When a group of musicians with wildly different tastes get together, you get Potroast, a band comprised of TRU students. The band was formed in the spring of 2025 when pianist Marvellous Ifezue asked singer Nicole Fernandez to jam after a karaoke event, with the hopes of starting a band. Since then, the group has formed and goes by the name Potroast. The group has eight active members and features a wide range of instruments, from guitars to violins and talkboxes.
The name Potroast came from a former member who, during rehearsal, remarked, “Some pot roast would slap right now.” Another member said that it would make a good band name, and as they had yet to choose one, it was used for the first performance. Originally, it was meant to be a temporary placeholder that the band had planned to change at some point; however, nothing else has resonated quite as well.
Although they’ve been practicing writing original songs, their shows are composed of covers, featuring a wide variety of genres, which affords each member the opportunity to reflect their personal musical influences.
“We’ve come to learn that potroast signifies our musical taste. We’ve all got diverse musical tastes, and we try to make it work,” Fernandez said.
They use a shared playlist–which is now over four hours long–to keep track of songs each member is interested in playing. Building setlists for performances comes very naturally, and if someone is really passionate about a song, everyone will go along with it. Even when playing covers, the band takes creative liberties with their renditions, giving songs of all genres a rock sound.
The most significant improvement they’ve noticed has been in finding their sound and getting the instruments to play cohesively. Early on, with up to eight instruments and each person playing across the entire frequency spectrum, the sound came across as muddled. By assigning each instrument to a specific range, such as having the violin play only the high range, it isolates different sounds and allows each instrument to shine. Another technical challenge when playing live is that each member cannot hear themselves through the speakers while performing. To combat this, they use in-ear monitors that block external noise and let them hear the audio mix clearly.
But the greatest challenge faced by Potroast, they say, is simply finding locations and time to practice. Practices are held at least once per week, but ideally up to three times per week, as multiple shorter rehearsals are better for memory retention. Finding a practice space is a hassle because of all the equipment that has to be moved around, such as the drums, an audio mixer, and a piano. It’s not just a matter of space; as some might imagine, it’s also challenging to find a space where noise is isolated and doesn’t disturb others.
What makes this band special is the genuine camaraderie they share. Guitarist Austin Husa said, “The thing that’s changed the most is just getting to know each other and becoming friends, that’s what I look forward to now about coming together.”
Even if no upcoming shows are planned, they still get together to practice. As the band’s technique strengthens, so does the bond between bandmates.
On Jan. 22, Potroast and the TRUSU Comedy Club will be hosting an event in The Den. Snacks and a happy hour menu will be served while you enjoy an evening of music and stand-up comedy. Ticket prices are to be announced. To stay updated on the event and other Potroast shows, follow them on Instagram at @potroastband.