Once Potter landed in the state's capital, the singer-songwriter spent several years playing shows while still flavoring his own brew of alternative country and rootsy rock and roll. Potter gleaned ingredients from his stretches in journalism, romance, Southern living and Saturday night rambling, crafting them into songs about hard-luck nights on the town, ghost stories from murky backwaters, and the hardscrabble of life. Whether alone with an acoustic guitar and harmonica or backed by friends with assorted talents and electric instruments, his brand of three-chord storytelling pours heartbreak, hard work and humor together into a rocks glass.

APPARITIONS is Jake Potter's debut EP. Produced with guitarist and pedal steel stringer Clay Conner in Durham, N.C., the record — released in October 2022 — features hardy backline performances from Charlie Hunter and George Sluppick (JJ Grey & Mofro, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood) and mixing from Chris Boerner (Hiss Golden Messenger).

The band:

Jake Potter (vocals, guitar)

Joel Vance (drums, vocals)

Dave Minella (bass)

Clay Conner (guitar, pedal steel, lap steel)