Penticton music producers Mad Melody Records is switching to electronic grime and back to hip hop for two shows this week.
On June 13 at Fibonacci Café Mad Melody Records presents the Summer Meltdown, a purely DJ-based show. They are bringing a variety of Okanagan electronic DJ's including glitch mid-tempo music from Mode, down-tempo funk from Parmley, dubstep from Mo Watts and Mad Melody's own drum and bass artist Step One.
With a mission to be a diverse enterprise, Mad Melody covers artist services such as management, audio and video production and various promotions to separate them from the rest.
"We want to showcase all local music and not just restrict ourselves to hip hop, because there is so much talent from the Okanagan that is top notch, but not noticed," said Robb O'Day, co-owner of Mad Melody Records.
It is why the company has diversified as of late.
"We want to make it known that MMR's duty to serve all local artists, we don't want people to think our brand and company is a hardcore rap group," said Harley Pyrozyk, co-owner of Mad Melody Records.
On June 15, Mad Melody will bring back hip hop with an event at Bar One in Penticton. MMR artists MC Bodhi, P-City and the duo's Adanacmorf and The Highcrime will open for one of western Canada's established hip hop giant, Emotionz. He is Vancouver's representative and undefeated champion of the rap battle competitions King of the Dot.
Dave Nelson, aka Emotionz, is a true underground success story. Once signed to a major record label, he left on his own decision after he witnessed the fast declines of the label. He returned to a thriving underground hip hop scene to be true to himself. As an accomplished beatboxer, visual artist, producer and active hip hop artist with a fully booked summer schedule — including two sets at Shambalaha festival — he is only making one stop in Penticton this summer.
Wednesday's DJ event at Fibonacci is $2 if you arrive before 8 p.m. and $5 after at the door. On Friday at Bar One, the show gets started at 9 p.m. and has a $5 cover charge.