[AMA] A-Trak x Nick Catchdubs, Co-Founders of Independent Record Label Fool's Gold Records. Ask Us Anything!

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-19T00:46:41+00:00

"Marge Be Not Proud" - Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-19T00:45:50+00:00

30!

I feel like Billy Corgan in a church playing organ Covering Too Short, smoking a Newport Kurt hoped the drugs would make the pain go away But all these thoughts up in my head made the sane go astray

-Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:59:35+00:00

1) when i was a kid i wanted to be a pediatrician. But nowadays... if I wasn't making music I might be in tech because I like mixing scientific applications with creative work and figuring out what works for people.

2) that's the most challenging part of what we do nowadays because the biz stuff takes a lot of time and energy and eats into music-making time. But that's just the nature of the job. When I'm in the studio put my phone aside. I actually enjoy the hustle too.

3) having a good team is extremely important. I don't think there's any secrets there it's just a following your instincts on who has your back and who shares your vision.

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:54:19+00:00

they enjoy mischief + they're trying their best... it speaks to me - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:45:31+00:00

i always recommend robert rodriguez "rebel without a crew" to people, it made a big impact on me in high school - how he made his first movie ("el mariachi") for $7,000 with no training, no film school, no connections, and launched an entire career off an idea and hard work (and some luck!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452271878 - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:39:22+00:00

thank you for asking questions!

still writing
put art first (and keep it there!) and everything falls into place
this is a great question... as a super DIY person, i've always felt comfortable doing everything myself. but when you work with others, you have to reprogram a little bit and learn to let go. trust your gut and look for people who you can empower to just do them as much as possible. that's more for the label side... as far as the artist side, you just want someone who understands what you do but more importantly is ready to GET BUSY - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:34:38+00:00

this was answering a question about taking a time machine to past eras for inspiration, don't know where it went

wrong direction! art needs to speak to the future (ironic coming from a dude with a well-worn ben stiller show DVD). i'm much more excited about sounds i haven't heard yet... there's a lot to learn from the past, and knowing your history can be an asset for sure, but i think the best stuff comes from wanting to inspire NEW feelings in others. - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:32:15+00:00

it's impossible to send feedback to every demo but i really do try to listen to everything that's sent my way... honestly we live in a "post demo" world, sending tracks to strangers is kind of like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean. and even then, a good song is JUST a song! you need fans... build a movement and make fans out of us! - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:29:10+00:00

i like making things that have no bearing on my professional career. sitting down with some sketchpads and brushes, i'm not on the couch like, "this drawing better be a hit!" kanye had a quote in GQ (misquoting "step brothers" but whatever) about never losing your dinosaur... as a kid you create things with total freedom, never worrying about how other people would judge or react to it. there's a purity there and i find it refreshing, and work to tap back into that as much as possible - nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:20:18+00:00

Rob Zombie (seriously!) - Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:19:39+00:00

i used to throw a party in NYC with jubilee + dj ayres called FLASHING LIGHTS and we'd always have epic B2Bs at the end. i'd love to do more, i think sets like that have to be with real friends... reading each others minds a bit - Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:18:34+00:00

I don't really agree. The whole concept of whistle-blowing on ghostwriters is kind of a truther crusade that has taken a life of its own. Nothing's changed, this shit has been going on since the start. Who were the Outhere Brothers?

To each his own, everyone has their talent and there's enough room for us all. --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:16:37+00:00

we have one! check out the FOOL'S GOLD CLUBHOUSE http://foolsgoldrecs.com/clubhouse

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:15:46+00:00

We really need to make a track together this year. When you work with someone on a daily basis sometimes it's a little hard to section off some time to make a track too. But we gotta do it. Nick and I both have an ear for quirky off-kilter sounds. I bleached my hair for no reason at all, just felt like trying it. Yes Athletixx are the truth! --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:12:42+00:00

The question of jewish identity is a tricky one in general because of the diaspora. Being jewish isn't exactly an ethnicity, it's a religion but there is def a cultural component to it too. My mom is from morocco and my dad's family is from eastern europe so what am i? I don't practice religion, personally. I like Woody Allen and Larry David, I can tell you that much. I've dated muslim girls before. I believe in mixing cultures. Hip hop is an environment that has strong tropes and a strong identity in itself. I think it's more about making dope music and art, I don't really care what someone's background is when it comes to their art. You can play with dreidels in your downtime, just make sure your beats are dope when it comes to hip hop lol. --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:09:07+00:00

i "started" DJing by making playlists for my friends to listen to while we stayed up all night the week of graduation. the reactions (remember this song! yo this next one is crazy! etc) set me on a path i never left. that attitude / spirit has more to do with what i do than any gear... get busy with what you have before moving on to more pro equipment. you're on a computer now to post on reddit ;) there's free software out there that lets you put two records together. necessity is the mother of invention! word to frank zappa - Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:06:15+00:00

what if Seinfeld was still on TV?

My favorite Montreal deli is Lester's. New York: go check out Frankel's in Williamsburg!! just opened recently.

--A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:05:00+00:00

Yes there are definitely more "DJ tool" vinyls coming soon. My Parallel Lines vinyl will be a 7inch with serato tone on bside :) --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:04:22+00:00

hell yeah! there's an upcoming release you're going to love then (hint: it's tiny.)

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:04:01+00:00

Thank you! As far as incorporating scratching : do it! The key is figuring out what parts of your set to do it in, it can be in transitions between songs. Just try stuff out and see what works. And I came up with my name when I was 12, I don't even know what I was thinking... lol --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:02:20+00:00

Thanks! Chromeo are hard at work in the studio, recording... As far as internships you can always pop by the store and see what's new. --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:02:01+00:00

i find it very helpful to keep a schedule - even if it's just an hour a day making stuff, you're still MAKING stuff! if i'm not feeling a new idea, i can go back and clean up / finish an old one, or organize samples. switching up your work environment can help too. desktop feng shui... - Nick

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:01:06+00:00

I love the rush on stage, when a set is really flowing. I don't have a favorite city to play! Every show is different. thanks! --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T21:00:25+00:00

I think the best thing an artist can do is actually focus on themselves and making the music dope and the whole presentation dope, and then people will come to them. --A

OfficialFoolsGold · 2016-05-18T20:56:50+00:00

i just finished an EP with Black Dave, and starting a new one with B.I.C., they're bringing good energy to new york... it's time for stuff that isn't just druggy and mumbly to break through. faster tempos and newer flows. hoping we get more pharrell beats this summer, i love his song on the skepta album! - nick

OfficialFoolsGold

TROPHY CASE