Former Longhorn football star Will Matthews started the EXIT Music Group earlier this year, and this weekend, the entity brings us the “Born on the 5th of July” EXIT Music Fest. Waterloo Park hosts this 12 hour extravaganza that aims to blend music, art, and the spirit of Austin while also benefiting various charities in town. White Ghost Shivers, Patrice Pike, South Austin Jug Band, and The Unbearables are just a few of the bands that are a part of this extensive, eclectic line-up. Two other notable local acts playing the fest, The Black and White Years and The Boxing Lesson, were recently interviewed by a couple of Austinist staffers for Switchburn.com -- The Black and White Years interview and The Boxing Lesson interview.

As per the EXIT Music Group website, “EXIT Music Group launched officially January 2008. EXIT Music Group is a fresh and unique organization whose primary goal is to bring a range of creativity to music, art, and live performance. We are bringing talent, vision, and pure passion under the umbrella of artistry. The body of EXIT is composed of EXIT festivals, EXIT productions, bands, artists, fashion, soundstages, and artist development.”

Austinist caught up with Matthews recently to gather his thoughts on EXIT Music Fest and its objective.

What is the concept behind EXIT Music Fest and what made you feel the need to start this entity?

Will Matthews: As you know I have been a football player for as long as I can remember but I have always loved and wanted to be a part of the music business. I have grown up in a family that is blessed and talented in the arts and we love to get together and sing. Not only have I wanted to play my guitar, but I've wanted to be a part of carving out the mountain of sound and shaping the evolving music business. I turned to my heart to show me what I should do while I was on break from the football world. I know this idea for the festival was placed in my heart, so I took that and ran with it. There is something about the way music affects lives and this is my way to affect the world in a positive way. The concept behind EXIT Music Festival is to highlight Austin’s Music.

Follow the jump to continue reading our interview with Matthews. And get your tickets now -- use the promotional code July 5 for $5 off.

What are some of the charities you are working with and aim to aid?

Matthews: We are linked up with two great charities, The Shoreline House, and The Missy Project. The Shoreline House is an outreach ministry geared towards helping Austin’s homeless people. All through the week they extend a hand by giving out clothes, shoes, housing, and anything that could help out. They also have service and events on Saturday mornings with inspirational messages, music, and personal contact with all those in need. The Missy Project is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of Brain Aneurysm Disease (B.A.D.) in children through education, outreach and early detection. The founders of The Missy Project are close friends of the EXIT Family and we want to bring as much awareness to these issues as we can.

The music line-up is pretty impressive; what can we expect from the arts bit of the festival?

Matthews: You can expect live artists doing there work on site. Some of the best artists in Austin will be showing their art and doing collaborations with other artists at the festival. We have given our artists free reign to express their art and highlight what they do best.

No relation to EXIT Fest we assume?

Matthews: No! Although in the future we would love to put on a GREEN festival.

What is your favorite festival memory?

Matthews: Rage Against The Machine at Coachella. It was my first time to see them live and the air was thick with intensity. That band floored me I have never seen anyone rock so hard. You could smell the emotion radiating from the crowd. It was sick.

SxSW vs. Austin City Limits Music Festival vs. Fun Fun Fun Fest vs. Pachanga Fest vs. EXIT Music Fest -- Cage Match! Who wins?

Matthews: EXIT for sure but we would bring all the other festival's artists along with us because when you get down to it, it's all about the music! One thing that EXIT Music Festival does is make sure that everyone can get involved from the drum circles, kid friendly activities, art, food, on down to the gospel brunchers.

EXIT Music Group [Official] [MySpace]