Producing since the mid nineties, Sydney based Ashley Anderson initially recorded under the moniker of Moonrock with the late Illpickl, releasing a self titled album in early ’98 to critical acclaim, and went on to contribute tracks to the internationally renowned Cafe Del Mar. Katalyst, he had his first solo release with a track on the internationally respected, Dope on Plastic compilation.
May 2002 saw the release of the Katalyst’s debut album Manipulating Agent. The first release for Invada Records, this well crafted album received remarkable acclaim. Initially Triple J album of the week, the album went on to earn Katalyst an ARIA Nomination for Best Dance Artist and won the two most coveted DMA awards; Best Producer and Best Album at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards. Late 2002 Katalyst enlisted some top Australian and UK producers to remix tracks from his album, Manipulating Agent. The result was the remix album Agent Manipulated. Released in April 2003, it cemented his position as one of the premier producers in Australia.
In 2007 Katalyst released the long awaited follow up album What’s Happening enlisting guest vocalists from the US, the UK and Australia featuring J-Live, Stephanie McKay, Steve Spacek, Supernatural, Diverse, Katie Noonan, Mat McHugh (The Beautiful Girls), Adalita (Magic Dirt), Ru C.L, Hau (Koolism) and more… What’s Happening was Feature Album on Triple J in Sept 2007 and soon after was nominated for the prestigious J Award followed by another ARIA nomination in 2008. What’s Happening was released worldwide on UK label BBE. Katalyst is in the esteemed company of artists such as J-Dilla, Jazzy Jeff, J-Live, Pete Rock and many more. The collaboration with Steve Spacek on the album was licenced to Giles Peterson’s Brownswood Bubblers compilation and was in his top 20 tracks for 2008.
Katalyst went on to form a group with Steve Spacek called Space Invadas. Steve Spacek, is the acclaimed voice behind the UK groundbreaking group Spacek. Championed by everyone from Entertainment Weekly to Mos Def. Has worked with the likes of J Dilla, Slum Village, Common and many more. The UK born Spacek now resides in Sydney, Australia.
Space Invadas is International soul music for 2010 straight out of Australia. Key DJs around the globe are championing the record. Giles Peterson on BBC1, Garth Trinadad on KCRW in LA, Tyler Askew in NYC, Andrew Jervis (Ubiquity) Friday Night Sessions in San Fran to name a few. The album has had glowing reviews and all 4 singles have been smashed on radio across Australia. The album was nominated for an ARIA Award 2010 and has been signed internationally to BBE Records which saw Feb 2011 release.
Katalyst & Kween G (KillaQueenz) have just shot a new clip for Katalyst’s new single Ready To Drop, taken from his forthcoming album. The track pays homage to the early days of hip hop. Ready To Drop is a nod to the early 80s New York scene. Shot in Sydney featuring Katalyst’s XP Coupe.
Available via iTunes: Ready To Drop – Single || Katalyst Music || Soundcloud
