Talk about your sweet opening gigs, Atlanta sister act Larkin Poe will have a hard time finding a better tour mate than the legendary Elvis Costello, who they open for Oct. 4 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
The band, fronted by Rebecca and Megan Lovell, started out as the Lovell Sisters with their sister, Jessica, an act that ran its course in 2009. In their new iteration, the sisters have definitely gone electric, playing a southern-fried style of rock that sounds like heavy Alison Krauss meets Iris Dement.
Here’s how the sisters tackled the Ten Questions gauntlet:
What is your favorite album?
Megan: Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd.
Rebecca: Living with the Law, Chris Whitley.
What is your least favorite song?
“This Is The Song That Never Ends”
What do you enjoy most about being in a band?
Megan: Playing music for a living! The opportunity to get up onstage and share a connection with people of all shapes and sizes. It’s amazing to see so many different parts of the world.
Rebecca: Creative freedom. The art of singing and songwriting has been around since the dawn of enlightened man; to be able to carry on that tradition and walk the righteous way of rock’n’roll is an incredibly satisfying way to live.
What do you hate about being in a band?
Megan: You have to say goodbye to your home and loved ones far too often.
Rebecca: The temptation to be highly critical of yourself as an artist. All the time.
What is your favorite substance (legal or illegal)?
Megan: Cheddar flavored popcorn. It should be illegal.
Rebecca: Patchouli oil.
In what city or town do you love to perform?
We played a sold out show in London at the Borderline a few months ago – having ticket scalpers working the sidewalks out front of the club, for our show, was a rush. We appreciate the support our British fans have shown us.
What city or town did you have your worst gig (and why)?
The worst gigs we’ve ever played are the gigs that we didn’t get to play. We’ve only had to cancel a few shows due to illness, but canceling a show is the worst thing of all.
How do you pay your bills?
We’re proud to be full-time musicians. We pay our bills by being ’21st century artists’… In short: we do just about anything and everything to bring in the dough – touring, recording, writing, you name it.
What one profession other than music would you like to attempt; what one profession would you absolutely hate to do?
Megan: I’d be a professional stunt double. I’d hate to work in a slaughterhouse.
Rebecca: I’d be a crystal-gazing clairvoyant. I’d hate to be a competitive eater.
What are the stories you’ve heard about Omaha, Nebraska?
We’ve made our own stories in Omaha with native son, Conor Oberst. We’ve spent a couple pleasant nights at his place, Pageturners Lounge, listening to friends perform or playing songs of our own!
Larkin Poe opens for Elvis Costello Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th & Douglas Streets. Tickets range from $46.25 to $126.25. Showtime is 7 p.m. For more information, go to ticketomaha.com