Midsummer Madness

Midsummer Madness is an independent Brazilian record label based in Rio de Janeiro. Its origins lie in a photocopied music fanzine launched in 1989. Rather than beginning as a conventional commercial label, the project initially functioned as a grassroots platform for documenting and connecting parts of Brazil’s independent music scene. In 1991, the fourth issue of the fanzine included a cassette compilation, marking the organization’s first move into releasing recorded music. A second cassette accompanied the fifth issue in 1994. The project’s direction changed decisively in 1994, when it stopped producing further fanzines and concentrated on issuing cassettes by Brazilian independent artists. Early releases included music by The Drivellers and The Cigarettes. This transition gave Midsummer Madness a more sustained role as a label while retaining the do-it-yourself character of its fanzine beginnings. The format was important: at a time when independent music distribution in Brazil was constrained by cost and access, cassettes offered a relatively affordable means of circulating local recordings. In 1997, Midsummer Madness expanded into compact discs, issuing its first two CDs: Pelvs’ "Members to Sunna" and The Cigarettes’ "Bingo." The same year, it established a website that became an important part of its distribution and discovery strategy. The site broadened access to the label’s catalog beyond its immediate Rio scene, and a 2005 update added streaming and downloadable music samples together with an online shop for EP purchases. This digital presence helped the label continue presenting independent Brazilian music as listening and distribution habits changed. The label has also operated as a curator and event organizer. In 1998 it promoted a Rio de Janeiro festival called "Algumas Pessoas Tentam Te F*der," a Portuguese rendering of the title of a Teenage Fanclub song. The event was subsequently revived in later years, linking the label’s recorded output with live performance and community-building around independent music. By June 2008, Midsummer Madness was reported to have released 79 EPs in cassette, CD, and MP3 formats, along with 20 CD albums and more than 500 songs. Unofficial counters cited in reference material recorded sales of more than 5,000 cassettes and 18,000 CDs by that date. These figures illustrate the label’s substantial activity within Brazil’s independent sector, although they are historical estimates rather than audited financial disclosures. The label’s catalog included artists such as The Cigarettes, Pelvs, The Gilbertos, Stellar, Astromato, Casino, and Fellini. Rodrigo Lariu is identified as the owner of Midsummer Madness. Current operating status, present ownership beyond that historical identification, and the availability of its complete catalog are not established by the supplied sources.

Midsummer Madness began in Rio de Janeiro in 1989 as a photocopied fanzine connected to Brazil’s independent music culture. Its first recorded-music initiative came in 1991, when the fourth issue included a cassette compilation. A second cassette was issued with the fifth issue in 1994. That year, the organization ended its fanzine activity and redirected its resources toward releasing cassettes by Brazilian independent acts, beginning with recordings associated with The Drivellers and The Cigarettes. The label entered the CD market in 1997 with two initial releases: Pelvs’ "Members to Sunna" and The Cigarettes’ "Bingo." It also launched a website in 1997. The site became a significant promotional and distribution tool, particularly after a 2005 revision introduced streaming and downloadable samples and an online shop for EPs. This progression from photocopied publication to physical label and then to a web-enabled catalog reflects the changing technologies available to independent music organizations. Midsummer Madness extended its activities into concert promotion in 1998, organizing the Rio festival "Algumas Pessoas Tentam Te F*der." The title is a Portuguese translation of a Teenage Fanclub song title, and the festival was later held again. Through this combination of releases, online activity, and events, the label developed as more than a catalog owner: it served as a platform for artists and listeners associated with Brazil’s independent scene. Reference material reports that, from 1991 through June 2008, the label had issued 79 EPs across cassette, CD, and MP3 formats, 20 CD albums, and more than 500 songs. Unofficial counters cited at that time indicated sales exceeding 5,000 cassettes and 18,000 CDs. The catalog included releases by The Cigarettes, Pelvs, The Gilbertos, Stellar, Astromato, Casino, and Fellini. Rodrigo Lariu is identified as the label’s owner. Information supplied for this dossier does not establish a current release schedule, current staff, present ownership structure beyond that historical reference, or whether the original website remains operational.

• 2008

  Historical catalog and sales figures reported

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  By June, reference material counted 79 EPs, 20 CD albums, and more than 500 songs, with unofficial counters indicating sales above 5,000 cassettes and 18,000 CDs.

• 2005

  Website expanded with digital features

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  A website update added streaming, downloadable music samples, and an online shop for EP purchases.

• 1998

  First Algumas Pessoas Tentam Te F*der festival

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Midsummer Madness promoted its own festival in Rio de Janeiro, an event that was later revived.

• 1997

  First CD releases and website launch

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  The label issued its first two CDs, Pelvs’ Members to Sunna and The Cigarettes’ Bingo, and launched its website.

• 1994

  Shift to label operations

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  A second cassette accompanied the fifth fanzine issue, after which the organization stopped producing the fanzine and focused on releasing Brazilian indie music.

• 1991

  First cassette compilation

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  The fourth issue of the fanzine included a cassette compilation, marking the project’s first move into music releases.

• 1989

  Founded as a fanzine

  [1]Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org

  Midsummer Madness began in Rio de Janeiro as a photocopied fanzine focused on independent music.

A do-it-yourself Brazilian independent label and scene platform focused on local alternative music, low-cost physical releases, digital discovery, and live cultural programming.

• CD album · 1997

  The Cigarettes — Bingo

  One of Midsummer Madness’s two inaugural CD releases in 1997. It represents the label’s transition from primarily cassette-based distribution into compact-disc publishing.

• CD album · 1997

  Pelvs — Members to Sunna

  A Pelvs release issued in 1997 as one of the label’s first two CDs. Its publication marked an important expansion of Midsummer Madness’s physical catalog.

• CD album

  The Gilbertos — Eurosambas 1992–1998

  A cataloged Midsummer Madness CD associated with The Gilbertos and covering material from the 1992–1998 period.

• CD album

  Stellar — Ultramar

  A cataloged compact-disc release by Stellar, identified in the label’s discography as Ultramar.

• CD album

  Astromato — Melodias de uma Estrela Falsa

  A Midsummer Madness CD release by Astromato, included among the label’s documented album catalog.

• CD album

  Pelvs — Peninsula

  A cataloged Pelvs release issued by Midsummer Madness in compact-disc format.

• EP

  Casino — EP

  An EP listed in the label’s discography under the artist name Casino, illustrating Midsummer Madness’s continuing focus on shorter independent releases.

• CD album

  Fellini — Amanhã É Tarde

  A cataloged Midsummer Madness release by Fellini, titled Amanhã É Tarde.

• 1998Algumas Pessoas Tentam Te F*der festival

  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  Midsummer Madness promoted an in-house festival in Rio de Janeiro using a Portuguese translation of a Teenage Fanclub song title. The festival was subsequently reprised, extending the label’s activities into live music and scene-building.

  Outcome. The event returned in later years, according to the reference material.

  Source

• 2005

  Addition of digital discovery and online salesStrategy

  Background

  The label’s website had become an important way to reach listeners beyond its immediate local network.

  Action taken

  A major website update added streaming and downloadable samples and created an online shop for EP purchases.

  Aftermath

  The label gained a web-based route for promoting and selling its catalog, although later operational status is not established in the supplied sources.

  Source

• 1997

  Expansion into CD publishingProduct launch

  Background

  Following several years of cassette releases, the label broadened its physical format offering.

  Action taken

  Midsummer Madness released its first two CDs: Pelvs’ Members to Sunna and The Cigarettes’ Bingo.

  Aftermath

  The CDs became the starting point for a larger compact-disc catalog.

  Source

• 1994

  Concentration on record-label activityStrategy

  Background

  After issuing cassette compilations with its fanzine, Midsummer Madness faced a strategic choice about whether to continue as a publication or develop a more focused music-release operation.

  Action taken

  The organization stopped producing further fanzines and dedicated its efforts to releasing cassettes by Brazilian independent artists.

  Aftermath

  The change established the project as a record label and preceded its expansion into CD releases, online distribution, and live events.

  Source

1. 1Midsummer Madness (record label)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archived English Midsummer Madness websiteweb.archive.org