Acoustic Duo “Flip Side” have only been together a year, but they are already making waves around Griswold and the surrounding communities. John Cadarette and Derek Ventilato are the men behind the acoustic musical repertoire.

Having recently competed in the “Catch a Rising Star” talent show, the duo is actively getting their music out through performance and press kits. Learning about the competition through friends, Cadarette and Ventilato dusted off a 20-year-old song written by Ventilato . “I have an extensive writing background from college,” said Ventilato.

To enter the competition, the men needed to create a DVD of themselves. “It was the longest weekend of our lives,” said Ventilato. They had to do several takes to create the best audition video. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” said Cadarette. The video secured their spot as one of the 15 selected bands in the competition.

Both men put new life into the song, making it their own. “That Ain’t Love” did not place the duo in the competition, but it did get favorable reviews from judges and audience members alike. Winning was never the end goal said Cadarette. “It was more important to enjoy the performance aspect of it, rather than the contest,” said Cadarette.

“Flip Side” focuses on developing harmonies to almost any song imaginable . “We’ll do any genre, if we can translate it,” said Ventilato. But the band would like to stick to their acoustic sound. Covering hits from artists like Britney Spears, the Beatles and Match Box 20, the group actually enjoys rehearsal time. “Reahearsals are fun, which is scary,” said Cadarette,“ ’cause rehearsals are usually torturous [for bands].”

Cadarette and Ventilato are not newcomers to performing live or with a band. According to Cadarette, both men knew of each other from previous bands they were a part of. Past bands and performances is how Ventilato secures venues for “Flip Side.” “We rely on reputation,” he said. A reputation for quality performances and connections gives the full-time employed men an edge over other local bands.

The band does not expect the audience to sit during shows. According to Ventilato, the duo hopes people have the feel of sitting around the campfire with two friends who play guitar.

“Flip Side” welcomes audience banter , song requests and challenges them to musical trivia. Winners of the trivia get a drink of their choice on the duo. “How many places can you go where the band is gonna offer to buy you a drink?” said Ventilato.

“We’re too old to be rockstars,” said Ventilato, “we’re the anti-rockstars .” Cadarette feels the same. “As long as people have fun, that’s success,” he said. Learn more about “Flip Side” at www. unplugyourrock.com.