 |
 |
 |
|
In a world full of one-dimensional 'popular' music, it is rare to find a
musical act with such diverse styles and talents as the POCKET DWELLERS.
This eight-piece outfit is a multi-talented, multi-instrumental and
multi-influenced collective. Musicians, ranging from classically or jazz
trained, to street-smart and self-taught, the POCKET DWELLERS bring their
diverse talents together to create a whole new sound that is anything but
conventional. The line-up includes guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, a cadre
of horns, a couple of turntables, a hip-hop M.C. and a wallop of energy!
The POCKET DWELLERS meld all of these colours into one unique and powerful
sound. Funk, soul, hip-hop, rock, jazz, drum & bass--all representing the
sound of today's streets, these styles of music are blended to create the
sound of the POCKET DWELLERS.
The POCKET DWELLERS began performing in and around Toronto in 1996 and have
been developing an extremely diverse audience ever since. With hundreds of
performances across Canada under their collective belt, these guys can
entertain any audience. The POCKET DWELLERS have opened for a very wide
range of different musical acts, including such notable performers as Maceo Parker,
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Wide Mouth Mason, The Rascalz, Treble Charger,
Clifford Gilberto (Ninja Tune), N'Dea Davenport, G. Love and the Special
Sauce, Rahzel (The Roots), Ivana Santilli and jazz great Charlie Hunter.
They have also performed at a broad range of festivals such as Edgefest,
North by Northeast, Canadian Music Week, JVC Acid Jazz Festival, the
Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the Du Maurier Atlantic
Festival, the Hillside Festival, and the Dawson City Music Festival.
Earlier in 2000, the POCKET DWELLERS' ground breaking sound won the heart
and mind of multi-Juno Award winning producer, Michael Phillip Wojewoda
(Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics, The Waltons), joining them in the studio and
recording an album that captures the passion of their live show and the
creativity of the collective. "DIGITALLY ORGANIC," the band's second album,
captures the essence of much of the more popular contemporary sounds, while
also exploring and stretching musical boundaries. "Instead of going into
the studio and recording machine-made hip-hop beats, I play organic beats on
a drum kit," says Marco Raposo, the group's drummer. "Though the norm right
now is programmed sounds, we use a live element. We're creating synthetic
music, but with organic roots."
The POCKET DWELLERS continue to steadily grow as musicians and to steadily
win over audiences with their constant touring and incredible live
performances. "Being eclectic allows us to draw from so many different
facets of music," explains saxophonist Dennis Passley. "Like we're not just
drawing from the funk crowd--we're drawing from hip-hop, jazz, rock and
soul." And with a manifesto that reads "To change and blur the lines of
music," the POCKET DWELLERS are poised to infuse and influence the music
scene today, while rising to popular acceptance with their innovative music.
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
