By Garrett Bonistalli

Twelve bands. Five Nights. One winner. Astor Place Riot is hoping they fit the bill in WKQQ’s Decent Exposure competition.

The Lexington-based band consists of Josh Fletcher (lead vocals, guitar, keys), UK graduates Tim Condo (Drums) and Susan Janis (Electric violin, keys, guitar), and current UK students Jason Majewski (Bass) and Clay Gibson (Guitar, vocals, keys, percussion).

So, how does Astor Place Riot describe their music?

“Most people would hear our music and think ‘alternative rock’ but I think upon further listen you’ll start to pick up all the other elements of folk, blues and even electronic music,” Fletcher said. “We use an electric violin, you don’t see too many bands in our genre that utilize the violin a lot.”

Astor Place Riot, formerly known as Even Numbers, is no stranger to the music scene in Lexington. The band has performed at various local venues including Two Keys, Devassa Bar & Cafe, Natasha’s Bistro and Campus Pub.

Recently, they played a show at Natasha’s Bistro, debuting their recently released “Without Wax” EP. The EP was written, recorded and produced entirely by the band.

“For the most part it went pretty smoothly,” Majewski said. “It was my first production since graduating  recording school (from the Lexington School for Recording Arts) last March.”

Everything began for Astor Place Riot this past summer when their former lead singer left the group.

“We were originally called Even Numbers until Josh  joined,” Majewski said. “We decided it would be best to change the name since we were a whole new project.”

One thing every one of Astor Place Riot’s band members have in common is their extensive musical experience.

Janis has played in several orchestras, including UK Symphony Orchestra, while Fletcher majored in Music Education at Northern Kentucky University. The band cites similar influences for much of their success so far.

“We all pretty much share the same musical influences which makes the songwriting feel natural, songs just seem to come together,” Condo said.

The band will be performing in WKQQ’s Decent Exposure contest at Bar Lexington in round two of a 12-band battle of the bands. Winners are decided by fan voting at the end of each round. If voted into the finals, they will be performing  on St. Patrick’s Day. The winner receives $1,000, future gigs at Bar Lexington and an opportunity to open for a national touring act at the Final Four in Indianapolis.

“This is a great opportunity for us” Majewski said. “We just got finished producing the EP and we’re excited about continuing to showcase it for more people.”

WKQQ’s Decent Exposure contest will be at Bar Lexington on Friday at 10 p.m. The event is 21 and over. Tickets are $6 at the door.