Rock 'n' Reel

If anyone's in or near the ATL this weekend, you really oughtta-should check out Paste Magazine's first-ever Rock 'n' Reel Festival. The nice folks at Paste are hosting thirty or so bands, mucho film, and ... treat of treats ... the creators of Homestar Runner.

I'm gonna shrug my shoulders at the film part of this. I'm not a film buff (hell, I still haven't even seen "The Lion King"), so I don't really know good from bad. In fact, truth be told, I'm getting a little bummed out that Paste seems to be putting more and more focus on film stuff. If I wanted to be a film nerd, I'd subscribe to film nerd magazines and be able to name more than two directors.

So I'll just drool over the music aspect of this festival. Bands on the schedule include Mindy Smith, Mark Olson and Victoria Williams, Buddy Miller, and Erin McKeown. Sweeeeeet. Also, if only I could go, I have a feeling I'd be checking out Over the Rhine, Cary Brothers and Denison Witmer, not to mention some of the bands listed who I've never heard of. Sure to be some gems there.

Aw peas, I wish I could go. Besides the aforementioned awesomeness, Atlanta is my hometown! So, if you're anywhere within driving or cheap-flight distance, please make the trip. Eat at the Varsity. Fawn over the Homestar Runner guys for me. Be on the lookout for my man Andre 3000. And rejoice that with this festival, Atlanta may suddenly start sprouting the rich Americana music scene it has been sorely lacking.