Katalyst (musician)

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Katalyst
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Ashley Anderson
Alias = Katalyst
Born =
Died =
Origin = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Instruments = Vocals
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation(s) = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1998–present
Label = Universal Music
Invada Records
Related_acts =
URL = [http://www.katalystmusic.com.au/ Official website]

Katalyst (real name Ashley Anderson) is an Australian DJ/Producer, who won awards at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards for Best Album and Best Producer.

Biography

Anderson initially recorded under the name Moonrock with fellow producer Michael Wright (aka Illpickl). Moonrock released a self titled album in 1998, and went on to contribute tracks to the internationally renowned Cafe Del Mar compilation albums (Volume 6 (1999) and The Best Of (2003)). [cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Moonrock |title=Moonrock discography |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2008-04-08]

As Katalyst, he had his first solo release with a track on the "Dope on Plastic" compilation in 2001. That year also saw him form experimental record label, Invada Records, together with Portishead's Geoff Barrow. Inavda Records' has released records from acts like Amusement Parks on Fire, Flow Dynamics, RuC.L and ARIA-award-winning group Koolism. [cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/label/Invada+Records |title=Invada Records discography |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2008-04-08]

May, 2002 saw the release of the Katalyst's debut album "Manipulating Agent", the first release for Invada Records. The album was nominated at the 2002 ARIA Music Awards for 'Best Dance Release' and received two awards; 'Best Producer' and 'Best Album' at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards.

In late 2002 Katalyst enlisted a number of Australian and UK producers to remix tracks from his album, the result was the remix album "Agent Manipulated", released in April, 2003.

Katalyst's next release, "Katalyst Presents: Dusted - Essential Mix Of Rare Groove & Hip Hop Joints" (March, 2005), a mix of rare groove and hip hop songs, the two CD compilation features Anderson's favourite artists (including Public Enemy, Run DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, Nina Simone, Portishead and Sergio Mendes) together with a Katalyst track, "Let The Music Talk", featuring RuCL.

In August, 2007 Katalyst released his second album "What's Happening", enlisting guest vocalists from the US, the UK and Australia (J-Live, Stephanie McKay, Steve Spacek, Supernatural, Mat McHugh (The Beautiful Girls), Adalita (Magic Dirt), Ru C.L, Hau (Koolism)).

The album was nominated 'Best Urban Release' at the 2008 ARIA awards. [cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/major-aria-award-nominations/2008/09/10/1220857602578.html |title=Major ARIA award nominations |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=2008-09-10]

Katalyst has produced/remixed for artists, including Stephanie McKay, Gift of Gab, Ugly Duckling, Vassy, and The Beautiful Girls. [ [http://www.katalystmusic.com.au/bio.php Biography] , on Katalyst official website] He has toured with/supported live with The Roots, Jurassic 5, Ben Harper, DJ Shadow, Jack Johnson, DJ Premier, Guru and the Black Eyed Peas.

He is currently working on a new project with Stephanie McKay [ [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s2339809.htm] ] which she describes as "somewhere between Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and Gnarls Barkley" [ [http://www.soultracks.net/story-stephanie_mckay_interview] ]

Discography

Moonrock

* "Moonrock" (1998)

Katalyst

* "Manipulating Agent" (May, 2002)
* "Agent Manipulated" (remixes & unreleased) (April, 2003)
* "Katalyst Presents: Dusted" (v/a mix compilation) (March, 2005)
* "What's Happening" (August, 2007)

Awards/Nominations

*2002 Nominee - ARIA Best Dance Release - "Manipulating Agent"
*2002 Winner - Australian Dance Music Awards Best Album - "Manipulating Agent" [http://www.threedworld.com.au/content/view/2088/116/ Dance Music Awards History] ]
*2002 Winner - Australian Dance Music Awards Best Producer
*2007 Nominee - J Award - "What's Happening"
*2008 Nominee - ARIA Best Urban Release - "What's Happening"

References

External links

* [http://www.katalystmusic.com.au/ Katalyst, The Official Website]
* [http://www.invadarecords.com/Invada.php Invada Records official website]