Published: September 03, 2010

(IN PHOTO) The Swollen Members, along with over 70 of electronic and hip hop’s most exciting musical artists will be performing in Merritt as part of the Electric Mountain Music Festival’s inaugral event. The festival is taking place on the Merritt Mountain Music festival site and will utilize the two existing stages simultaneously to present its extensive line up. Pictured left are the members of Swollen Members who have recently been added as headliners for the event. Photo submitted

The Electric Mountain Music Festival is set to fill the valley with some of the most exciting musicians in electronic and hip hop music today

With two stages and over 70 performers the two day event is all set to create an entirely new musical experience for Merritt.

Gates are scheduled to open at 9am, September 4th and will close at 10pm every night.

There will also be a contest for aspiring musicians called The Electric Throwdown, this is billed as a no holds bar DJ contest where contestants are given the shot to show their talents and perform in front of a diverse crowd.

The winner of this event will earn a slot on next years main stage as well as a trip for two to Mexico.

The Swollen Members have been added to the bill and have played Merritt in the past and are playing behind a new album. Since the release of their first album, Swollen Members have toured constantly, hitting every major market in the world, performing hundreds of shows a year in front of audiences of up to 15,000 people.

Publications around the world have given Swollen Members’ music and live shows excellent coverage, and their tracks receive strong airplay on both commercial and college radio.

Also added to the bill is Kelowna artist Excision.

Taking influence from DnB, Metal, and Hip Hop, Excision is an artist who must be heard to fully believe. Combining the morphing bass lines of Drum and Bass, the aggressive energy of Metal, and the laid back vibes of hip hop, Excision’s style is incomparable. This young Canadian’s passion for music has already driven him to become one of the biggest Dubstep acts of North America.

With some of the newest and most exciting names in electronic music slated to play this Labour day weekend, festival organizers are positive about this years lineup and their ability to grow this event into something remarkable. Another act to look for are Juno Award winners The Rascalz.

The Rascalz, first broke ground in 1993, with their debut album “Really Livin”. The title track won Best Rap Video at The MuchMusic Video Awards, and put them on the map as major players in the world of Canadian hip hop. Their sophomore effort, Cash Crop, was released in 1997.

The album won a Juno award for Best Rap Recording, and the track “Dreaded Fist”, garnered the group another MuchMusic video award (Best Rap video).

During the release of Cash Crop, Rascalz united fellow Hip Hop artists from across Canada, to participate in the groundbreaking track and video for Northern Touch. The all-star performance was a preview of what was about to come.

The following year, The Rascalz performed Northern Touch, with all the aforementioned guest appearances, on the live, televised broadcast of the Juno awards.

They won the 1999 Juno Award that year for Best Rap Recording, Northern Touch.

Gate tickets are $180.00 for the weekend and day passes will be available for the Sunday shows.