Mixtape Atlanta

Holding Out for a Hero

Tonight 4th Ward Heroes and Jamie Marx are presenting the first in a new music series called Heroic Efforts. On the 4th Thursday of every month, Heroic Efforts will showcase a free- yes, free- show at Star Bar with some great music acts performing and raising awareness and money for a charity in need. The first featured charity is War Child USA, which helps children effected by war. Judi Chicago, Kid Stuff, and Roman Photos will be performing while DJs Jeff Myers and AustinIsNoRobot will spin throughout the night. Limited edition Jamie Marx t-shirts, band merchandise, and raffles will be available for purchase, which will benefit War Child USA. The event is 21+ and doors are at 9PM.

The Return of Gordon Gekko

It has been over 23 years since Oliver Stone first introduced the world to Gordon Gekko. The role of Gekko earned Michael Douglas an Oscar for Best Actor, created one of cinema's most notorious villains, and introduced the phrase "Greed is Good" into America's lexicon. This Spring, Stone is taking movie goers back to New York's famed financial district and the dangerous world of high stakes trading with Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. The film is slated to hit theaters on April 23 with original cast members Douglas and Charlie Sheen resuming their roles as well as new players including Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Susan Sarandon, and Frank Langella. Check out the just released trailer here!

Go Team Luis!

This Friday, January 29 Star Bar will be transformed into a party cantina for Team Luis One Year Anniversary fiesta. Mixtape Atlanta is excited to be a sponsor honoring one of Atlanta's most popular and favorite promoters and managers. Expect a night full of fun, mayhem, and dynamic musical acts. Young Orchids, Futureshock, and The Lord is My Shotgun are scheduled to perform, DJ C.Lark will be spinning, and some special surprise guests are sure to join in on the night's fun. Also be sure to stumble downstairs to Mixtape Atlanta's special Team Luis Anniversary themed photo booth for some fun photos!

Death On Two Wheels Get Violent at Sundance

Atlanta's own Death On Two Wheels is attracting national attention at the 26th Sundance Film Festival! Two of their songs are being featured in The Violent Kind, brought to you by The Butcher Brothers and the producers of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween. Also, because the guys in DO2W are so generous.... they want to share the songs from the movie with YOU! Click here to download Calling Us All Back Home and Two Dollar Bills for FREE and if you make it out to Sundance, be sure to see The Violent Kind playing next week and let us know your thoughts!  

Walk the Red Carpet into 'That Evening Sun'

You don't have to live in New York or Los Angeles to go to star-studded film openings and party with actors and rock stars.  You can do all that right here in Atlanta this Friday night, and see one of the best films of 2009 too.

Director Scott Teems will be in town to introduce his jewel of a film That Evening Sun at its Atlanta gala premiere the night of January 22 at the Tara Cinema. Following the screening, Teems' will take the stage with star Ray McKinnon and Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood to answer questions about the film.  When the Q&A wraps, you can celebrate with Scott, Ray, Patterson, and other luminaries at W Midtown's Whiskey Park for the afterparty.  Your ticket stub even gets you a free drink!

The film is the first lead performance in Hal Holbrook's storied career, and he's getting deserved Oscar buzz for it.  Hood's song "Depression Era" is also on the short list for an Academy Award nomination.  The cast and crew boast an impressive number of native Georgians, including Teems, Hood, McKinnon, Walton Goggins, Carrie Preston, and others.

The afterparty is hosted by Paste Magazine, which named That Evening Sun its fourth top film of 2009.  You can read their review of the film here.

Screening: Friday January 22, 7:00 PM, Tara Cinema, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
tickets here; more info here
Afterparty: Friday January 22, 10:00 PM, Whiskey Park, W Hotel Midtown, 188 14th Street NE
no ticket required; more info here

Budding Artists

You may not be familiar with the band name Young Orchids, but you have more than likely seen these talented musicians before. Since they started playing live together last spring, Young Orchids has created an unique buzz about them based on their seasoned members, ties to the popular band Ski Club, and the bills they have shared with such artists as James Hall, Gringo Star, The Judies, and others. Wednesday, January 20 Young Orchids headline their first show with Sequoyah Prep School and Parachute Musical at Drunken Unicorn. Mixtape Atlanta recently spoke with Young Orchids’ Michael Kai about the band, what’s ahead for 2010, and where their distinctive songs get their spunk.

Where did the concept for Young Orchids come from?

Kyle [Gordon] and I started writing songs together after I was invited to join Ski Club. After Ski Club broke up, we decided to start a new band using all the songs we had been writing.

How does this band differ (or does it) from other bands you've been involved with, especially Ski Club?

I think they are similar in that both bands are just trying to write good songs in hopes that people connect with them. I think where they differ is in execution. Different songwriters, different influences, different musicians.

When writing music and lyrics for Young Orchids are you drawing from a particular inspiration? Are you trying to develop a different sound than before?

I usually think of this band as being in the same vein as T. Rex, The Stooges, stuff like that. Then again, we've covered songs by The Dead Weather and have songs that sound like Yeah Yeah Yeahs to me, so there are definitely some modern elements mixed in as well.

Where did the band name come from?

Actually, a friend of ours came up with it. We asked if we could use it, and he said yes.

How has the response been so far from the shows you've played so far?

It's been amazing. Our first show was in May of [2009], and I think with every show we get a little better, a little more comfortable with ourselves. New Year's Eve at Star Bar was a great way to end the year for us.

What do you think 2010 holds for Young Orchids?

We are putting the finishes touches on our debut album, which will be out in the next few months. We've been working on it for so long, and I'm really, really excited for people to hear it. After that, tour, tour, tour. I absolutely cannot wait to be on the road again. We also have plans to go back in the studio later this year and record another batch of songs.

What are some of your favorite venues to play?

Star Bar has been really great for us. I also enjoy 529 quite a bit.

Anything else, you'd like to tell people about your music?

So far I've only mentioned Kyle, but the other guys in the band, Jon [Gleaton], Matt [Debusschere], and Tak [Takemura], are a huge part of the sound of Young Orchids. I feel really fortunate to be playing music with some of my favorite people and musicians.

What song would you have to include on your ultimate mixtape of favorite songs?

By another artist, the first thing I thought of was the Everly Brothers version of "All I Have to Do Is Dream," so I'll go with that. As far as Young Orchids, I'm really proud of "Daysleeper," which is the first song Kyle and I ever wrote together.

All Aboard!

The Yacht Rock Revue returned to Andrew's Upstairs Friday night for their monthly residency at the popular Buckhead spot. The smoothest crooners in town did not disappoint. They "lightly" rocked the sold out crowd with their signature moves and hip-swaying standards. Any good cruise needs a photographer, and before the audience set sail with the band they stopped by Mixtape Atlanta's photo booth. Find all the night's photos here. Mixtape Atlanta is now also offering high-res photos and prints for sale for all events. Find non-logoed prints and other "souvenir" options here.

I'm Kenny Bloggins and you're not.

 

As promised, here is my first "official" blog on Mixtape Atlanta. I, Kenny Bloggins, just experienced my first trip on The Rock Boat (their 10th year) and have collected some unique data whist on board. The cruise ship left from Tampa last Thursday headed for Cozumel and then turned around after a cold and rainy day to head back across choppy waters docking again in Tampa. Along the way, there were many musical acts that performed on the boat. From what I hear, a few of them were good.

I wouldn't know. I was having my own personal concert in my cabin courtesy of a group of towel animals. I guess snorting a week's worth of Dramamine and chasing it with some homemade grog wasn't one of my better decisions.

What I did learn was that there's a certain etiquette to be followed if one finds oneself aboard a cruise liner:

1. Don’t expect perfection. With today’s ships carrying three and four thousand people at a time, trust me, the experience is not going to be perfect for everyone. Your toilet may clog. Handles may fall off sliding doors. Tablemates are sometimes rude (my own children come to mind). Have a good attitude and the cruise will go a lot more smoothly.

2. Get some exercise. Fact: The elevators are going to be crowded around dinner and show times. A bunch of crabby people waiting for the elevators will only stir each other up even more; I saw it happen time and again. If you are physically able, why not walk off that crème brûlée and take the stairs — or maybe do a lap on the Promenade Deck.

3. Shut up. It is not necessary to slam your cabin door each time you enter and exit the cabin, and it is rude to do so at 3 a.m. (some passengers actually sleep — at night! — on a cruise). Close the door slowly and preserve some of the peace. Never been on a cruise? There are probably a hundred cabins within earshot of each slammed door.

4. Practice moderation. OK, it’s your vacation: Have fun and party on. But know your limits. No one likes a sloppy drunk, and the last thing you want to do is spend a night in the medical facility because you planted your ass through the glass coffee table. No one will convince me that excessive drinking is not a huge factor in all the recent "crimes" at sea.

5. Hide your loggins. We've all been there: out in public with a noticeable bulge in our crotchular region. No biggie fries. There's no need to become less engorged. Just have a satchel or man purse on your person at all times to cover up said “situation.”

6. Remember that you are a world traveler. You may hear others speaking a different or unfamiliar language. (No, it is not a foreign language; it may be foreign to you, but it is not foreign to millions of perfectly competent speakers). If an announcement needs to be made, it will likely be made in several languages; after all, people who speak a language other than yours have the same right to safety and information as you do. Do not demand that people accommodate you. It is all about compromise.

7. Be a good audience member. If you are tired, don’t sit in the front row. How demeaning is it to a performer who is giving his or her all to look out and see an audience member nodding off mid-performance? Now imagine the reaction if there is also a line of drool dribbling from the corner of your mouth. Not a pretty sight, although the photograph I took is a good conversation piece!

8. Stop whining. If something has gone wrong or you are unhappy, there is no need to drag a few thousand other people into your mess. There is a simple solution: Ask management to correct the problem. Whining just brings everyone down and — who knows? — your expectations may be way out of line. And another thing: There’s not much anyone can do about a cloudy day.

9. Dress for public view. If you wouldn’t walk into Wal-Mart wearing short shorts and a tube top, you probably shouldn’t wear them on vacation, either. Same with a thong. People come in all shapes and sizes, but most of us are not looking to become acquainted with your every bulge and curve.

10. Be generous. Tip. Our waitress on the cruise is paid $50 a month. Yes, you read that correctly! The rest of her income comes from gratuities. To the family in the cabins across from me: I heard you all making plans to order room service for 16 on the last night of the cruise so you could avoid having to tip in the dining room. Shame on you!

Well, that wraps it up. I hope this has been as helpful as annoying. Until next time (if ever again) - I've been Kenny Bloggins and you've been warned.

All Hands on Deck

Tonight and tomorrow night, party with a purpose. The Yacht Rock Revue is giving you extra incentive to come enjoy their smooth shows this week. For every person that attends a Yacht Rock show Thursday at 10 High and/ or Friday at Andrew's Upstairs, the band is donating $1 to the American Red Cross to help aid earthquake relief in Haiti. Plus, all attendees who donate get a Yacht Rock sticker. Mixtape Atlanta will be at Andrew's Upstairs with a "cruisin" new photo booth. Doors for Yacht Rock Revue's weekly Thursday show at 10 High are 8:30PM and show starts at 9:30PM. Doors and photo booth open at 9PM on Friday at Andrew's Upstairs.

A Whole Lotta Shaking

Ice covered the ground and temperatures never got above freezing, but plenty of Elvis fools rushed into Variety Playhouse January 8 and 9 for Kingsized's annual Elvis Show. Big Mike Geier's commanding stage presence and powerful voice honored the King of Rock 'n Roll's classic catalogue, while the Dames Aflame heated up the stage with their retro moves. For photos of Kingsized and Dames Aflame's Elvis performances, click here.

Weekend Blues Cure: Photos and Free Music

Atlanta’s 2010 concert calendar started off with a great lineup of artists performing at local venues this weekend. Alabama natives and Nashville residents Hightide Blues returned to Smith’s Olde Bar’s stage with their energetic well-seasoned hybrid of rock, country and classic jam band style grooves. While Blues is working on their much anticipated new album, download their last EP Love Come Easy off the band’s website. Also check out photos from their concert last Friday here.

Death on Two Wheels’ shows are known for being riotous in the best definition of rock ‘n roll and Saturday night was no exception. The Atlanta band was joined by former bandmate Mike Williamson for their show at 529. If you have yet to make it to one of their performances, what are you waiting for? To make sure you are fully ready for the next Death on Two Wheels show download their The Past & The Present EP here. See Death on Two Wheels’ latest concert photos here.

The Reel Mix: Leap Year

If you’ve seen a trailer for Leap Year, there is nothing that can be added to the story because you’ve seen it all. Anna (Amy Adams), who is disappointed that her boyfriend (Adam Scott) hasn’t proposed to her yet, travels to Ireland to pop the question to him. Her plan comes out of learning about the Irish tradition, where women can propose to men on Leap Day. She finds this out from her father, played by the talented John Lithgow, who’s ONLY screen time is to utter this line. Due to severe weather she ends up across the Irish Isle from her intended destination of Dublin. She stumbles into a small pub, meets the ruggedly handsome Declan (Matthew Goode), he offers to drive her to Dublin for much needed cash, and if you’ve ever seen a romantic comedy you know how this ends.

Although romantic comedies of “city women” sparring with “country men” that they come to rely upon are not new (i.e. Romancing the Stone, French Kiss, and Crocodile Dundee); Leap Year offers nothing engaging. The film’s main problem is the script. It is pretty weak with dialogue or surprises. From the moment, Anna and Declan meet there is not doubt that they will end up together. Romantic comedies are predictable by nature, but Leap Year’s predictability becomes painful. Adams offers a nice performance, although a little nagging at times, and Goode is charming, but doesn’t have strong enough lines or back story to really shine.

Kenny Bloggins Sets Sail

The smooth gents of Please Rock's Yacht Rock Revue have gently rocked the stages of 10 High, Andrew's Upstairs, and Variety Playhouse. Now they are braving the tranquil seas of the Gulf of Mexico on The Rock Boat. If you are disappointed that this sold-out pleasure cruise left without you- and you should be- fear not. Mixtape Atlanta is luckly enough to have a special correspondent to update you on all the hi-jinx of this yachty crew. So stay tuned for the adventures of "The Real Thing"...Kenny Bloggins.

Atlanta Legends play Athens Homeless Benefit

It's easy to say you know just how close so many people are to homelessness.  Longtime Athens and Atlanta resident David Pierce, AKA the much beloved DJ Romeo Cologne, knows it firsthand.  After his house burned down, the regular Star Bar and Clermont Lounge performer lived at a hotel for a few short weeks until his meager savings ran out, and then he was on the street.  He's now on the rebound himself, but he's determined to help people in similar situations.  So the benefit his friends originally planned to help raise money for him has now been transformed into a fundraiser for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

The best part is, it's going to be a kick-butt show- no boring rubber-chicken fundraisers here.  We're talking Michael Lachowski, bass player of the great Pylon, DJ Romeo Cologne himself, and Athens music legends Love Tractor.  It's all happening Wednesday, January 6 at The Melting Point in Athens; doors open at 8pm.  Come out, support a great cause, and hear some legendary Georgia music!  Buy your tickets here.

Michael Dunaway

A Socially Messy New Year

  

Hundred of Atlantans rang in the new year at Lenox Square Grill on New Year's Eve thanks to A Social Mess. The sold-out party included an open bar, food, DJs, non-stop dancing, and most importantly a Mixtape Atlanta photo booth! Check out all the night's prom-tastic photos here. If you feel like getting messy this weekend too, don't miss A Social Mess' Monster Truck Prom on Saturday, January 9.

Ride the Tide Into 2010

Hightide Blues is starting 2010 with a killer show and special offers. The popular band is headlining at Smith's Olde Bar Friday, January 8 and wants to make sure you are there. The band is giving away ten pairs of free tickets; just email [email protected] for your chance to win. Also to insure that you really have a great time, the band is giving away free beer starting at 10PM until the keg is tapped. How can you beat that?