Each week highlights a different musical style, with the genres changing year-to-year based on what style of bands apply. This year, Week 1 starts off with the Alternative / Rock category, with Bomb Bunny, Dracmina, Dr Cycle and Imagine Me King competing.
The next week is Singer-Songwriters (Jan. 23), followed by Hip-Hop / Rap / R&B (Jan. 30); Hard Rock / Metal / Punk (Feb. 6); Americana / Bluegrass / Folk (Feb. 13); and Funk / Jam / Reggae / Ska (Feb. 27).
The goal is to showcase a variety of bands and talent, so hopefully fans discover a new local favorite.
“One thing that sets our version of BOTB apart is that we really want to help boost all the bands participating to the next level,” said Libby Ballengee, one of the organizers of the event. “All bands receive professional photos from Jordan Lynn Freshour, which they are free to use for future show promotion. They also receive lots of social media promotion and the platform to perform in front of a full room and booking agents for local venues. This is a great audition opportunity.”
After the six weeks of playoff rounds, the winner of each round moves onto the finale, held March 8 in the Brightside’s Ballroom.
Each finalist who performs in the finale will receive a video of one of their songs performed live, provided by Sound Valley, which can be used in future electronic press kits. There is also a cash prize, free pizza for rehearsals from Dayton Pizza Factory and other perks.
The grand prize winner — deemed by the judges and audience ballots — gets all of the above, plus an EP recording session with Dayton Sound Studios in Kettering, a spot on Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s summer schedule, free t-shirts from Little Monster Printing and $1000.
Past winners of Dayton Battle of the Bands include the Katawicks (indie-folk-rock), Bohemian Funk (rock n soul), crabswithoutlegs (nine-piece jazz, averse to spaces) and Freakquency (high-energy funk fusion).
As an added benefit to participants this year, DBOTB is partnering with Concert Archives, the social network and diary for music lovers, a database focused on logging set lists and shows. This will also provide bands with aggregated judge’s feedback to improve their live performances.
The DBOTB puts bands in front of a lot of new ears and eyes, which can help musicians quickly build a fanbase.
“The Dayton Battle the Bands is different from any other competition based on the fact that we don’t actually look at it as a competition,” said organizer Ashley Karsten. “Yes, competition is in the name, but it’s also a way to shine a light on local talent in our area. It puts them in front of local promoters, local sound engineers and venues. It gives them an opportunity to network with other bands that they maybe haven’t met. That’s something that’s always cool to see.”
Brandon Berry writes about the Dayton and Southwest Ohio music and art scene. Have a story idea for him? Email branberry100@gmail.com.
HOW TO GO
What: Dayton Battle of the Bands, Week 1
When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 16
Where: Brightside Music & Event Venue, 905 E. 3rd St., Dayton
Cost: $10 adv., $15 door
Tickets: thebrightsidedayton.com
More info: daytonbattleofthebands.com
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