Producing since the mid nineties, Sydney based Ashley Anderson initially recorded under the moniker of Moonrock with fellow producer illpickl. The duo released a self titled album in early ’98 to critical acclaim, and went on to contribute tracks to the internationally renowned “Cafe Del Mar”. Moving onto solo projects and a new moniker for the new millennium, Ashley Anderson morphed into Katalyst and continued to work as a producer both in Australia and in the UK.

He had his first solo release with a track on the internationally respected, “Dope on Plastic” compilation. Collaborating with many diverse musicians, Katalyst remixed and produced projects for numerous artists, including Dynamo Productions, Vassy, McKay, Eran James, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) and Machine Gun Fellatio with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow. The collaboration with Barrow proved more than fruitful, not only connecting on a creative level, they both saw a gap in the Recording Industry, and decided to pool their energy and resources into setting up the international record label, Invada Records. Joining forces with engineer Fraser Stuart, Ashley Anderson and Geoff Barrow set up the label INVADA Records in 2002. The success Invada had in Australia in 2002 prompted them to establish INVADA Records in the United Kingdom in early 2003. 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 the two most coveted DMA awards; “Best Producer” and “Best Album” at the 2002 Australian Dance Music Awards. “Manipulating Agent” featured guests that include Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Paul Johannessen (Upshot), Christina Charley (UK), along side DJ Leeroy Brown, tearing it up on the turntables.

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 contained tunes from 13 different producers, and two previously unreleased Katalyst tracks. Heralding UK producers such as Easton Rocks, 7Stu7, Purple Penguin and Dynamo Productions and Australia’s own Rhibosome, Crackpot, Tor, 2 Dogs, Danielsan (Koolism), DJ Soup, Idiot Proof, and Blunted Stylus to name a few. This release also gained immediate critical acclaim. Katalyst’s remix "Uprock This”, the first single off the album, went straight onto high rotation on Triple J. It was accompanied by a classic film clip. The clip utilizes footage from a legendary 1970s Australian Kung Fu flick, "The Man From Hong Kong", and has just been nominated for "Best Film Clip" at the 2003 DMA's. Katalyst has been nominated for “Best Producer” for the second year running, and Danielsan’s remix of "Passing Of Peace" has also been nominated for "Best Remix" at the 2003 awards.

2003 proved to be big year of touring and festivals for Katalyst. He has supported some of the biggest international acts to come to Australia, including DJ Shadow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, DJ Premier, Jurassic 5, The Roots. June saw the INVADA Tour with Dynamo Productions (UK) that was a national sell-out tour. Katalyst has played all the major festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Big Day Out, Homebake, and LIVID. He has been busy working on a host of production both for himself and for many other artists including the executive production of Eran James’ debut album on Universal. Recently returning from Europe where he was producing tracks for a new Invada Records artist, RuCL due for release early 2005.

Tourdates