Smalltown DJs

The Smalltown DJs are the duo of Pete Emes and Mike Grimes - based in Calgary, AB, Canada. They both began DJing in the mid-90s and together started a weekly called Hai Karate at the Night Gallery Cabaret in August, 1999. In 2005 they moved the night to the newly opened Hifi Club - where it continues to run.
The sound of Smalltown DJs was born out of the ashes of old-style hip-hop block parties, punk rock shows at community halls and the early nineties rave scene. They also started a label called Bigfoot Records - on which the duo has released several mix cds and vinyl 12"s over the past few years - garnering attention and accolades from the far reaches of the globe.
In 2003, they opened Giant 45 - a clothing and record shop supplying Calgary's underground music and streetwear scene. They were featured on Canadian national television in April 2006 - on MuchMusic's Going Coastal. Circa Footwear has been sponsoring Smalltown's endeavors since 2000. Three Hai Karate Allstars remix EPs were released in 06/07 to celebrate the night.
Hai Karate & the Smalltown DJs have hosted and played alongside such artists as Afrika Bambaataa, Lateef, Lyrics Born, DJ Assault, Jeru the Damaja, Shad, Tommie Sunshine, Chromeo, Mike Relm, Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres, A-Trak, DJ Low Budget, Diplo, James Lavelle, Kool Keith, Z-trip and DJ Radar, Fort Knox Five, and Maseo from De la Soul among many others. They also toured with Steve-O from Jackass to promote his Out on Bail DVD. They also performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March 2007. In 2006 and 2007 they were nominated for best Calgary DJ in the Canadian Stylus DJ awards.

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