Potoroo

((Bio as written for Potoroo's current performances in Toronto))

The Kangaroo is known for its incredible ability to leap to extraordinary heights. Much like the animal, Toronto’s own Roo aims to achieve the same goal.

Born in Erin, Ontario, Roo has been involved in the arts for most of his life; from theatre, to cartooning, to music, and has successfully developed a loyal following. After graduating from University as a Theatre major, he went on to perform in over 25 plays, direct 5, and even wrote one, ‘Nightwalks,’ which was successfully produced. His time as a cartoonist led way to publishing, and from 2002 until 2005 he had a popular webcomic, ‘I.D.D.’

The music career of Roo began in high school, where he nurtured his talents with experimental music, alongside Mother Jason, formerly one of the ‘Rats’. This time was followed by his first band, known as ‘ The Overgrown Spatulas’, whom with which he recorded two cassettes, with only one successfully making a release. The band went through a period of change, and reemerged as ‘Brillohead’, with Roo on bass guitar. They went on to perform all over southern Ontario, at venues that include Lees Palace, and The El Mocambo. After the bands break-up in 1996, Roo turned to theatre and left his music on hiatus for nearly seven years.

Roo returned to the music stage in 2003, under the name LHR, and traveled south to Philadelphia to busk for Charity. Finding that his love for music had rekindled, he released his first CD, entitled ‘One Man Boy Band’ in 2004. Just over a year later, Roo stepped away from the Chaos musical genre, and released his second CD, entitled ‘ACEP’, which became his first step towards his current ‘Folky’ feel.

In 2006, Roo released his most recent CD, ‘Scratch’, a 31- track collection of his former bands, as well as a number of solo compositions. From there he went on to tour the United States, performing in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Currently Roo has returned to the studio in hopes to release his brand-new single, ‘Step on my head’. With a new website in the making, and a performance at the Bread and Circus in Toronto on April 1st, this kangaroo is set to reach new heights.