The Pocket Dwellers are a Canadian seven-member experimental hip-hop group from the Toronto area. The band's main genre is hip-hop, but their music is influenced by jazz, funk, soul, and breakbeat.
History The Pocket Dwellers began forming together in 1996. That year the band performed at EdgeFest in Toronto.. Chart Attack, Aug 9, 2001. In 1999, the band performed in Hamilton as part of Showcase '99.. Chart Attack, Shawn Despres, August 22, 1999
The Pocket Dwellers released their first full-length record in 2000 after they signed a recording deal with Song Corp, and a second album, Digitally Organic, later that year.. Chart Attack, October 31, 2000 By: Debbie Bento Song Corp went bankrupt in early 2001, leaving the second album with no promotion.
The next release was the album recorded live during sold-out performances at a club in Toronto called the Reverb. The recording was released under Urbnet records.
In 2005, they signed with Blue Note/EMI and released PD-Atrics. The recording was more hip hop based and involved less live instrumentation than had been employed in the past."The Sum of Pocket Dwellers' Parts". Exclaim!. By Susana Ferreira, Jan 01, 2006 In 2006, the band was nominated for a Juno award for best new group."Nickelback leads in Juno nominations". CBC Arts Feb 15, 2006"Pocket Dwellers come into their own". By MARK DANIELL -- For JAM! Music, February 28, 2006
Members Member roster of The Pocket Dwellers.
Dennis Passley "Deknow"° – tenor saxophone Nigel Williams "N.I.Gel" – vocals John Griffith "Quest" – saxophone, flute Marco Raposo "Red""Pocket Dwellers find new horizons". Queens University Journal, September 27, 2005 – drums Gord Shields "Jupiter"° – bass guitar Christian McKibbin "Holy C" – guitar Sheldon Moore "S-luv" – turntables Dave Leitao "Epstein" - keyboard guest musicians: Brownman Ali – trumpet
Discography Albums Limited Edition - EP (1998) Digitally Organic (August 29, 2002)"Pocket Dwellers Digitally Organic". Exclaim!, By Del F. Cowie. Dec 01, 2000 Lifecheck (August 19, 2003) PD-Atrics (October 4, 2005) Conception: The Mix Tape Volume 2 (2005)
References
Pocket Dwellers at allmusic.com