99x is back dominating your radio, and now they are helping to fill up your concert calendar. The popular alternative radio station presents Blue October, Switchfoot, and Ours at the Masquerade Music Park on August 21. Catch these three progressive groups at Masquerade's outdoor amphitheater. Tickets go sale June 12 at Ticketmaster.
May 29, 2009
Just In: Matt and Kim FREE SHOW
Brooklyn's dance/punk duo Matt & Kim are heading back to Atlanta to throw an awesome party to start Fourth of July Weekend. On July 3, Matt & Kim will perform at Opera. Admission is free but you must RSVP here! They will also be joined by A-Trak and MSTRKRFT. Pick up their latest album Grand, and check out their single "Daylight," which is being used in the national ad campaign for Bacardi Mojito.
May 28, 2009
Just In- Pete Yorn at Center Stage
It has just been announced that Pete Yorn will perform at Center Stage on July 17. Tickets are $24 in advance and go on sale tomorrow at noon. Tickets can also be purchased Monday-Friday 11AM to 6PM from the Center Stage box office with no fees. Get tickets!
Also on sale tomorrow at noon are tickets for David Ryan Harris' concert on June 26 at The Loft, and The Charlatans UK concert on October 5 also at The Loft. Get tickets!
Screen on the Green
Tonight kicks off five weeks of great summer movies, well Home Alone is more of a Christmas classic, but they are all enjoyable family films that can be watched again and again. Sponsored by Peachtree TV, Screen on the Green is a free film festival hosted this year in Centennial Olympic Park. Back to the Future starts the festival tonight at sunset. Mixtape will be there and so should you!
May 28 Back to the Future
June 11 Field of Dreams
June 18 Home Alone
June 25 Ghostbusters
Eddie Kirkland CD Release Party Tonight
Atlanta singer/songwriter Eddie Kirkland debuts his new band Brand New Shadows, and their new CD White Flags, at their CD release party tonight at Andrews Upstairs. It will be a historic evening in more ways than one, because it will mark the first time the band has played the songs in the same room together.
“We recorded these songs all over the place,” Kirkland laughs. “We never sat down in a studio together and recorded; we did everything over the internet. So we’re pretty excited to all be together.”
If that way of making a record sounds familiar, it should.
“Yes, we did get the idea from the Postal Service record," explains Kirkland. "I was just going to do this album myself, but I felt like these songs needed a little bit more. And a great friend of mine who’s a fantastic drummer suggested this idea. We were all working at the exact same time, just all working in different places on different tracks."
The album- which, we should mention, is excellent- has some strong similarities to the new generation of “big music” UK bands, including Keane, Doves, and Snow Patrol. It’s music that is not afraid to be grand.
“It’s funny you mention Doves because I just discovered them recently, and I have no idea what rock I’ve been living under to have missed them," says Kirkland. "Keane is definitely a conscious influence; I love their musicality and the layers and textures they create. But I also love the storytelling of Ben Folds, and of people like Billy Joel and Elton John. And Ryan Adams was a big influence as well, in trying to get my head out of piano rock for awhile.”
What can we expect at the CD release party?
“We want to play through these songs as a group and explain the stories behind each one," says Kirkland. "The songs are kind of a document of the last two years of my life, some of the great things and some of the not so great things that have happened.”
The White Flags CD Release Party starts at 8pm. Admission is $15 and includes a copy of the CD as well as a special bonus gift only available tonight. -Michael Dunaway
Mixtape THIS: Lauryn Hill
Today’s artist: Lauryn Hill
Why: She’s everything modern hip-hop wishes it could be. With her work with The Fugees, she proved she was a female who’s rhymes are evidence that hip-hop is not just a man’s world. The Fugees disbanded and Hill embarked on a solo career that showed her soulful side, crooning melodies not unlike Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, and Mary J. Blige.
For the fans of: An intense paradox--witty, flowing lyrics, and melodies with a vocal range that makes you forget it’s not soul from the ‘60’s
Add this song to your Mixtape: “Doo Wop (That Thing)” from 1998's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill -Ben Thompson
May 27, 2009
TONIGHT: Get ready to rock- Reagan style
The Yacht Rock Revue is trading in their signature watercraft for a cigarette boat fit for Sonny Crockett, in order to handle the choppier waves and faster tempo hits of Reagan Rock. The sultans of smooth will push up their blazer sleeves and incorporate more pastels and neon, to kick off the first night of tributes to 1980s signature synthesizer hits in true style. Don't miss the fun on June 18 at Yacht Rock's usual dock- 10 High. Just say Yes!
May 26, 2009
Get ready to chow down and party!
One of Atlanta's favorite music festivals returns for the 13th year. June 27-28, Corndogorama Music Festival is preparing to take over at their new location East Atlanta Village. The initial lineup has just been released and includes some acts you don't want to miss. The Modern Skirts, Club Awesome, and The Empties are just some of the great acts scheduled to perform. Stay tuned to Mixtape Atlanta for additional band additions and updates.
Mixtape THIS: Steely Dan
Today's artist: Steely Dan
Why: This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriting duo of Donald Fagan and Walter Becker brought their brand of jazz rock to the airwaves in the 70's and have continued to strive for perfection ever since. Trumping Eminem at the 2001 Grammy's, they won Album of the Year reminding everyone of their infectious grooves, tight lyrics and musicianship that has lasted for over 3 decades. On 1976's The Royal Scam they added a bit more guitar to their standard piano and horn drenched rock.
For the fans of: Jazz and funk influenced rock
Add this song to your Mixtape: "The Fez" from 1976's The Royal Scam
See Steely Dan live in Atlanta at Chastain Amphitheatre on August 15th. - Jon Atchison
May 25, 2009
Mixtape THIS: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Today's Artist: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Why: Releasing a two cd set today is about as ambitious as this Swedish bands name. With Communion, they deliver 24 tracks packed full of epic guitar riffs and beautiful melodies paying homage to their influences, which range from The Who, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead.
For the fans of: Classic rock, indie rock, brit-pop camps alike
Add this song to your Mixtape: "Fly," a ramped up take on Nick Drake's classic, from 2008's Communion -Jon Atchison
May 22, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend Music Events
If you are not heading to the lake or beach this holiday weekend, don’t feel left out. This weekend, you have the opportunity to check out some great shows that many would be jealous for missing.
Friday. May 22- Catch Eric Hutchinson with Serena Ryder at Vinyl. This show is sold out so try to find a friend with an extra ticket so you don’t miss it.
Mixtape THIS: The National
Today's artist: The National
Why: Having their music prominently featured during President Obama's election campaign and utilized on multiple occasions on hit TV shows like NBC's Chuck, this art-rock band is poised to strike big with their recently announced 5th release sometime in late 2009 or early 2010. In May of 2008, The National released A Skin, A Night a companion movie to their 2007 release. At that time they also released, The Virginia [EP] which was a compilation of rarities, b-sides, demos and live tracks. "Santa Clara" is a standout track from this EP where Matt Berninger proclaims "I don't worry anymore/ Nothing like I did before." Well Matt, after listening to this track, neither do we. Bring on that new album.
For the fans of: Brooding vocals and a fuse of moody/folky rock music that never becomes too loud or too soft
Add this song to your Mixtape: "Santa Clara" from 2008's Virginia [EP]
-Jon Atchison
See The National live in Atlanta at The Tabernacle on May 27.
May 20, 2009
Mixtape THIS: Ponderosa
Today's artist: Ponderosa
Why: It's the best '60s rock and roll since...well...the '60s. With alumni from various Atlanta bands such as Variac and Butch Walker and the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites, these guys are no strangers to writing good music. These locals put on a killer live show, making a Tuesday night at Vinyl feel like watching a Rolling Stones show at the Odeon in '66.
For the fans of: Classic '60s and '70s rock n' roll that's so good, they could be a much less talented group and still make other bands wanna give up.
Add this song to your Mixtape: "Tell Me You Love Me Again," off the upcoming album Moonlight Revival.
Want more than just one song? For a FREE download of Ponderosa's Moonlight Revival EP click here! We've been drooling over this one for awhile.
-Ben Thompson
AFI on YouTube
The American Film Institute, one of America's most praised cinema institutions just went digital. This week AFI launched their very own YouTube page full of great videos from past and current AFI events, including their annual Life Achievement Honorees. New videos will be added each week. Check out AFI's YouTube page and find out more about this great organization that supports new filmmakers as well as preserves some of cinema's most precious treasures.
Live Mix: Butch Walker Rehearsal
Monday night, Atlanta hometown star Butch Walker invited friends and select fans to Avatar Studios for a rehearsal before he and his band hit the road for the second leg of their tour. Walker creatively organized the secret rehearsal show by sending an encrypted email to his fan club members for them to purchase tickets to a "Bradley Glenn Beck Hanson Show;" Bradley Glenn is actually the singer's original first and middle name.
The last time Walker performed in Atlanta, it was before a sold out crowd at Variety Playhouse in March. Although the crowd gathered for this laid-back show was not as packed, Walker joked that is was “the same f*cking show as Variety.” Even if the playlist remained consistent, it was good to see that Walker and his band displayed all the energy they would normally display for a much bigger venue.
The intimate setting also allowed Walker to casually interact with the audience between songs. Walker played many of his live show staples, such as “Uncomfortably Numb,” “The Weight of Her,” and “Maybe It’s Just Me.” He also included several new favorites: “Here Come The…” and “Ponce de Leon Ave.” The latter song had special meaning to the crowd considering that the famed street was only one block away and many gathered were locals.
Walker thanked the crowd many times for giving him and the band the opportunity to rehearse before them. He stressed how important this rehearsal was to them, but it was equally important for the fans. If more artists genuinely appreciated their hometown fans the way Walker has through out the years, they would also be experiencing his same level of success and larger venue audience draw.
Kim BurdgesCheck out some photos from the show here.
May 19, 2009
Wanna be in a music video?
Mixtape Entertainment is casting feature extras for Atlanta pop-rock band Stellate's new hit "Sing, Sing." We are looking for energetic people of all backgrounds between the ages of 18-30. This is a credit only shoot, but food and final copy of the project will be provided. If you are interested please send your headshot and resume to [email protected] by May 27. If you don't have a headshot, please send a current photograph and a list of any performance work. No pervious performance necessary. Film shoot will most likely occur the weekend of May 30.
May 18, 2009
Ready, Set, Go! 48 Hour Film Project
Do you thrive under pressure? How about making a film from start to finish in only 48 hours? Atlanta Film Festival 365 has just announced registration for this year's 48 Hour Film Project. Space is limited and if you register before June 1 discounts are available. The Project takes place over 48 hours starting the weekend of June 26. Premiere screenings will be shown at Landmark Art Cinema June 30- July 1.
