Producers' Circle

The vibe

Overview

Event formats:

Guests

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  Luke Smith

  Station Manager at CIUT-FM

  Luke Smith is the Station Manager at CIUT-FM, the campus radio station at the University of Toronto. Prior to joining one of the largest campus station's in the country, he worked for the National Campus and Community Radio Association. While there he co-founded the Music Director's Alliance, created a universal music submission form, and presented on how musicians can access campus and community radio stations. While at the NCRA/ANREC Luke worked on the creation of the Earshot Distribution System.

• 

  Nicholas Lloyd-Kuzik

  Artist, Producer, Engineer

  • instagram@_superphenix

  Superphenix (Nick Lloyd-Kuzik) is an artist, producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, based in Toronto, ON. His sound draws energy from 80s and 90s synth-pop, new wave, rock, and electro, with layers of contemporary indie and alternative production. His recently released debut singles ('TV' and 'Beyond the Frame') have been featured on notable retrowave and pop playlists on Spotify and have received radio play in Toronto (CIUT 89.5 FM) and Ottawa (CHUO 89.1 FM).

  His arrangements are rich with nostalgic textures, punchy transitions, and feature lush synth layers under vocals ranging from fierce and longing 80’s rock to upbeat electro-pop.

  Superphenix has gained momentum quickly since his first release in 2022, most recently being selected for the 2023 RBC Launchpad Music Entrepreneurship Program out of Artscape Daniels Launchpad in Toronto.

• 

  K-Cut

  Producer, DJ

  Kevin McKenzie professionally known as K-Cut, is a Canadian record producer and DJ, most notably as a member of East Coast hip hop group Main Source.

  In 1989, Main Source released their first independent 12" single, "Think" b/w "Atom", under the mentorship of producer/engineer Paul C. On July 17, 1989, Paul C was murdered in his home; K-Cut later stated that Main Source "basically inherited Paul C's style" and strove to "carry the torch" of his sound going forward. During this period, K-Cut helped teach DJ Premier sampling techniques on the E-mu SP-1200. After self-releasing their second 12" single "Watch Roger Do His Thing" in 1990, the group signed to Wild Pitch Records.

  In 1991, the group released their debut album, Breaking Atoms, which is regarded as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Although Large Professor produced the majority of the album, K-Cut was praised for his "creative, energetic scratching", particularly on the track "Peace Is Not the Word to Play", which he produced. Also that year, K-Cut's production appeared on Queen Latifah's album Nature of a Sista', and he produced the bulk of The Black Tie Affair, an album by Toronto rapper Maestro Fresh Wes, which was certified gold in Canada.

  The following year, K-Cut produced the Main Source single "Fakin' the Funk", which appeared on the White Men Can't Rap soundtrack and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. In 1993, he produced the Fu-Schnickens single "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)", featuring Shaquille O'Neal, which peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold in the United States. That year, Large Professor left Main Source due to business differences, with K-Cut taking over as the main producer for their 1994 album Fuck What You Think. The album's single, "What You Need", was sampled for Madonna's 1995 worldwide hit "Human Nature", which credits K-Cut as a songwriter.

  By the late 1990s, K-Cut moved back to Toronto, further contributing his production to the city's hip hop scene. In 1997, he produced the Infinite single "Gotta Get Mine" (featuring Divine Brown) and contributed to Citizen Kane's EP The Epic, both of which were nominated for a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording. He also produced two tracks for Choclair's 1999 debut Ice Cold, which won the aforementioned Juno Award.

• 

  Davy

  Music Guy

  Hey! I’m Davy, a 22 year old born and raised Torontonian, a full-time producer, and a person generally passionate about spreading love and awareness through art. Beginning as a basement producer in grade 10, I went on to graduate OIART a year after highschool, interned at Secret Door under Tim Abraham, and transitioned into making a living as freelancer. I run a recording studio named Secret Garden, and work out of Signal as a published producer under SNGL. I’ve released many singles this year with various artists from around the city and am focused on building my brand of Panpsyche in the coming months. I love Flume, TTNG, Shlohmo, Jon Hopkins, Philip Glass, Travis Scott, Toro Y Moi, Nosaj Thing, Ross From Friends, and probably you!

Facilitators

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  Bill Xu

  UTSC Student, Online Community Lead

  Bill Xu (He/Him) is a seasoned musician with years of experience working with a diverse pool of genres. He is in his third year, studying neurosciences. He helped to shape the music production community, leading and culturing a comfortable space at the Hart House Producers’ Circle. He also teaches and fosters a passion for musical development. With his experience and dedication to the community, Bill is committed to pushing new ideas in the creative industry.

  What does Hart House mean to you? Or alternatively, what is your favourite thing about Hart House?

  The Hart House community is unique and acts like a hub for creativity. I felt comfortable sharing and learning from others, I remember when I first got involved, I was very surprised by how welcoming the atmosphere was, that has to be my favourite part of Hart House. I had heard how monotonous university life could be but Hart House wasn’t like that at all, after leading some events myself I’ve heard the same comments from newcomers. There were plenty of opportunities and events you could get involved in and I’m really grateful to the people that maintain the space.

• 

  Marco Adamovic a.k.a. Vic Adamo

  Program Coordinator

  Marco is an educator and cultural producer. As an educator, Marco strives to facilitate positive and healthy environments for creativity, connection, and collaboration to thrive. As a cultural producer, he is a multi-instrumentalist, beatmaker, songwriter, and organizer of the things. He works with people, machines, and (mostly) good ideas. His family emigrated to Turtle Island in the 1970s from the former Yugoslavia. Marco is a graduate of the Mille Rotman Shime Academic Bridging Program, an alumnus of Katimavik, and holds an M.Ed in Leadership, Adult, and Higher Education from the University of Toronto. In closing, Ball is Life.

Other things to know

Co-presented by