Hidden Gems: Meet Blake Atchison of Full Circle Presents & Deep Tropics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Atchison.

Hi Blake, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was raised in Nashville and knew from an early age my true love was music. While my taste was never limited to one genre, electronic music stole my heart. As a freshman in high school, I recall sitting outside the Green Hills Donut Den in an older friend’s car. I heard Chemical Brothers & Aphex Twin for the first time and obsession struck. Throughout the high school journey, I was fortunate to have a fake ID that allowed me to attend concerts I wouldn’t otherwise have experienced. In my senior year, I snuck into the first Bonnaroo (sorry Superfly & ACE) and my life was forever changed. I continued to college, but a majority of my focus was traveling to STS9 shows and attending various live music events throughout the country. Eventually, I earned an Anthropology degree with a concentration in Sustainable Development.

My path then immediately led to the unexpected (and beautiful) journey to fatherhood. I moved home to be near my family. I searched for a career related to sustainability, but couldn’t land anything in Nashville. I went to a Bassnectar show at Exit/In being produced by an out-of-state booker and it struck me there weren’t enough local promoters doing EDM shows in the market. I never in a million years thought I’d be in the music industry, but had found my calling. Through blood, sweat, and tears I persisted and learned the business through a start-up company called Thick as Thieves from 2007-2009. I formed Full Circle Presents in 2010 and have booked, marketed & produced electronic, hip-hop & jam shows throughout Nashville and the southeast ever since. We now host 100+ concerts & events annually and don’t plan on slowing down.

In 2015, I decided it was imperative to throw a dance music festival in Nashville and landed on the name “Deep Tropics”. Alongside my twin brother Joel, we conceptualized what it would be culturally, musically, environmentally, and artistically. In 2017, Deep Tropics Music, Art & Style Festival was born. We later formed a non-profit Deep Culture whose mission is to curate experiences that activate the transformation of self, community, and planet. Deep Tropics are now Nashville’s premier house and bass music festival. We are the self-proclaimed “greenest party in the United States” and we’re serious. On August 25-27, 2022 we expect to host 10,000 ticket buyers (“tropical travelers”) in Bicentennial Capitol Mall and across multiple off-site venues.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have encountered countless struggles as an entrepreneur in the music industry that can often feel cutthroat. I had zero formal business education and have played a lot of catch-ups. A massive obstacle I’m still learning to juggle is being passionate, while not letting passion overdrive sound decision-making.

It’s easy to love an artist and it’s much harder to love an artist that can also sell tickets and sustain a company. Finding a healthy inner balance within a constant party environment has been a whole set of obstacles within itself. Finally, learning to turn work off and be present with friends and family is a constant challenge.

What makes you happy?
The people and culture I’ve discovered on my path are really what drive me. The growth in Nashville’s house music collective in particular is amazing to witness.

I’m grateful for an incredible team to work with. It’s empowering to be able to play a role in nourishing the community creatively through gatherings that spark inspiration. I’m finding joy in expanding beyond music into the wellness space.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fullcirclepresents.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/djdabble
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeepTropics/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deep_Tropics
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Y80rRdjxoN1muBwj4_JUQ
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/deeptropics

Image Credits
Deep Tropics Artwork by Aaron Martin