Despite replacing a guitarist in recent weeks, Downplay's quest to be signed by a label reached a turning point in a nondescript room in New York City.
The room in Studio Instrument Rentals is known throughout the industry as a place where labels audition bands. Representatives from Island and Mercury mingled in the audience of about 30 people.
It's really weird. Basically
they rent a room. ... It's just a room 30 feet by 20 feet and there's an 8-inch stage and the lights are canned lights but they're kind of plain
said Dustin Bates, Downplay's vocalist and an Ohio University graduate student. The alternative rock band released its latest EP, Rise. Fall. Repeat., earlier this year.
But the setting didn't stop label representatives from being impressed.
They called (our lawyer) two hours after our set was done
and I've never seen that happen
so the intensity's there
the heat from the label
guitarist Trevor Connor said. It sounds like they really are interested.
Epic Records has also continued to show interest in the band.
The Columbus-based band makes regular appearances in Athens for live shows and tried to bring that live energy to the sterile studio, after preparing for three or four hours.
We did a little drinking - you gotta at least try to pretend it's like a show
Bates said. And then (the label representatives) come in
there's like 20 of them
and stare at you and are like
