Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Background information
Origin	Waitsfield, Vermont, U.S.
Genres	Roots rock, blues rock, hard rock, folk rock
Years active	2002 (2002)–present
Labels	Hollywood
Website	www.gracepotter.com
Members	Grace Potter Matt Burr Benny Yurco Scott Tournet Michael Libramento
Past members	Bryan Dondero Catherine Popper

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is an American rock band from Vermont, formed in 2002 in Waitsfield by drummer Matt Burr, guitarist Scott Tournet, and singer Grace Potter. They began their career as an indie band, self-producing their albums and touring extensively in the jam bands and music festivals circuit, playing as many as 200 gigs in a year. In 2005 they signed for Hollywood Records; they have published four studio albums, encompassing rock subgenres such as blues rock, folk rock, hard rock, and alternative rock. Their third, self-titled album (2010) has been a major commercial success, topping iTunes charts and receiving international attention.

The band is fronted by lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter (born June 20, 1983), who is known for her vocal qualities—evocative of blues rock singers like Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, or Koko Taylor—as well as for her vibrant energy on stage. Besides playing with the Nocturnals, Potter has also released solo material and collaborated with other artists including Kenny Chesney and The Rolling Stones.

The current lineup of the Nocturnals includes Grace Potter, Matt Burr and guitarist Benny Yurco.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' lead vocalist is multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter, who attended Harwood Union High School before going on to St. Lawrence University for two years until she ultimately dropped out to pursue music professionally. In addition to lead vocals, Potter plays Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer Electric Piano and electric (including the Gibson Flying V) and acoustic guitars. The other members of the band are Scott Tournet, on guitars (including slide guitar) and harmonica, drummer and also Potter's husband Matthew Burr, Michael Libramento on bass guitar and keyboards, and Benny Yurco on electric guitar and vocals. Bryan Dondero played bass guitar, upright bass, and mandolin with the group until his departure in early 2009.