Not surprisingly, I keep busy creatively speaking – and who can really blame me given the army of incredibly diverse and interesting people out there one has to ‘play’ with. Over the past couple of years I have been insanely blessed to have a friend in DANNiEL OiCKLE, founding artist/producer of TORRiD PRODUCTiONS, and photographer, visual artist, poet, musician and performance artist extraordinaire!
To be a part of TORRiD has been a huge enjoyment to say the least, and I have DANNiEL to thank for that. As a result this inclusion has opened up a lot of doors for me to meet and work with many interesting folks on a variety of things. Now that the time has come for me to pack up and ship out to Manitoba for a spell, it is also time for me to wrap things up with regards to the projects I’ve been working on with DANNiEL, and this is really bitter sweet. I can never be guaranteed to meet someone as gracious, helpful and ambitious as DANNiEL again in my life; and I can’t help but be proud to associate with this rare bird, for which I appreciate his feathers! DANNiEL represents to me a like-minded friend – with no shortage of differences, but a whole lot of similarities…. These weekly meetings at TORRiD PRODUCTiONS Headquarters have offered a home away from home and as a little side note I have to thank his partner YVES for the meals and hospitality (and a few much appreciated lectures on life, love and liberty for good measure!) when I leave there I do so with a full stomach, a broader mind, and a dizzy head from the drinks
!
Sentiments aside we had work to do: DANNiEL is about to release a book of poetry called ‘My Heart Has Teeth’ for which I was able to serve as editor. This book has been a long time coming, and is not a first for DANNiEL – who has published before and I’m certain will continue. Although it was a joy to partake in the editing process with DANNiEL, I am saddened by the fact that I can not attend his book release party at La Petite Mort, on August 18th. I do encourage anyone in the Ottawa area to check out the book launch, and for more information on ‘My Heart Has Teeth‘ and the launch please check http://www.lapetitemortgallery.com or scroll down to bottom of this entry. Thank you DANNiEL for including me in this process – and I was glad to assist you in any way! Best of luck with this book launch!
Also – recently we wrapped up a video shoot for CARiNG & HATE, off his album THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH (Torrid Pructions, 2012), which many of you might recall I have been involved with over the past couple of years as well. Although we have all agreed to hang up our fur shorts and horns in effort to explore other things – I have to reiterate again what fun it was to explore a more sensual side of myself; parading around in little clothing, consisting of horns and fuck-me boots… as a singer/songwriter I express in a particular way – certainly less physically than what was required of me on THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH – but it allowed me to perform, stretch my comfort zone and above all – enjoy the freedom of expression. DANNiEL OiCKLE all but created this fantasy world, for better or for worse – and I for one was and remain proud of him and the resulting music, performances and visual art that have been the off-spring of his brain child.
So you can expect CARiNG & HATE to come out sometime in the fall or winter – and this project involved a lot of very talented people; including photographers DAN ZiEMKiEWiCZ, BONNiE FiNDLAY, the people at MERCURY LOUNGE and of course, myself, DANNiEL and 
fellow fawn OLEXANDRA PRUCHNiCKY. Looking forward to seeing the final product of such labors!
Finally – we used last night to get me in the studio to lay down some vocals on a tune for DANNiEL’S next album, which has no release date at this time, although not surprisingly he is constantly toiling away and working on developing it. TO MY LOVE is a OiCKLE original, and a song that he wrote when he was just 17 years old. We included it in his production of THE CORRUPTiON of FLESH, performing it hundreds of times between all the rehearsals for shows and the performances themselves and so it was important to record while I’m still here. Take a look at the photos below – as he and I went to work on laying things down. Again – thank you DANNiEL for bringing me in on this track – I’ll tuck all my TORRiD memories away and pull them out from time to time in appreciation of all the wonderful things that have come from this time.
All in all it has been a great chapter – my involvement with DANNiEL and TORRiD PRODUCTiONS; and although I will remain a part of this fantastic crock-pot of people – it is still difficult to let that go entirely… how often in life can you come across such opportunity to explore??
August 18
Book Release Party & Performance August 18th, 8-11 pm
La Petite Mort Gallery
306 Cumberland Street
This isn’t your grandmother’s poetry! Danniel D.D. Oickle, author of “Dancing in Silence” (#4 Canada, 2011- iTunes Book Charts) is back with his second book, “My Heart Has Teeth.” On Saturday August 18th, from 8-11pm, Danniel would love you to join him for a celebratory book release party and performance reading at La Petite Mort Gallery, [306 Cumberland St., Ottawa, ON, K1N7H9, (613)860-1555]. The evening will include an exhibit and one-time sale of the illustrations from the book and a performance reading by Danniel Oickle and special guests: Olexandra Pruchnicky, Jesse Reynolds, Eric Trottier, Dan Francoeur, and Sarah Oickle. And of course, nothing makes verse sound better than a few drinks, so there will be a cash bar.
While maintaining his perspective in the new book, Oickle has matured in his themes and tonality. Ranging from tightly structured to free verse, he seamlessly flows from poem to poem, choosing the perfect structure to compliment the theme of the piece. Included in this collection are the audience favorites: “I’m Ever So Slightly Crazy,” “Love’s True Nature,” and “The Corruption of Flesh,” which one reviewer described as “emotional bloodletting” (2B Magazine). Oickle concludes the book with “The Fall,” a narrative opus in structured, free verse, and prose that serves as a masterful allegory for the end of days. Reminiscent of the prophetic works of the late Sir William Blake, Oickle weaves a tapestry of imagery, iconography, mythology, religion, sexuality, and symbolism throughout the book and corresponding artwork, often combining the two to create an even deeper layer of meaning.
Born at the dawn of the 80s, into the glitz and glamour of the time, Danniel has travelled extensively as the child of a Canadian military officer, from his birthplace on the prairies of Alberta to the sun-struck beaches of Cyprus. Receiving critical acclaim for his albums, “Poison Apples & Other Delicacies” and “The Corruption of Flesh,” Danniel has combined disciplines and methods of poetic presentation to become known as an “electro-poet” (Étre Magazine) intent on bringing poetry out of the mothballs and into the light of a new generation.
Reviews
“Oickle has created a piece where sexuality and religion collide to electric effect.”
- Luna Allison, Xtra! (Mar 15, 2012)
“Une nouvelle génération d’artistes.”
- Bruno Julien , RG Magazine (Sep 21, 2011)
“Oickle does not appear as if he is about to slow down.”
- Katherine Ellis, Bohemia Magazine (Aug 5, 2011)
“[A person] whose perfectionism is so accepting, whose exhibitionism manages to be humble, that their words make and heal scars at the same time”…”a half-man half-animal poet.”
- Jordan Arseneault, 2B Magazine (Dec 16, 2011)
