The more I think about it, the more impossible it seems that this event has never happened before. It’s such a simple concept — the coming together of so many like-minded people bound by a common love and purpose — but, nevertheless, here we are just a couple of days away from the first ever Atlanta Record Label Fest. Taking place this Sunday at Aisle 5, the inaugural event will unite over a dozen local imprints in what is being is billed as “A Popup Market Celebrating Atlanta’s Indie Record Labels.” The fest will feature artist performances and DJ sets, and each label will have an array of music and other merch available for purchase in a variety of formats. It’s an opportunity for local music fans or newcomers curious about the scene to come out and support the people who lay the groundwork for so much of what happens in Atlanta music.

Recently, we got an opportunity to sit down with festival mastermind Juliett Rowe of Blood Drunk Records, and talk with her about what inspired her to organize the event, as well as what she hopes the fest will accomplish. Jay Cooper of Southern label This is American Music also stopped by to share his thoughts. Click on the video above to see and hear what they had to say.

Although there are some notable absences — DKA Records, Mission Trips, Scavenger of Death and Muckman Records, among others — the label lineup still offers a nice cross-section of Atlanta’s diverse music scene. At press, the list of participating labels is as follows:

Anarchostar
Bear Kids Recordings
Blood Drunk Records
Boris Records
The Cottage Recording Company
Clandestine Ritual Records
Deer Bear Wolf Records
Embassy Recordings
Eskimo Kiss Records/Pretty New Songs
Fort Karate
Gospel of Rhythm Recordings
Psych Army
Stickfigure Recordings
This is American Music

As for musical performances, here is the most recent lineup as announced on the Facebook event page:

In Sonitus Lux
The Good Graces
Tedo Stone (solo)
Mara
Psych Army (DJ Set)
BearKnuckle
Coma Girls
Sydney Eloise & the Palms
DISTAL

The Atlanta Record Label Fest is all ages and will kick off at 6 p.m. Regular tickets are $5 at the door. VIP tickets will be available for $15 and include entry, an ATL Record Label Fest T-Shirt and a tote bag.

Background music in video by Jeffrey Bützer and the Bicycle Eaters.

More Info
Web: atlrecordlabelfest.com