The group was thrilled to have made it through to the top 30, and now they find themselves in the top 15.
"It's a very different kind of happiness," said Levandusky. "It's great, but it's not time to party. Our sights are set on winning this whole thing, or at least making it to the top six."
After being asked to provide a detailed business plan which took well over 30 hours to complete, the band was notified on July 4 that they had advanced yet again to Round 3 of the competition.
Having no real background in business, Lavendusky said he was "relieved" to hear they'd made the top 15. "It's like a crazy thesis that you needed to complete in school," he explains. "You really look forward to getting a favourable review, and in this case is looks like it's paid off."
Originally performing among 75 other bands, Nothing rose to the top of the pack but is still aware of the competition they face. "We're against a lot of bands that have made it to the final rounds of the Big Money Shot before," said Levandusky. "We're in a totally different league now."
Moving forward the band will have to face new challenges to keep advancing in the contest. "The top 15 bands will now have to go through some intense interactions with industry professionals," said operations manager for Live 88.5, Lee Wagner.
Wagner explains that bands will be meeting with music professionals from all over Canada, including Toronto and Vancouver. Musicians will get one on one lessons with vocal coaches, promotion coordinators and photographers. They will also "road-trip" to Toronto to record an original song which will later air on the radio.
Voting will take place and all 15 bands will perform in a concert on the main stage at the Live Lounge in the ByWard Market. There they will be judged on criteria like stage presence, vocals and connecting with fans, before the top six advance to the next round.
Levandusky says the band is focused on polishing their product, upping their rehearsals and scheduling more live performances to aid with practice.
"We've all made sacrifices," he said. "It's all business and no play right now."
