As we learned shooting with the Barenaked Ladies about the defunct Ultrasound Showbar, making a film about a venue that no longer exists isn’t easy. Director Charles Officer combed old hip-hop haunts and the remnants of Planet Mars’ residencies, eventually settling at the Neu+tral basement club in Kensington Market. But stopping there would be too easy: D-Sisive’s film grew to include a crew of hip-hoppers and one mysterious ostrich…
Archive for the ‘D-Sisive’ Category
Production Dairy: D-Sisive at Planet Mars
October 13, 2009Artist Announcement: D-Sisive at Planet Mars
October 12, 2009
Toronto hip-hop has been on the global map for more than two decades now, but most performers and producers (unless their name starts with the letter K) are still flying under the radar of the masses. One of our favourite local MCs is D-Sisive, who has been getting some well-earned attention this year, including a Juno nomination and Polaris Music Prize nod. The artist also known as Orville Knoblich likes to keep a certain amount of mystery to his persona but we managed to unearth some true tales of how he got his start in the underground scene of Planet Mars.
D-Sisive wins Echo Songwriting Prize
October 6, 2009Congratulations to D-Sisive, who just took home $5,000 and the title of Best Songwriter in the Land. OK, it was his track “Nobody with a Notepad” (co-written with Robert Baker) that won SOCAN’s fourth Echo Songwriting Prize yesterday. That’s still pretty good.
The nominees for the prize were created by a panel of 10 music critics, while the winner was selected by public vote. So the people have spoken and D-sisive is this year’s winner.
To celebrate, D-sisive has released a new track for free download. “Why?” Get it here!
Stay tuned for information about our City Sonic film with D-Sisive. It’s a beauty.
Get Outside 9/4: D-Sisive at Silver Dollar tonight!
September 4, 2009Under Pressure is an artful Canadian magazine devoted partly to hip-hop culture published twice yearly out of Montreal. Tonight they host quite the fundraising party at Toronto’s Silver Dollar club, featuring City Sonic artist D-sisive alongside DJ Serious, Angerville, Spesh K, Empire and more. I’m actually a bit perplexed on how it can be a fundraiser with no cover charge but they’ll be selling raffle tickets for choice prizes like studio time, art and clothing. There’s also a freestyle battle planned for the brave. 486 Spadina Avenue at Colleage. FREE!
Vote for Sebastien Grainger and D-sisive to win $5,000 Echo Songwriting Prize
September 3, 2009Congrats to City Sonic artists Sebastien Grainger and D-sisive for making the Top 5 short list for this year’s Echo Prize. The songwriting award is presented by SOCAN and comes with $5,000. The winner is determined by public vote so go on over to the virtual polling booth where you can listen to Sebastien’s “Love Can Be so Mean” or D-sisive’s “Nobody with A Notepad” and cast a vote for your favourite. (There are other fine nominees too, but we’re unabashedly biased.) You can vote once a day until the contest closes September 29.
