Found in the Inbox: Versus Step Out of “Life in the Shade

Before they were Versus, they were Lakeview Drive: six years on the road, four records and shared stages with acts from Ryan Cabrera and Rookie of the Year to Ionia, For All Those Sleeping and Capture the Crown. The Rive Video Promotion campaign for “Life in the Shade” let the band tell the rest in its own words.

A new name

At the end of 2014 the band began working with Mike Mowery of Outerloop Management. “After dealing with the industry fog from Lakeview Drive, we and Outerloop mutually agreed that the best possible move for the future was a rebranding of sorts,” the band writes. “Thus, we became known as ‘Versus’.”

Into the studio with Casey Bates

Straight after, Versus recorded with veteran engineer Casey Bates, known for Memphis May Fire, Chiodos, Pierce the Veil and A Skylit Drive. The result was the debut album The Black, followed by a March 2016 tour with Set to Stun, It Lives It Breathes, XXI and Affiance on Affiance’s GAIA EP release run. “We are motivated. We are inspired. We are Versus.”

Why it was in the inbox

A rebrand after six years is a gamble. “Life in the Shade” is the sound of a band betting on itself.

Watch the official video

Quotes and release details from Rive Video Promotion’s campaign for “Life in the Shade.” This feature updates Exposed Vocals’ March 2016 post; the December 2015 post on the same video is unchanged.