Mixtape Atlanta

Peachtree Music Festival 2011

Many Atlantans look forward to fall every year for the cool temperatures and amazing concert lineups that tend to come through our city. This October will be no exception. Rocktober is kicking off in exciting fashion with the inaugural Peachtree Music Festival taking place on October 1 in Midtown at 8th Street NW and Spring Street. With popular hip-hop and indie-rockers dominating the lineup, there is something in this music festival for everyone. Tickets are now on sale and if you act fast, you can save $10 using the promo code “mixtape”. Stay tuned to Mixtape Atlanta for artists updates and more information regarding Peachtree Music Festival 2011!

Confirmed Artist Lineup

MAIN STAGE
12:15 p.m. Under the Flood
1:15 p.m. Tesla Rossa
2:15 p.m. Ocean is Theory
3:15 p.m. Levi Lowrey
4:15 p.m. Stokeswood
5:45 p.m. The Dirty Guv’nahs
7:15 p.m. Civil Twilight
8:45 p.m. Shiny Toy Guns
10:15 p.m. DGAF: Dallas Austin & Corey Enemy

BMI STAGE
12:45 p.m. Aunt Martha
1:45 p.m. The Young Rapscallions
2:45 p.m. Ben Deignan
3:45 p.m. The Kingston Springs
5:00 p.m. Modern Skirts
6:30 p.m. Open Air Stereo
8:00 p.m. Freesol
9:30 p.m. DJ Khaled

BMI Rings in the Holidays

BMI hosted their annual Holiday Party on December 9 at Halo Lounge. The festive soiree brought out top music industry influentials such as Dallas Austin, Devyne Stephens, and Sean Garrett as well as local tastemakers. Mixtape Atlanta snapped photos all night at the red carpet/ holiday photo booth, see all photos here.

Mixtape hits the red carpet for Dallas Austin's fundraiser

The Dallas Austin Foundation, which serves metro Atlanta youth interested in music production and business, threw a gala celebration May 16 in honor of the completion of the tenth music studio it has built in local high schools. Dallas himself was there of course, as well as a host of other luminaries including Chili from TLC, Divine Stevens, BMI's Catherine Brewton, and star entertainment attorney Joel Katz.

"I've known Dallas since he was sixteen years old," Katz laughed. "I've been to just about every event the Foundation has put on; they're all different but they're all interesting."

"Tonight really means a lot to me,because I wish my school had had a studio," explained Austin. "I would have probably taken a little bit of a different course if I had been able to relate music to my education."

In the video below, Dallas explains how several members of his family were major musical influences on him, including one that led to his making the movie "Drumline." And he makes a surprising choice for his ultimate mixtape track. Check back for Mixtape Atlanta's interviews with Joel Katz and Divine Stevens. -Michael Dunaway

Mixtape Atlanta's Lauren St. Jane with Dallas Austin

Party with Dallas Austin and Friends

So what do YOU have going on this Saturday night? If your plans aren’t as cool and impressive as hanging out at a swanky Buckhead residence with music’s finest, you should consider changing them. Diddy, Outkast, and Jermaine Dupri will all be in attendance at Dallas Austin’s party sponsored by Rolls Royce, CIROC Vodka and others. Did I mention tickets start at just $150 and go to a great cause? This one is a no-brainer, folks.

The event is a fundraiser for The Dallas Austin Foundation, which has for some time now been bringing music education to thousands of metro Atlanta high school students through its wildly popular afterschool programs. Students learn about every aspect of the music business, from writing and producing to the business end. The foundation has even planted recording studios in ten area high schools.

Atlanta’s own legendary (and GRAMMY-winning) songwriter/producer Dallas Austin established the foundation six years ago.

“I’m incredibly proud of the positive difference the foundation has made in the lives of so many young people by providing schools and students with successful music programs that foster creativity and talent,” Austin says. “Atlanta is a thriving music city and despite the economic challenges we need to continue to support music education in our community to ensure the success of a next generation of Atlantans.”

How can you resist the opportunity to party up close and personal with A-listers?

For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.dallasaustinfoundation.org.

-Michael Dunaway