Katalyst is the recording name of Ashley Anderson, an Australian DJ and producer based in Sydney. He first works with producer illpickl under the name Moonrock, and the two release a self-titled album in 1998. Tracks from that album appear on many compilation albums in the late 1990s and help establish his solo career.

Solo releases

Katalyst’s debut solo album, Manipulating Agent, is released in 2002. It receives acclaim, wins the Best Album award at the Australian Dance Music Awards, and is nominated for Best Dance Artist at the ARIA Awards. In 2003 he follows it with Agent Manipulated, a remix album that includes previously unreleased Katalyst tracks and remixes of material from Manipulating Agent. The release appears as both a 15-track CD and an 8-track vinyl edition.

In 2005 he releases Dusted, a mix available as a double CD or double vinyl collection. The set spans music from the 1960s through to the present and includes the track “Let The Music Talk”, featuring RuCL. His second album, What’s Happening, follows in 2007 as a 16-track LP and a 15-track CD. Guests on the album include RuCL, J-Live, Stephanie Mckay, Hau of Koolism, and Yungun.

Awards and touring

In 2002 Katalyst receives the Best Producer award at the Australian Dance Music Awards. In 2006 he takes part in Invada Records’ Stage Invasion tour, performing in major capital cities across Australia. In November 2007 he tours nationally in support of What’s Happening, with shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane.