NOISE ADR IEN B R OOM
PATH TO GREATER DIGNITY Grace Potter climbs a high hill on her way to a new album STEPHEN FOSTER Grace Potter has been turning out seductive classic rock tunes for the past seven years, evolving from a modest hippie songstress into a sultry, Flying-V electric guitar-wielding rock goddess along the way. Her latest triumph, carried out last month with the aid of her immensely talented band, The Nocturnals, was conquering prime time television on VH1’s Divas Salute the Troops special. While top-billed acts and traded in their looser jam band leanings such as Katy Perry relied on spectacle and for sleek production and tightly packaged, auto-tune to impress the throngs of soldiers efficient rock songs. in the audience, Potter and band downright “The big change on [Grace Potter and lit up the stage the old-fashioned way: pure, the Nocturnals] was the band lineup. Havunadulterated rock ’n’ roll. ing an extra member helps to create a new “There’s something about rock ’n’ roll dynamic, not just personally but musically,” that deserves to be front and center in the said Potter, referring to the addition of world of soldiers,” said Potter. “I’d like to rhythm guitarist Benny Yurco in 2009. think that they love rock. I doubt they’re “We tracked this record with greater ease. going to listen to candy-coated pop before We didn’t think so hard about it, and we going into combat. I can only assume that didn’t worry ourselves with over-manipulatit’s Led Zeppelin, The Who, that type of ing every single tiny tone. We just sort of went music that takes them into battle.” Potter’s statement is indicative of her belief for it. Otherwise, at times, the studio can feel a little bit like brain surgery,” she added. that rock music can function as a powerful Another difference on that album is force. And nowhere is this belief more apparthat Potter co-wrote six of the songs with ent then when she’s on stage with her band, renowned producer Mark Batson (Eminem, which Boise audiences will get to see when Jay-Z, Dave Matthew’s Band). Grace Potter and The Nocturnals perform “The co-writing process definitely made in town on Saturday, Jan. 22, at both the a big presence on this record. I think those Record Exchange and the Knitting Factory. “It’s all about the live show,” said Potter. [songs] mostly help to kick things up a notch. With this particular record we were going “You can listen to the record, but it’s not with a more up-tempo, sexually charged until you’ve seen our show that you know what this band is all about. Being out on the sound. I already had the foundation with ‘Paris,’ ‘Goodbye Kiss,’ road has taught us to ‘One Short Night’ and be seasoned veterans, a few others. So I kind how to play in difof knew what vibe I ferent venues, put on Grace Potter and The Nocturnals with Chamberlin. Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., wanted. Working with a quality production $16.50-$35. Mark, he knows how and how to one up KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE to flesh things out in a each show. We’re re416 S. Ninth St. style that I’m not used ally excited about this bo.knittingfactory.com to. It really stretched next tour.” my capabilities and The building how I approach a blocks for Potter’s song,” said Potter. songs have always The big name producer and swanky been the same. Thick guitar riffs, savvy B3 recording studio came courtesy of Disneyorgan lines, a steady rhythm section and sassy, light-hearted lyrics smoothly combine owned Hollywood Records, which the band signed with in late 2005. Potter said that blues, country and gospel. The centerpiece working with the big guys isn’t bad at all. of it all is Potter’s huge, impenetrable voice. “I know it’s not cool to say cool things On their last album, Grace Potter and the about your record company, but it’s really Nocturnals, the band cranked up the sex WWW. B OISEWEEKLY.C O M
Amazing Grace Potter.
been such an incredible collaboration. Growing up, I was a Disney child. I grew up with the Little Mermaid and Cinderella, and those kinds of characters and movies played a part in making me want to be a singer,” said Potter. “Our management totally understands that we’re a real rock ’n’ roll band. It’s not a formula. We’re not drawn from some casting agency. We come from the mountains in Vermont.” Since Potter’s days as a startup musician living in Vermont, she’s undergone quite the image renovation, transforming from a T-shirt and jeans type of gal into a scantily clad—but nonetheless appealing—rock ’n’ roll sex symbol. It seems that with each new album, Potter’s legs get a little longer. “Contrary to popular belief, that is all me,” said Potter, referencing rumors that her increased sexiness is some sort of marketing gimmick. “I’ve always wanted to be the girl that flipped my hair around and wore cute dresses on the center stage, but it took me a long time to get their musically. Once my confidence grew and I was able to conquer my musical fears, it was time to hike up the skirt. “When I go home some my friends expect this Hollywood monster. They see the long hair and the makeup and the short skirt. But if you spend two minutes with me you figure out nothing has changed whatsoever,”she said. Backtracking, Potter noted a recent New Year’s revelation. “I was at the New Year’s party my family has every year, and my friend I haven’t seen since seventh grade told me that I haven’t changed one bit, except for one thing: I have dignity now. I thought that was really poignant and mostly true. I have a greater level of dignity now. I don’t tell as many poop jokes anymore.”
BOISEweekly | JANUARY 19–25, 2011 | 21