Acclaimed roots-rock duo Larkin Poe has partnered with innovative hybrid orchestra Nu Deco Ensemble for Paint the Roses: Live in Concert — a new album out now that reinterprets Larkin Poe’s music, including their 2020 release Self Made Man and more, through an orchestral lens. Fans can watch the full performance via Facebook here on September 17@ 5pm BST.
American Songwriter premiered the touching fan favorite “Mad As A Hatter” today. Following “Every Bird That Flies” and their version of Bessie Jones’ stomp and clap “Sometimes,” Larkin Poe’s Rebecca Lovell explains: “I wrote ‘Mad As A Hatter’ in memory of our late grandfather. He battled with mental illness in his lifetime and spent the majority of his years undiagnosed. The song has become a touchstone in the Larkin Poe community and sparked countless conversations around the world between people who find resonance in the lyrics. At long last, the stars have aligned through our collaboration with Nu Deco Ensemble, and we are so excited to finally be able to share a deeply meaningful performance of one of our nearest and dearest songs.”
“‘Mad as a Hatter’ is my personal favorite song from our collaboration with Larkin Poe, as well as to have arranged, so it is no surprise to me that it remains one of their most requested works,” Nu Deco Ensemble’s Sam Hyken said. “The combination of the twists and turns of the song’s musical journey combined with the powerful subject matter allows for the orchestra to truly shine and heighten the emotion. We are honored to play a part in helping this special song be released to the public for the very first time.”
“For me, this collaboration and connection we have with Larkin Poe is epitomized by this powerful track,” Nu Deco Ensemble’s Jacomo Bairos said. “We’re humbled and grateful to share with people around the world who may be going through their own personal journey with mental health issues.”
Paint the Roses documents a collaborative, streamed concert by the two artistic groups in December, 2020 at Miami’s North Beach Bandshell. The performance was part of Nu Deco’s 2020-21 virtual and socially-distanced concert season, which featured the ensemble’s genre-bending orchestral music and its powerful first collaboration with Larkin Poe.
