Oct 21, 2026
Mastodon, Weird Things, Pleiades, & More | ATL Arts Collective
Featured contributor Jordan Owen talks with Mastodon’s Troy Sanders about the Atlanta metal band’s new album and next chapter. Plus, we explore Where the Weird Things Are, preview Chamber Cartel’s boundary-pushing percussion performance, and get ArtsATL’s Best Bets for the week.
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Jordan Owen: Both Sides of the Beat
Our featured contributor is Jordan Owen, music journalist, producer, composer, ArtsATL writer, and guitarist for Axis of Empires. Owen joins Kim to discuss his love for Atlanta’s heavy metal music community and how his education at Berklee College of Music influences his journalistic practice. For Beats, Bites, and Sites, Owen recommends 529 in Atlanta for music, The Righteous Room for drinks, and the TEW Galleries for visual art.
Where the Weird Things Are
The surreal, upside-down parade, Where the Weird Things Are returns to Historic Fourth Ward Park on October 24. Kim talks with creative mastermind Chantelle Rytter about the event’s giant creatures, handmade gifts, live music from the Black Sheep Ensemble, and the opportunity to feed the Heebie-Jeebies your bad ideas.
Mastodon’s Troy Sanders on the band’s next chapter
Featured contributor Jordan Owen takes us inside the world of Atlanta metal legends Mastodon ahead of their October 22 show at the Eastern. Owen talks with bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders about navigating deep loss and lineup changes while shifting to a more immediate, streamlined sound on their new album, Marrow Deep.
Chamber Cartel brings Iannis Xenakis’ Pleiades to the Goat Farm
ArtsATL’s Doug DeLoach previews Chamber Cartel’s performance of Pleiades, a landmark percussion work by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis. Featuring unusual instruments and experimental musical ideas, DeLoach details the demanding work that the Atlanta ensemble performs at the Goat Farm Arts Center on October 24.
ArtsATL’s Best Bets
ArtsATL Executive Editor Shane Harrison rounds up the week’s arts and cultural events, including The Ring in concert at the Fox Theatre and the Atlanta theatrical premiere of CYCLE hosted by Killer Mike. Harrison also highlights Shepard Fairey's first solo exhibition in Atlanta, featuring more than 150 works, opening at ABV Gallery, with a reception on October 24.
Looking to stay connected to the people, performances, exhibitions, and ideas shaping Atlanta’s creative community? The ATL Arts Collective brings you the stories behind the city’s culture every Wednesday.
Special thanks to this week’s sponsors:
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Thank you to the CP Group and Downtown Atlanta Inc. for providing the ATL Arts Collective with a home at CTR Culture Studios.
Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois’ “Hit the Deck” from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. Jordan Owen composed all other original music in this episode. Set art by Gina Thompson.
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00:00 Ad
00:45 Welcome & Jordan Owen
01:33 Preview: Where the Weird Things Are
08:37 Jordan Owen — Education, Teaching & Interviewing Approach
17:08 Interview: Troy Sanders (Mastodon) — Marrow Deep
27:34 Preview: Chamber Cartel’s Pleiades at the Goat Farm
36:50 Beats, Bites, and Sites — Jordan’s Atlanta Picks
40:09 Best Bets — Shane Harrison
45:20 Show Close & Credits
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