Miss May I’s Levi Benton Is Good at Juggling Two Careers

As if it isn't enough to be the frontman for one of the country's hottest metalcore bands, Miss May I's Levin Benton also find time to sit atop his own mini-clothing empire - Vursa Limited.

As he states on the company web site: "The idea began a long time ago. Not the idea for a clothing company but the idea to express myself. Ever since I could remember I wanted to do something out of the normal day persons life and I was raised knowing I could be anything I want. Now I find myself in the international touring metalcore band Miss May I. But before this I found myself interested in art and thinking outside the box. I always worked on ideas and always had a sense of style different from others.

Whether it be crazy colored hair or a ridiculous amount of layers I always seemed different. Wanting to pursue this I started to look for a art college in Ohio and started lining myself up for my future. But getting signed in high school and on my way to becoming a college student definitely wasn't in my plans. So after I graduated high school I began touring the world and put my art interest on the back burner.

But after seeing the world and all the culture I was missing out on I couldn't hold it back any longer. So winter of 2010 I created this idea to have a line that was a blend of all the culture and fashion I have seen around the world along with my own little spin on things."

As Benton told Noisecreep during a chat in Florida where the band was making a stop on the No Guts, No Glory tour, co-headlining with Pierce the Veil, sometimes it gets a little crazy
overseeing his company. Miss May I's most recent album, 2010's 'Monument,' was a big success and helped the Troy, Ohio band became one of Rise Records' hottest artists.

"I'll be going on stage and there will be a conference call happening or something," he laughed - "So I do end up juggling quite a bit. But it's cool. I love designing the clothing and I stay really involved with everything as far as how things are made, customer service - everything. And my girlfriend is amazing with everything, too, she helps a great deal - we're having a lot of fun."

No doubt things will be even busier for the band who will be joining some high profile tours in 2012 after working on a new album in January. But Benton will also stay focused on Vursa Limited.

"I feel really lucky to be able to do all that I'm doing. The clothing is a real nice extension from the music."