MellowHigh – Record Release Party At Los Globos

Los Angeles – “Weed is tight.” This was the message MellowHigh preached. It’s easy to say that as the blunt smoke sifted up into the air and joints changed hands this night was all about the dope, son. The stoned grouping of Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats and Left Brain from the Odd Future collective spawned MellowHigh. After some studio sessions during the recording of The OF Tape, Vol. 2. the trio got high and the high got going. Marijuana, the great uniter.

Upstairs at Los Globos the costumed and non-costumed alike smashed their bodies toward the front. Dark and hazy the random flickering of lighters lit corners of the room. As soon as the afro wigged Left Brain stood behind the turntables the arms went up. Dropping the beat to “Bitches” the red-eyed Domo and the always-jumpy Hodgy erupted from the side of the stage. Spitting over the minimalist beat that would make Casio keyboard blush the emcees had the blazed crowd on lock.

The record release show played like raging party on the brink and Hodgy was genuine when thanking the crowd for coming out and supporting his most recent effort. “This night’s really special.” He says. “It’s the first time I’m selling something and I’m excited as fuck.” With the collective hailing from Los Angeles the evening wasn’t without its guest appearances.

After running through the 90’s boom box worthy “Extinguisher” and the drowsy glitch of “Self Titled” the crew launched into the fast flowing synth of “Rella.” On cue with his “knock knock/who is there/it’s me” verse Tyler, the Creator ran on stage like wild bull. As he barked through the remainder of the song the audience erupted upon seeing OF’s charismatic de facto leader.

There is something to be said about recreating songs live when all the appropriate emcees are present. Hearing a guest’s verse through the sound system while the rest is done live is wack and oftentimes a group’s best offering can’t be done justice because people can’t be everywhere at once. Nights like tonight can spoil when the tracks are equipped with all the right personnel in the building.

With Tyler acting as the hype man and contributor, the night’s set not only highlighted tracks from MellowHigh’s debut, but also featured songs from the various solo efforts from the collective’s extensive catalog. Among the best were Domo’s love song to Mary Jane entitled, “Me and My Bitch,” Tyler’s “Rusty” where he didn’t even bother with the beat and did his verse acapella, and Hodgy’s slick throwback, “Cookie Coma.”

Though MellowHigh benefits from operating under the Odd Future umbrella they are talented in their own right. While Tyler and Earl Sweatshirt are the most celebrated, Domo, Left Brain, and Hodgy are quickly on the rise to be the next ones on deck for more widespread recognition. After all, who couldn’t use a few more weed anthems?

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Ian Joulain

Somewhere between Sublime’s 40oz. to Freedom and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic something clicked inside a young Ian Joulain’s mind. His love for music had taken root and the only way to satiate this newfound passion was mass consumption of any and all genres. While gravitating toward punk rock, hip-hop, and jazz he discovered his distaste for pop-country, but blames that mostly on the excess of tractor and NASCAR mentions in the genre’s lyrics. That said, Joulain has never met a drink that was too stiff or a beach that he didn't like. He hopes to one day hug a koala and would love to ask Greg Ginn why he’s such a dick.