Navigating a local music scene as a band can be intimidating and challenging, but Dayton band Paid Leave are finding their place on stage. Since competing and taking home the win at the 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands, Paid Leave has earned their spot in the scene, but vocalist and guitarist Brack Barrett says that the competition wasn’t easy on the nerves.
“I was getting all sick and twisted in my stomach leading up to them and stuff, playing big room, playing t a lot of people, meeting a lot of different bands. There’s a lot eyes on you all at once. It can be a lot, but overall it was a great time.”
Now the band is settling into the community and making connections with other local musicians. Bringing in new friends to perform with the band has been a gift says Barrett…