Performing in front of people has never been a problem for Grace Potter. "Being on stage is like getting and giving a deep tissue massage all at once," she says. "I've never found it difficult to perform, be loud, and say what I think." Grace and her band, the Nocturnals, describe themselves as a "spirited and inventive blend of blues, Americana and rock n' roll." The band began at St. Lawrence in the fall of 2002, when Grace met Matt Burr, drummer and percussionist in the band. Their sounds came together and they began to create original material. Then Scott Tournet, now the lead guitarist who also plays the harmonica and sings, entered the picture in the fall of 2003. They recorded their debut album, Original Soul, in 2003 while they were still attending St. Lawrence. When the group returned to Vermont in 2004, bassist Bryan Dondero joined the group and helped make the band as successful as it is today. Grace likes using the microphone to tell the world her story. "Our lyrics are inspired by mostly stuff out of daily life; looking at a current situation and trying to put it to poetry," she says. "It's one of the most challenging things a songwriter can do, but it makes the words matter more when it's based on your own reality. "Being at St. Lawrence helped me hone in on what I was most excited about, which turned out to be music," Grace says. "I played a lot as a solo performer before I arrived at St. Lawrence, but when I met [Burr, Tournet and Dondero], it taught me how truly exciting being on stage with a band can be. I credit the coffee house for many of those magical evenings." Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have played in shows all over the country, with big names like Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, and Trey Anastasio. What does she hope for in the future? "I want to put out a great American rock and roll album," she says. "Music can make a difference in the world, and I want to be a part of that revolution."