Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Kingsley.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a mixtape brain. Music discovery has been one of my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve connected life to sound — I’m the person with a song for every situation. Growing up, I swore I’d be a radio DJ, but life rerouted me into a corporate path instead.
My parents took me to a lot of concerts — my first documented show was B.B. King in Chicago when I was two — and I’ve been chasing that live music feeling ever since.
I started my career in Chicago, working in entertainment and marketing. 5 years ago, I moved to Dallas looking for a fresh city and a fresh perspective. That shift reminded me how much I missed storytelling. Dallas is bursting with raw talent, and there’s still plenty of space for more outlets to cover it. I promoted bands in high school, and it felt like the right time to return to that passion (many, many years later) as an adult — to be one of the voices telling the stories and showcasing the sounds I hear and the artists I meet.
That’s when I started writing about music again.
What started as documenting shows I was already going to eventually evolved into DallasAF Music — a project I’ve grown in collaboration with the DallasAF brand to give the city’s music scene a stronger identity and louder voice.
Today, we cover the DFW music scene daily — from indie and punk sets in Deep Ellum, to jazz showcases in Lakewood and Bishop Arts, to alt-country gigs out in Fort Worth, and the next soul artist playing to a room of 30 who should be playing to 3,000 (and sometimes does!).
I’m not here to be a critic — I’m here because I love music. I want to support the people who make it, the venues that fight to keep it alive, and the community that keeps showing up, night after night. DallasAF Music is for the lifers — the ones in the pit, at the merch table, and out in the crowd because they need to be.
We’re just here to spotlight the talent that’s out there doing the work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course it hasn’t been a smooth road — but honestly, I didn’t expect it to be. It’s a labor of love, built on my personal time, often in the middle of the night after a full day of work.
The Dallas music scene is vibrant, but getting people to pay attention — especially to local coverage — takes serious hustle. Earning trust, carving out a space, and staying consistent in a city this big isn’t easy. Add a full-time day job on top of that, and the balancing act gets real.
But over time, something cool happened: the community started showing up. Now I’ve got a growing network of collaborators — the DallasAF brand, venues, musicians, photographers, and fellow music junkies who believe in the mission and contribute in their own way. That’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey: watching something that started as a solo project evolve into a collective effort to lift our scene.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run DallasAF Music on Instagram — a daily guide to the DFW music scene that covers everything from small venue shows to big-ticket headliners. I go to a lot of shows, create reels, write recaps, build playlists, partner with venues and brands for giveaways, and spotlight the artists, venues, and communities that make this city unique.
I specialize in music coverage that feels personal, immersive, and real. I’m on the ground, talking to bands, dodging mosh pits to get the content, and capturing what it actually feels like to be there. I lean into a storytelling style influenced by gonzo journalism — bold, a little unfiltered, and always written from the perspective of someone who genuinely loves music.
I’m most proud of how much it’s grown — not just in audience, but in community. Bands have told me they’ve gained new fans and booked shows because of it. Music lovers discover new sounds through it all the time. That’s the real win — knowing the work is actually making a difference for the artists creating the soundtracks to this city, and for the fans who might show up simply because they heard about a band on DallasAF Music.
I’m not here to gatekeep or talk over anyone — I’m here to amplify what’s already happening and help fill the venues. It’s not about being seen — it’s about helping the music scene. DallasAF Music is about putting the spotlight where it belongs — on the people making it happen.
What are your plans for the future?
2026 will bring more storytelling, more collaborations, more giveaways, and more spotlight on artists. I’ve been building momentum with daily show schedules, intermittent reels, and monthly playlists highlighting local bands and who’s coming through Dallas — and I plan to keep pushing that forward.
There are a few new ideas taking shape — some creative shifts I’m exploring that might open up new ways to connect with the scene.
Each year, DallasAF Music also volunteers for the Hope Healing Cancer with Music event at the Granada Theater — a powerful benefit happening again on February 22nd. It’s an incredible cause and an organization I’m proud to support.
Some things are still taking shape behind the scenes. I’m keeping it close for now — but I’m excited for what’s on the horizon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dallasaf.com
- Instagram: DallasAFMusic
- Facebook: DallasAFMusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/1247437005?si=gXeytSvGTJWZQ72t7zbHjA&nd=1&dlsi=7b9b82c8e1c6404e
Image Credits
Erin Parisi – Photographer for the first 7 photos – at Three Links, Doublewide, Twilite and Charlies venues.
Photo with Cowboy Hat Man/me – Max Diaz Indie Rock Star
Photo with Wutang Clan’s Raekwon
Photo with Teresa Esguerra
Photo with the Band Weakend Friends
