Asian Dan

Nick Catchdubs has made his rounds in the blogosphere and in the IRL music scene. From co-founding the one and only, Fool’s Gold Records to throwing the famed Flashing Lights party in NYC and everything in between, he is a man of many musical hats. Nick was kind enough to throw together this mix of some his favorite tunes at the moment as well as answering a few questions about his and Fool’s Gold Records musical mission. So sit back and enjoy Nick Catchdubs’ “Pink Lemonade” Mix (Ha! I just got it.).

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Download: Asian Dan Presents Nick Catchdubs “Pink Lemonade” Mix

Asian Dan Q&A: Nick Catchdubs

1. Who is Nick Catchdubs and what is that you do? Why do you do what you do?

I guess the simple answer is that I am a DJ, musician and record label co-owner. I have worn a lot of other hats (designer, editor, writer) but not so much these days because I devote all my free time to the label and my own music. I have been DJing professionally for the past 7 years and have been running Fool’s Gold with A-Trak for almost 3 of those. As far as WHY I do what I do… I’ve just been obsessed with music and art and media and pop culture ever since I was a very little kid, this didn’t happen by accident. I would still be making my own stuff and thinking about different ways to put it out into the world it even if it wasn’t a “career,” you know?

2. You are co-pilot of the famed Fool’s Gold Records, how has the trip been so far since you guys took off? What is Fool’s Gold Recs main mission?

It’s been fun and satisfying to launch artists’ careers, and help our friends’ music make an impact in the world at large. The mission has always been the same: to share the world that we are a part of creatively – the people around us, our friends and peers, new talents we discover – with official releases that could really stand the test of time. To put out records that could transcend blogs (no offense) and individual scenes and genres, to build up the brand so that it really stands for something unique and high quality. If I humbly say so myself…
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Foals have written one of the most heart wrenching tunes of the year for me, “Spanish Sahara” – an introspective self-reflective piece that penetrates the mind and soul. Epic to say the least. UK 2-Step-ineer, Deadboy comes in and transforms the sparse tune into a dark Detroit dancefloor friendly tune, classic 909 drum samples and a slinky bassline that screams to the Detroit Dance gods. Be sure to check out the massive Deadboy tune, “If U Want Me” – fantastic sample, drum pattern and bassline.

I expect nothing less from Ali Love and Co, straightforward, well written synth Pop. Big drums, warm analog synths, and catchy falsetto hooks – everything I love about his music. Looking forward to his album “Love Harder” out 7.26.2010.

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Ali Love – Love in Darkness

Mr. A-Trak strikes back with “Dirty South Dance 2”, an ode to his hip-hop mash-up days – just think a 2manyDJs mixtape made for hip-hop/electro heads. Straight up party jams. Fun times.

Be sure to check out, A Conversation with A-Trak

I wish I could name my band after my last name. Matt Van Schie is one of the few and lucky in the world to follow in suit of the greats, Van Halen and Bon Jovi. Matt’s solo EP, Balmy Nights has been on repeat for the past few weeks for me. A fantastic collection of summer pop tunes. “Journey” is his latest single off the EP proceeding the great track “Saturday Night”. Van She Tech at the Brooklyn Bowl last weekend dropped this great remix of “Journey” by Teenagersintokyo a great dancefloor pleaser. Be sure to check out his uber sexy vid for “Journey” after the jump. A vid that chops up the French film “L’amant” by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

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Matt Van Schie – Journey (Teenagersintokyo)

Via the once extinct hyperbole.tv 🙂

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Not your typical production by HudMo. A very straight forward UK dance sounding take on UK Grimester, Wiley. Big choon.

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Wiley – Electric Boogaloo (Hudson Mohawke Remix)

I am excited that artists like Primary 1 and Penguin Prison are bringing back this super polished pop sound. I want to hear and see an artist really trying to make well produced catchy music along side a well put together image. I want to watch them strive for that irresistible and infectious sound. I’m sick of all the lo-fi, made in a garage chillwave stuff. Give me the over the top produced sound and absurdity that is Pop Music. While you are at it bring me back some Rock and or Roll.

A great voice in music once said “You gotta take the littlest things in life, man, and blow them all out of proportion, and thats Rock and Roll.” I totally agree, Mr. David Lee Roth. You speak the truth.

Checkout this fantastic surreal vid for Primary 1’s track “Princess” as well as this remix by the UK garage god, MJ Cole. Also if you have a chance to get your hands on the new MJ Cole “Riddem EP”, do it. MASSIVE tracks.

Bonus:
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Primary 1 – Princess (MJ Cole Remix)

The mysterious 18 year old Welsh producer Koreless crafted this 30 min minimix for the blog and answers a few questions that offer a slight peak into his musical mind. Be on the look out for new music and remixes from Koreless in the near future. Follow @koreless on Twitter.

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Asian Dan Presents Koreless “The Cranny Cast” Mix

Asian Dan Q&A: Koreless

1. Who is koreless? How would you describe your music?

My tunes are a blend of everything I’m feeling, on a musical tip or not. As cliché as it sounds, my whole life revolves around music. Everything that happens around me ends up going directly into my tunes.

2. What are your influences, musical or otherwise?

Early jungle is a huge influence, I was never there, but I wish I was. There’s an energy of tunes from that era, early 90’s, that’s just not comparable to anything else. I can’t quite pin point it, its the same with 2 step. It gives me a floating feeling, I was walking down Sauchiehall street, with “tom and jerry – on and on” playing through, and it was just amazing, everything sort of married together. Thats what I get from music, the right tune at the right time, just puts things into perspective. I work backwards from this when I make tunes, see what’s missing at that moment, and fill the gap.

3. What is the Glasgow electronic music scene like versus the rest of the UK? With acts like Rustie and Hudson Mohawke coming out of Glasgow it must feel like an exciting time.

Yeah Glasgow is a lively place to be just now, Theres a load of decent nights, Lucky me run ballers social club, pushing the beat side of things, Fortified and Numbers always have cool bookings as well, Kode 9, Floating Points, Zed bias to name a few… Theres mungos hi fi who run the reggae and dub nights, they booked congo natty not long ago whitch was absoloutly amazing!
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The midwest disco maven, Meroz returns with some deep funky filter house that Roule and the Chicago House Gods would be proud of. Get down y’all. Buy on Beatport now to hear all of tthis funky filter funk as well as a great remix by Gingy & Bordello.

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Meroz – Trump

It’s official. The 90s is back and it is somehow awesome sounding. Germany’s own Tensnake transforms the dark and weird house track, “Reckless (With Your Love) by Azari & III into a soulful and empowering 90s track a la Des’ree “You Gotta Be” meets Snap “I Got The Power” (Just wait till the end). Massive remix and massive talent courtesy of Tensnake and Azari & III, one of the top remixes of 2010.