Mixtape Atlanta

ATL Film Festival 2014

The 38th Annual Atlanta Film Festival kicks off tomorrow night with a special opening night presentation of Joe, starring Nicolas Cage and directed by David Gordon Green. Similar to last year's AFF opening pick, Mud, Joe follows the story of an ex-con (Cage), this unlikely friendship with a young man, and the difficult choices they must make in their lives.

This year's Atlanta Film Festival runs from March 28- April 6 at venues mostly centered in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood. For a full list of films, events, and more visit AtlantaFilmFestival.com.

Make Music with Lauren St. Jane

Atlanta's alternative country favorite Lauren St. Jane is working on her next EP and needs YOUR help.

Like many artists, Lauren and her band have turned to Kickstarter to help fund this EP. Their goal is to raise $12,000 by January 1, 2014; they are a little over a fourth of the way there, but need their fans help to get the rest. This is an all or nothing campaign, so if they don't reach the funds in 3 days they loose what they have already gathered.

From private shows, to a night of karaoke with Lauren and the band, to a Braves game outing, and more this is your chance to join the band and make music happen with your donation. Every dollar helps!

For more information and to make a donation, visit her Kickstarter page here.

X-Mix 2013 Wrap-Up

 

 

 

 

For Mixtape Atlanta's annual X-Mix held on Friday, December 13 at Vinyl, the venue was transformed into a vision of merry and scary to reflect this year's theme of The Nightmare Before X-Mix.

Whynatte kicked off the party with a toast and round of shots for all those 21 and over, and Yosef was first to take the stage in a line-up that included Mel Washington, Wesley Cook, Aerobics Cube, The Electric Sons, and a rock filled finale by James Hall. Yacht Rock Revue also stopped by to perform a few songs. While dancing and music was had onstage, revelry and- probably too many Whynatte shots- overtook the crowd, including notable guests Butch Walker and members from Skid Row.

All proceeds from the night benefited Songs for Kids Foundation, and HUGE holiday hugs to all that donated in addition to the door cover.

Check out all the fun from the stage to the photo booth here.

All Things Yachty and Bright

Yacht Rock Revue returned to Variety Playhouse for their annual holiday special featuring smooth tunes and tacky sweaters. Thanks to all who donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank by getting their photo taken in Mixtape Atlanta's photo booth.

Get your photos here!

The Electric Sons "Carry On"

As if these guys couldn't get any cooler. Fresh off bringing the party to The Nightmare Before X-Mix last Friday, The Electric Sons have released another dance igniting music video. "Carry On" was filmed at Wreckroom Records in Adrian Grenier's Brooklyn home, and we dare you not to jump along.

Roll with The District Attorneys

Atlanta's The District Attorneys are kicking 2014 off with one of the best albums of 1995 for what is sure to be a wonderwall of fun and music. The local rockers will be performing a tribute to Oasis' (What's The Story) Morning Glory? plus the album's B-Sides on Friday, January 3 at Smith's Olde Bar. The rowdy night starts at 8PM with Party Dolls opening the electric lineup, so come early, stay late, and be prepared to party... some might say it is an event not to be missed.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 day of show.Get tickets here!

The Nightmare Before X-Mix Lineup

No reason to fear Friday the 13th, because this year's X-Mix lineup is here!

For Mixtape Atlanta's 5th annual X-Mix holiday extravaganza we are adding some haunt to your holidays.

Join us Friday, December 13 at Vinyl to rock, party, and jingle at The Nightmare Before X-Mix sponsored by Whynatte and Soundbyte. Like every year, all proceeds benefit Songs for Kids Foundation. Songs for Kids is an amazing organization that in 2013 alone has visited more than 200 hospitals in 180 US cities bringing music and joy to sick children and their families.

Headlining X-Mix this year is Atlanta rock icon, James Hall, who in not only a longtime supporter of Songs for Kids, but the only artist to play X-Mix every year. One of our favorite new bands, The Electric Sons are bringing their festive indie/ electric music. Wesley Cook another amazing Songs for Kids supporter and talented popular songwriter will perform. 1980s workout group, Aerobics Cube is returning to get heart rates racing and shake weight's shaking with their unique take on dancing and decking the halls. Singer/ Songwriters Mel Washington and Yosef are both making the trip from South Carolina to perform, which will be a treat for all. The fellas from Yacht Rock Revue, longtime Songs for Kids supporters and X-Mix veterans, will also be making a special appearance.

Cover is $10; doors open at 8pm and music starts at 9pm. There will also be a themed Mixtape Atlanta Photo Booth and a special late night DJ set.

Keep checking back for more X-Mix details and announcements.

Save The Date: X-MIX 2013

Attention boys and ghouls, don't cry into your candy now that Halloween is over because the winter holidays are about to get a whole lot spookier!

This year Mixtape Atlanta is adding some scary to the merry for our fifth annual X-Mix holiday extravaganza and music showcase all benefiting Songs for Kids Foundation.

We are thriller-ed to present The Nightmare Before X-Mix on Friday, December 13th at Vinyl. The lineup will be released soon, but mark you calendar now and help us spread the word. Can't wait to see you all!

Songs for Kids 2013 Tour

This year Atlanta based charity Songs for Kids Foundation took their mission of enriching the lives of sick and suffering children through music on the road. On a multi-month journey spanning more than 30,000 miles and armed with only guitars and an impressive song catalog, Songs For Kids charity champions Josh Rifkind and Sanjay Kothari brought musical joy and relief to 200 children's hospitals in 180 cities across the nation.

Check out the below video for insight into their journey, but more importantly the power of music to bring instant joy and relief to children and their families.

Songs for Kids is a non-profit organization that relies on support from donations to fund hospital visits and programs. To donate, click here.

The Grand Budapest Hotel: First Trailer

Check out the first trailer for Wes Anderson's highly anticipated new movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel coming in 2014.

Patrick Wedding Photo Booth

If you attended the Patrick Wedding on August 16, grab your photo booth photos here!

THE MAN WHO ATE NEW ORLEANS in ATL

This Wednesday, August 28, walk the red carpet in support of an amazing documentary created by local Atlantans. The Man Who Ate New Orleans will make its world theatrical premiere at The Plaza Theatre this week. Tickets are only $15 and all proceeds go towards rebuilding New Orleans homes affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The Man Who Ate New Orleans chronicles a pastor from New York, who moved to New Orleans post- Katrina, set a personal goal to eat at every restaurant in the city, and along the way he and his small church rebuilt over 500 homes. Directed by Michael Dunaway (former Mixtape Atlanta contributor) with collaboration from Morgan Spurlock, The Man Who Ate New Orleans is a moving documentary that will resonate with the whole family. Don't miss the opportunity to be one of the first to see it in theatres.

Purchase tickets to the premiere screening here. All ages are welcome. Red carpet is at 7pm with movie starting at 7:30pm.

Rain, Revival, and Rock

Downpour showers and flood warnings couldn't stop Yacht Rock Revue and their list of special guests from sailing into Chastain Park Amphitheater for their annual revival on July 20. The band's trademark precision also translated to the skies, because when they took the stage a little after 8:30pm the rain stopped and the dance floor began to dry.

Yacht Rock Schooner got the party started under the veil of drizzle to serenade the brave poncho wearers and rain delayed crowd. Atlanta's own Starbuck reunited for a special performance and quick set before the classic Yacht Rock troop took the stage.

For nearly two hours, Yacht Rock Revue was joined by original yacht rockers including Bobby Kimball (lead singer of Toto), Bill Champlin formerly Of Chicago, Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special), Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass), and Walter Egan. After hours of shuffling, dancing, duets, harmonies, and nonstop performing the night culminated in a showstopping finale of "Lido" featuring all generations of yacht rockers.

Checkout photos from the show and crowd, here.

Steal Away with Yacht Rock at Chastain

This Saturday, July 20, Yacht Rock Revue is continuing their Summer of Smooth campaign with one of their biggest shows to date. For the past three years, Atlanta's soft rockers have hosted a Yacht Rock Revival to revel in the music and artists that continue to dazzle audiences with timeless hits. This weekend Yacht Rock Revival is upping the intensity and capacity when it takes over Chastain Amphitheater.

Joining Yacht Rock for this special revival, include many original rockers of yachts: Bobby Kimball (lead singer of Toto), Bill Champlin formerly Of Chicago, Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special), Robbie Dupree, Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass), Walter Egan, Starbuck, and Yacht Rock Schooner. Doors open at 6:30 and the music starts at 7:30.

So take some to do the things you've never have (or have many times before)- party like a yacht (rock) star. Buy tickets!

Sean Renner at Smith's Olde Bar

Atlanta native and Denver based musician Sean Renner will perform at Smith's Olde Bar on Tuesday, May 21 as a part of Jack Daniel's Honey Concert Series. Renner will be joined by punk rockers Some Kind of Nightmare and country band Six Time Losers.

It's been three years since Renner last played Atlanta, and his eclectic sound of electronic, acoustic, folk and experimental music has only strengthened.

Check out Renner at Smith's at 8PM sharp! Tickets are only $5 at the door.

500 Songs for Kids 2013- Finale Weekend - Friday Artist List

This weekend 500 Songs for Kids returns to it's original home of Smith's Olde Bar. The lineup and countdown is sure to remind you of home, as they count down 100 of the Greatest Songs by Georgia Artists. Doors open at 7PM and tickets are $20 at the door with all proceeds benefiting Songs for Kids Foundation. Check out the list of confirmed artists for Friday below!

A CELEBRATION OF GEORGIA MUSIC: 100 OF THE GREATEST SONGS BY GEORGIA ARTISTS- Friday, May 17

JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS PERFORMS R.E.M.’s “DRIVER 8”
LEFT FRONT TIRE PERFORMS LEFT FRONT TIRE'S "BRING YOU DOWN"
ANDY BIRDSALL PERFORMS ANGIE APARO’S “GREEN INTO GOLD”
RADIOLUCENT PERFORMS THE BLACK CROWES' "TWICE AS HARD"
ADAM KLEIN PERFORMS VIC CHESNUTT'S "GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION"
ALAINA TERRY PERFORMS INDIGO GIRLS' "GALILEO"
AN ENGLISH PLACE PERFORMS OF MONTREAL'S "REQUIEM FOR O.M.M."
THE BARRICADES PERFORMS OTIS REDDING'S "FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE"
CHRONIC NOT SERIOUS PERFORMS TLC'S "NO SCRUBS"
CINCH PERFORMS OTIS REDDING'S "A CHANGE IS GONNA COME"
THE DREADED MARCO PERFORMS OTIS REDDING'S "THESE ARMS OF MINE"
ELIZA KELLEY PERFORMS ELTON JOHN'S "TINY DANCER"
GALYNNE GOODWILL PERFORMS AMY GRANT’S “BABY, BABY”
GOODNIGHT BUFFALO PERFORMS VIC CHESNUTT'S "SUPERNATURAL"
JIMI CRAVITY PERFORMS RAY CHARLES' "GEORGIA"
JUSTIN KERENYI PERFORMS DEAD CONFEDERATE’S MEMORIAL DAY NIGHT
LP PERFORMS OUTKAST'S "ELEVATORS (ME AND YOU)"
NICKIE JON PERFORMS PHILLIP PHILLIPS 'S "HOME"
NOBODY'S DARLINGS PERFORMS OUTKAST'S "HEY YA"
PARKER SMITH PERFORMS ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION'S "GEORGIA RHYTHM"
SANJAY KOTHARI PERFORMS DREAMS SO REAL’s ROUGH NIGHT IN JERICHO
JOHN FROM BEST BROTHERS PERFORMS EAST BOUND AND DOWN BY JERRY REED
SEED AND FEED MARCHING ABOMINABLE
SHAWN MICHAEL HANEY (BROWN*APPLE^) PERFORMS R.E.M.'S "DAYSLEEPER"
SHOOK FOIL PERFORMS NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL'S "KING OF CARROT FLOWERS"
STEPHANIE MMA PERFORMS THE BLACK CROWES' "SHE TALKS TO ANGELS"
THE STILETTOS PERFORMS SUGARLAND'S "BABY GIRL"
THE SUNDOGS PERFORMS GRAM PARSONS' "OOH LAS VEGAS"

Shaky Knees Music Festival

Coming up this weekend, May 4 and 5, is the first ever Shaky Knees Music Festival. Using the stage in the Masquerade Music Park combined with two stages to be set up in the beautiful and adjacent Historic Fourth Ward Park, the Shaky Knees Festival is a full all-day event on both Saturday and Sunday. The festival lineup includes local favorites like Death on Two Wheels and Shovels and Rope as well as two huge daily headliners: Band of Horses and The Lumineers.

The festival was organized by Tim Sweetwood, a longtime Atlanta promoter and talent buyer. Shaky Knees promises to be different from all the other summer music festivals out there, and we are hoping it will be the first year of many. Sweetwood's goal was to appeal to all kinds of music fans and to maybe introduce them to a band that they never would have discovered had they not attended this festival.

In addition to the daytime concerts there is a late-night show on Saturday with GOAT and The Black Angels. Get your tickets soon because two-day passes are already sold out and the one-day passes are soon to follow.

We'll see you there!

Chloe Childs

500 Songs for Kids 2013- Night 6 Artist List

This weekend 500 Songs for Kids takes up residency at The Earl, and Saturday's lineup is as entertaining as Friday's. Plus, with so many musicians in town for other festivals who knows who might stop by. So grab your friends, skinny jeans, and head to The Earl to see great music for an awesome cause. Doors open at 7PM and tickets are $12 at the door with all proceeds benefiting Songs for Kids Foundation. Check out the list of confirmed artists for Night 6 below.

GREATEST COLLEGE RADIO SONGS- Saturday, May 4

LITTLE TYBEE performs Particle Man by They Might Be Giants
TODAY THE MOON, TOMORROW THE SUN perform Hang Me Out to Dry by Cold War Kids
CUTE BOOTS perform Devil Town by Daniel Johnston
JUNGOL performs Paranoid Android by Radiohead
THE HEAD performs You're Pretty Good Looking by the White Stripes
KENNY HOWES AND THE WOW perform Can't Get There From Here by R.E.M.
UNDEAD VIKING MAFIA performs Stars by Hum
THE SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS perform Radio Free Europe by REM
HE SANG SHE SANG performs Just by Radiohead
THE SUNSET DISTRICT performs Cut Your Hair by Pavement
SPIRITS AND THE MELCHIZEDEK CHILDREN perform Horses In My Dreams by PJ Harvey
SEX BBQ performs Pretend We're Dead by L7
SMALL REACTIONS performs 12XU by Wire
NOOT D' NOOT'S ELECTRO SIREN performs Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes
NO KOMMENT performs Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
TIKKA performs Cherry-Coloured Funk by the Cocteau Twins
SUMMER MORE THAN OTHERS performs It's The End of The World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) BY REM
NEW TERMINUS performs Left of the Dial by the Replacements
BRAIN performs Come Together by Spiritualized
Hey Alligator! Performs Rock Lobster by THE B-52S
BEN TRICKEY performs To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey
AN ENGLISH PLACE performs Race For The Prize by Flaming Lips
Waking The Bates performs I Got Mine by The Black Keys
GOODNIGHT BUFFALO performs Whirring by The Joy Formidable
BLAKE GUTHRIE & GETAWAY CAR performs Panic by the Smiths
THE INTOXICOLOGISTS perform Under the Milky Way by The Church
THE ROTATING POINT SOURCE performs Loser by Beck
MICHAEL C SMITH performs Waitress In the Sky by The Replacements

500 Songs for Kids 2013- Night 5 Artist List

500 Songs for Kids heads to East Atlanta Village this weekend to countdown the 100 Greatest College Radio Songs of All Time at The Earl. Checkout the confirmed artist lineup so far for Friday, May 3.

GREATEST COLLEGE RADIO SONGS- Friday, May 3

CARNIVORES perform Dance This Mess Around by B-52's
COUSIN DAN performs Nightcall by Kavinsky
MOOD RINGS perform Coffee and TV by Blur
FIVE EIGHT performs Celebrated Summer by Husker Du
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS perform If I Can’t Change Your Mind by Sugar
CHRIST, LORD performs Where Is My Mind? by The Pixies
SHOOK FOIL performs King Of Carrot Flowers by Neutral Milk Hotel
SUSPECT RAPTOR performs Lie To Me by DEPECHE MODE
BOOK CLUB performs Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots pt. 1 by Flaming Lips
86TH NOISE BATTALION performs Salesmen, Cheats, and Liars by Lowest of the Low
DEL VENICCI performs Rip It Up by Orange Juice
BRAIN BOX performs Sugar Kane by Sonic Youth
HIP TO DEATH performs Still Life by The Horrors
THE PREAKNESS performs Web In Front by Archers of Loaf
DARLING NORMAN performs Monkey Gone to Heaven by The Pixies
RICER performs My Friend Goo by Sonic Youth
NOT FROM HERE performs Lithium by Nirvana
HOTELS perform Rude As Jude by Dom
SYDNEY ELOISE performs Skinny Love by Bon Iver
WILL MITCHELL performs Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead
THE OLD FOURTH performs Vasoline by Stone Temple Pilots
CONCORD AMERICA performs MTV Makes Me Wanna…. by Beck
SUSI FRENCH CONNECTION performs Message of Love by the Pretenders
THE FIRST STONE performs The One I Love by R.E.M.
LEXI STREET performs Kiss Them For Me by Siouxsie and the Banshees
SLIM CHANCE AND THE CONVICTS performs Don't Go Back to Rockville by R.E.M.
NEIL CRIBBS performs Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might be Giants
AL SHELTON performs Pillow Talk by Guadalcanal Diary
XYLAH performs Trouble by Ray LaMontagne

InstaRecap: 500 Songs for Kids Weekend 2

500 Songs for Kids continued its musical marathon on Weekend 2 of the five weekend charity event. Departing Smith's Olde Bar for the first time in seven years, The Loft hosted the second weekend of songs focused on VH1's Greatest Hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

Local musicians including Sonia Leigh, Ben Deignan, Joshua Fletcher, David Dalton, and many more belted out their assigned songs. Sonia Leigh's cover of the Alanis Morissette classic and jilted girl anthem "You Outta Know" had the entire crowd screaming along.

This weekend, 500 Songs for Kids takes over The Earl while the countdown continues with 100 Greatest College Radio Songs.

Follow Mixtape Atlanta on Instagram and Twitter for instant updates and photos. Check out all our Instagram photos from Weekend 2 of 500 Songs For Kids, here.