Today are the Municipal elections so get out there and cast your vote.

Here’s an older post about both Atlanta and Georgia voting that still applies —

What you’ll see on the ballot? It’s all local City of Atlanta. No, Obama isn’t going anywhere yet. You’ll be able to vote your picks for the likes of Mayor and City Council.

Drive A Faster Car has won Readers Choice in the Local Blog/Blogger category in Creative Loafing’s Best Of Atlanta 2009! Thank you so much for all your votes!

Drive A Faster Car was also runner-up for Best Local Blogger (Readers Pick) and Best Georgia-Based Music Blog (Readers Pick)!

Congratulations to all of the other Atlanta blogs who took awards:
- Cityscape: Best local blog Decatur Metro (Critics pick)
- Cityscape: Best local blogger Jennifer Zyman (Readers pick)
- Poets, Artists & Madmen: Best local arts blog BurnAway.org (Readers pick)
- After Dark: Best Georgia-based music blog OhmPark.com (Readers pick)

Participting boutiques include The Bilthouse, Boogaloos, Evolve, Fickle Manor, Heliotrope, Jac, Kaleidoscope, Kelly’s Closet, Mooncake, Rockit, Soshoelite, and Squash Blossom.

Poetry Atlanta was created by Atlanta Review editor Dan Veach to help promote poetry and spoken word in Atlanta. The non-profit organization e-mails a monthly newsletter listing open mics, readings, workshops and events around the city. PA also publishes the Poet’s Phonebook, a directory of poets, workshop leaders and hosts. Poetry Atlanta Press has published many books including the award-winning Java Monkey Speaks anthologies. The Community Board members include President Kodac Harrison, Collin Kelley, Sharan Strange, Karen Head, Megan Volpert, Tavares Stephens, Theresa Davis and Rupert Fike.

The organization is also releasing a DVD this week, “Trouble and Hope.” Details below from their site.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 7:15 PM
POETRY ATLANTA PRESENTS… TROUBLE AND HOPE, A DVD ANTHOLOGY
DECATUR LIBRARY
Poetry Atlanta Presents a screening of Trouble and Hope, a DVD anthology of poets in performance and conversation. This film has been more than two years in the making and features some of Atlanta’s finest poets and spoken word artists. Performers include: Amena Brown, Mr. Boom, Chris Chandler, Theresa Davis, Travis Denton, Mike Dockins, Rupert Fike, Karen G., Jon Goode, Beth Gylys, Lady Hardin, Kodac Harrison, Karen Head, Collin Kelley, BasiKnowledge, Alice Lovelace, Opal Moore, Bryan Pattillo, Randy Prunty, Tania Rochelle, Tavares Stephens, Sharan Strange, Natasha Trethewey, Dan Veach, Megan Volpert, Karen Wurl, Gypsee Yo and a special tribute to the late Shannon Leigh. DVDs will be for sale at the screening for $15, cash or check only. Presented in conjunction with Georgia Center for the Book at the Decatur Library.

For Immediate Release

70+ Artists Donate Rare Tracks to Launch
The Save Paste Campaign

Paste Magazine appeals to readers for financial help

(Decatur, Ga. – May 13, 2009)
Today, Paste Media Group, publisher of the two-time National Magazine Award nominee Paste Magazine & PasteMagazine.com, will launch an online fundraiser to keep the magazine functioning in the midst of the global financial recession.

As a completely independent magazine, Paste has struggled for the past nine months as advertisers have decided to wait on buying ads in response to the recession. Last month, cash received unexpectedly reached an all-time low, and turned a tough situation into a short-term crisis.

Rather than shut its doors, Paste is launching a reader appeal today to help save the magazine. Many of the artists who’ve been covered by Paste over the years—folks like Neko Case, The Decemberists, Of Montreal, She & Him, Josh Ritter, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls—have donated rare and exclusive tracks to give to anyone who donates to the cause. Two of the tracks were recorded specifically for the campaign. Plus Sixthman has donated an ocean-view cabin on next year’s Cayamo Cruise, and bands like R.E.M. and Band of Horses have donated signed posters to be given away to random supporters.

While the current situation is dire, long-term, Paste expects to emerge from the recession in good shape. 2008 was the magazine’s best year across the board—print subscribers, print ads, online readers and online advertising were all at record levels. PasteMagazine.com consistently draws more than 900,000 visitors each month, and the magazine has grown into the third largest rock magazine in the world. Meanwhile new advertisers have come on board and more are ready to begin doing business when their advertising budgets return.

“We’ve adjusted our business plan, implementing several cost-cutting measures and creating a robust online business that’s among the best in the industry,” says publisher Nick Purdy. “If we can get through this immediate cash crunch, we can weather the rest of this economic storm.”

“The response from artists has been humbling,” adds editor-in-chief Josh Jackson. “We put out an appeal for rare tracks to thank our donors, and all these really cool songs started pouring in, as well as the warmest words of encouragement.”

As singer/songwriter Cary Brothers puts it, “Times are tough in the music industry, and now more than ever we need people like the team at Paste looking out for artists on the fringe of the mainstream.”

Donations can be made at http://www.pastemagazine.com/savepaste.

…
To schedule an interview with publisher Nick Purdy or editor-in-chief Josh Jackson, please call Kevin Keller at 404-483-5564 or email kevin@pastemagazine.com.

A list of artists contributing songs for the Save Paste Campaign so far:
A Camp, Ari Hest, Army of Me, Arrested Development, Ben Folds, Ben Wakeman, Betty LaVette, Bill Mallonee, Birdmonster, Bloodkin, Bob Mould, Brandi Carlile, Cara Luft, Cary Brothers, Cowboy Junkies, Dan Zimmerman, Derek Webb, Duncan Sheik, G. Love and Special Sauce, Gomez, Greg Laswell, Indigo Girls, Islands, Jamie Lidell, Jason Harrod, Jennifer Daniels, Jesse Sykes And The Sweet Hereafter, Joe Henry, John Doe, John Roderick (The Long Winters), Josh Ritter, Josh Rouse, Keller Williams, Liam Finn, Loney Dear, Luke Brindley, Marc Broussard, Matt Nathanson, Matthew Caws, Matthew Sweet, Meiko, Neko Case, Of Montreal, Ortolan, Over the Rhine, Passion Pit, Patterson Hood, Portastatic, Robert Pollard, Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, Rosie Thomas, Samantha Crain, Sandra McCracken, Shawn Mullins, She & Him, Slow Runner, Soul-Junk, Southeast Engine, State Radio, String Cheese Incident, Switchfoot, Thao, The Avett Brothers, The Clarks, The Decemberists, The Jayhawks, The Low Anthem, The Minus 5, The Rosewood Thieves, The Spring Standards, Umphree’s McGee, Venice Is Sinking, Welcome Wagon, William Fitzimmons

Paste Magazine is one of the fastest growing independently published entertainment magazines in the country, named “Magazine of the Year” at the 2007 and 2008 PLUG Independent Music Awards. Providing thoughtful analysis on the best in film, books and other aspects of popular (and alternative) culture, Paste is the premier magazine for people who still enjoy discovering new music, prize substance and songcraft over fads and manufactured attitude, and appreciate quality music in whatever genre it might inhabit. Now in its seventh year, Paste is available on newsstands all over the U.S. and Canada.

I have received a few emails in response to my earlier blog post in regards to Paste Magazine’s financial situation. I wanted to respond to the email above on the site, in case others have interpreted my earlier post similarly. I also am not able to respond to this via email because it is from an Anonymous email address that bounces.

To Anonymous:

The information and some of verbiage used in the article was sent to me from someone pretty close to the Paste situation as well. I fully understand the gravity of the situation and the piece was meant to do nothing but support, not mock, their financial situation. The phrase “next issue” was intended to refer to Paste’s future — not literally the very next issue of the magazine.

I plan on posting a follow-up with the contents of the letter that is being sent out by Paste this evening to better clarify why they are launching their “Save Paste” initiative. I am looking to report nothing but fair and supportive coverage.

Thank you for reaching out and letting me know that the article came across as it did. If you have any other concerns, please feel free to do so again.

Best,
Tessa

Tessa Horehled
Drive A Faster Car – Editor
tessa at driveafastercar.com

Update: Official Announcement directly from Paste: Save Paste Magazine: Official Announcement

It is finally getting hot out. Pools are opening. I think we are all a bit excited that Summer is here. One of my all-time favorite things about living in the South during Summer is the rampant collection of festivals! Specifically those with bands, BBQ and beer.

This Saturday, Twain’s is throwing a Springfest chock full of all of these things — two stages of music plus food and drink specials. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds are being donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Outside Lineup:
1:30pm-2:15pm: The Atlanta Sedition Orchestra
2:45 pm – 3:30pm: Rocksploitation
4:00 pm- 4:45 pm: The Brain Box
5:15pm- 6:00pm : The Mystery Men
6:30pm-7:15pm : Balloonaut
7:45 pm- 8:30pm: Tag Team
9:00 pm-9:45 pm: Grinder Nova

Inside Lineup:
2:15-2:45pm: Dave Ellington
3:30-4:15pm: Spanky and The Love Handles
4:45-5:15pm: Kevin McFoy Dunn
6:00-6:30 pm: Old Custer
7:15-7:45 pm: Abby Wren
8:30-9:00pm: Swingset
10:00-?: Getaway Car