There’s a first time for everything, and for Norcio, a local progressive alternative rock band, this first time was sweeter than most. The band appeared for the first time at this year’s Voodoo Music Experience, playing in the 11:30 a.m. slot Friday, Oct. 24, and performed fan favorites like “Played Your Fool” and “Halfway to Somewhere.””It was pretty overwhelming,” said Adam Garcia, lead guitarist. “It was a lot to take in. Voodoo Fest really makes us feel like we can go all the way with this.”Joshua Quinn, general studies junior and bassist, said he was “pretty nervous” for the performance.”It was stressful, but we feel like we’ve really accomplished something,” Quinn said.Norcio got its opportunity to play at Voodoo Music Experience after Echelon, the band slated to play at the time, dropped out.”We had already contacted the people from Voodoo Fest,” Garcia said. “They told us they were booked. But then one day, we got an e-mail saying a spot was open. Man, we got excited. Everybody got excited.”Norcio has been performing together for nearly three years and the four band members, including Conner Ridgeway, drums, and Joe Henry, vocals, have performed everywhere in Baton Rouge including the Caterie, the Roux House and the Dark Room.The band got its start when Garcia and members of his former band, Fondling Amber, wanted to try something new, and after a few unsuccessful performances became a local favorite.”Our first show was at the Caterie,” Garcia said. “We had gotten together only two weeks before, and we weren’t that great. We were trying to finish writing songs to play and didn’t get done in time. But we’ve come a long way from there.”Quinn and Garcia both said friends and family have supported Norcio with their work, though some weren’t so quick to approve.”My dad was a little reluctant at first,” Quinn said. “But after he came out to one of our shows and saw me play. He said I was pretty good and ever since supports us more now.””Our friends were always there to support us,” Garcia said. “But my mom is really the one who gave me my start. She bought me my first guitar and has been right behind me through everything.”Quinn said Norcio’s biggest musical influences stem from rock bands like Coheed and Cambria and Iron Maiden.”Those bands have really got the feel and sound we’re looking for as a band,” Quinn said. “We really get a lot out of their albums.”Norcio released their first album, “Far From Flatlining,” about three weeks ago. It costs $10 and will be released through iTunes soon.Garcia said the band is using the trip to Voodoo Music Experience as a stepping stone to bigger things like their upcoming tour to several states including Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia, Illinois and Tennessee this winter.”Even now . . . we’re still riding that buzz,” Garcia said. “Our crowds are bigger. We’ve got more support. We’ve even got a Norcio van now. We’re on our way to taking it big time.”—-Contact Abraham Felix at [email protected]