Grace Potter the Nocturnals prep for NC shows NC TOUR DATES Oct. 16: Asheville Oct. 17: Charlotte by Clay Howard In the music business, back in the Golden Era, there existed a working business model: Release a record and tour incessantly to promote it; get on festival bills; get opening slots on big tours; pick up gigs on days off, anything it takes. Just work your ass off and promote the music you love enough to put on wax. This old model is making a comeback in today s broken music industry.

Last December, I took my wife to Asheville to the 20 th annual Warren Haynes Xmas Jam. I was going to see Jackson Browne and Peter Frampton and really could care less who else was on the bill little did I know. The first band to hit the stage was Grace Potter the Nocturnals. From the first song I was hooked. Young, eager and honestly thrilled to be playing, the four-piece band fronted by 24-year-old vocalist/guitarist/organist Grace Potter worked the old model on me.

I was on iTunes the next day, buying their latest release, This is Somewhere. Sure, Frampton was great. And Jackson Browne was well, Jackson Browne. But the first act on the bill, Grace Potter the Nocturnals, are the band that hooked me. This is Somewhere has been the most played album in my music library this year, filled with rock anthems and introspective ballads both. Potter s vocals, which have been compared to Bonnie Raitt, have that earthy realism absent in the majority of today s music.

Clay Howard: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Grace Potter: Oh, of course, absolutely. CH:I have to tell you, in preparing for this interview, I realized that your CD, This is Somewhere, was played more than any other music in my iTunes library this past year. GP: Really, that is awesome. I love hearing that stuff.