Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Han.
Hi Justin , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Music Mixer ATX was founded in 2022, fresh off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. As people started gathering again, I was eager to get back out and play music, but everything felt different — including me. The lockdown had given me time to sit with my goals and creative vision, and I realized the deeper reason behind music for me has always been about authentic, meaningful connection. I wanted to create something I had never experienced before: a space where likeminded musicians could come together to build something greater than the sum of its parts.
Our very first event wasn’t even at a venue — it was in a rehearsal room at SPACE Rehearsal Studios in South Austin. Even then, we had more musicians show up than we could fit in the room. From there, we took the event to the Historic Victory Grill in East Austin, where artists got to play on the same stage that once hosted legends like Ike and Tina Turner during the Chitlin’ Circuit days. We held a yearlong residency there before outgrowing the space and moving to The Highball on South Lamar, where we now host our monthly residency.
Since then, the Music Mixer ATX has grown into more than just a one-night event — it’s become a pipeline for musicians looking to kickstart their careers in the Live Music Capital of the World. Alongside our core Mixer events, where musicians meet and form new bands, we’ve launched Artist Showcases at venues like The Mohawk and Hotel Vegas. These shows give emerging artists stage experience, real connections, and promotional content to take their careers to the next level.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth — but honestly, the challenges are what fuel the Music Mixer ATX mission. Independent artists today face a tough landscape: they’re expected to wear every hat that record labels, promoters, and local scenes used to provide. Our purpose is to ease that burden and create a space where artists don’t have to do it all alone.
We’ve had our share of obstacles. We’ve lost power in the middle of a show. We’ve had venues close their doors on the very day of our event. We’ve dealt with last-minute cancellations, no-shows, brush-offs, and plenty of radio silence. In short, we’ve walked through the same struggles every indie artist knows all too well.
Instead of discouraging us, those challenges remind us why this work matters. Every obstacle pushes us to build a stronger, more resilient community — one where musicians can weather the ups and downs together, and where creativity can keep moving forward no matter what.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Music Mixer ATX is a live performance organization designed for musicians who are searching for bandmates, collaborators, and community. At its core, it’s produced by musicians, artists, and creators who share the goal of growing Austin’s live music scene from the ground up.
What makes us unique is the format: at our flagship Music Mixer events, we literally “mix” musicians into new groups on stage and give them the chance to perform together — often for the very first time. It’s messy, unpredictable, and electric, and it gives artists a chance to meet collaborators in a way that no rehearsal or networking event can replicate. Beyond that, we also host Artist Showcases at venues like The Mohawk and Hotel Vegas, putting Music Mixer-connected artists on real stages with real audiences.
We’re proud to be known as a launchpad for emerging artists — a place where careers, bands, and lifelong connections begin. Our brand stands for creativity, collaboration, and community. At a time when independent artists are expected to do everything alone, Music Mixer ATX exists to remind them that they don’t have to.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think we’re on the verge of radical transformation across the music industry — really, across all creative industries. Technology, social media, and nonstop media cycles are constantly reshaping how music is made, shared, and consumed. Artists are being pushed to keep up with trends that shift faster than any one person can control.
Amid all that noise, the only solid foothold we have is our connection to other human beings. Algorithms and platforms will rise and fall, but what doesn’t change is the power of people gathering in a room, sharing songs, and building something together.
That’s why I believe the most meaningful force in the next 5–10 years won’t be chasing virality or playing the game of metrics. It will be the real-life communities we build, supported by the digital tools we use to connect them. The artists and organizations that thrive will be the ones who invest in collaboration and shared vision. Music Mixer ATX is proud to be on the forefront of that shift, proving that when you put people together — the art follows.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musicmixeratx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicmixeratx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091886946998
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90711056/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MusicMixerATX/featured
Image Credits
Ryan White – @ohhryanniceshot
