Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Timelessly Modern

With a soulful, bluesy voice that draws frequent comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, Grace Potter and her band The Nocturnals appear to be on the cusp of wider exposure. Authentic and original, the quartet's rootsy sound has won it fans in its native Vermont and beyond.

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Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

The band formed in 2002 when its members met at St. Lawrence University in New York, and immediately began writing songs in earnest. Recorded with Chuck Eller in Vermont, the band's debut album, Original Soul, was released in 2004 to positive reviews. Subsequent touring found the group opening shows for the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio and Derek Trucks. Continuing in the bluesy roots-rock vein of Potter's debut, 2006's Nothing but the Water puts guitarist Scott Tournet's resonator guitar leads and Potter's keyboard and vocal work front and center.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals just released This Is Somewhere, an ambitious and fully realized major-label debut. Equal parts Tom Petty and Wilco, the disc sounds both timeless and modern. In this segment, Potter gives an in-studio performance and talks to David Dye about her album's title and cover art, as well as her record collection.