap steel and Rebecca’s soulful vocals, channels the humid, gritty vibe of their Georgia roots, as That Music Magazine praised for its dive-bar jukebox appeal. On Instagram, the band shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of their Blood Harmony tour, where “Summertime Sunset” became a setlist staple, igniting crowds with its explosive energy, like at NYC’s Webster Hall in 2023, where fans toasted with shots during the show, per Melodic Magazine.

Larkin Poe, the roots-rock duo of sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell, kicked off their musical journey in 2005 as teenagers in the Lovell Sisters, a bluegrass-folk trio with their older sister, Jessica. Hailing from north Georgia, they honed their craft with violin lessons via the Suzuki method and reading sheet music, as shared in a Premier Guitar feature. After releasing two independent albums and playing festivals like Bonnaroo, the Lovell Sisters disbanded in 2010. Undeterred, Rebecca and Megan regrouped as Larkin Poe, named after their great-great-great-great-grandfather, a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe, per Wikipedia. They dove into a grittier, electric sound, blending Southern harmonies with heavy riffs, drawing comparisons to the Allman Brothers. Their early EPs in 2010, like Spring and Summer, laid the groundwork for their debut album Kin in 2014, released after signing with RH Music.

The sisters’ big break came with relentless touring and collaborations, including backing T Bone Burnett’s New Basement Tapes project with Elvis Costello and Marcus Mumford in 2014, as noted on Wikipedia. Their 2017 album Peach and 2018’s Venom & Faith, both self-produced under their Tricki-Woo Records label, cemented their status as Southern rock revivalists. Venom & Faith hit #1 on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart and earned a 2020 Grammy nod, while Blood Harmony snagged the 2024 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Now based in Nashville, they’ve built a global following through electrifying live shows and a DIY ethos, as Rebecca told Guitar Girl Magazine, emphasizing their freedom to create music on their own terms.

Stay connected with Larkin Poe across their official channels: their website, Facebook with over 880,000 followers, Instagram for tour updates and studio snaps, and X for real-time fan banter. Zoo Freaks can also join the Larkin Poe Fan Group on Facebook, a lively hub for fans sharing concert pics and setlist debates. For deeper dives, check out fan-run sites like Setlist.fm for song stats or Wild Mercury Rhythm for tour reviews. Keep rocking those Southern vibes, Zoo Freaks!