The Cataracts
2012-12-22 20:30 - 23:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA
You can’t plan for a new beginning.
It often just happens without any warning or notice. There’s no time for preparation. However, ifyou embrace it with an open heart and mind, everything can change for the better.
Ever since 2004, production powerhouse and platinum-selling eclectic pop unit The Cataracs had been a duo—Niles and Campa. However, in the summer of 2012, after the release of the sizzling hot Gordo Taqueria [Indie-Pop/Republic Records] and its fiery lead single “All You” featuring Kaskade and Waka Flocka Flame, Campa decided to follow a lifelong dream and travel the world, effectively leaving The Cataracs a one-man unit. Niles dusted himself off and kept forging ahead though.
“It left me really vulnerable and anxious for a minute,” he admits. “It also gave me the opportunity to come into my own as a solo act and even realize the initial vision that I had for The Cataracs. I like creating intelligent dance music that makes people move. That’s what I’ve wanted to do since the beginning. Campa and I weren’t always on the same page about that. Now, I have an even clearer understanding of what The Cataracs is, and I’m making the best music I’ve ever made.”
That’s a bold claim, but it’s true. From day one, Niles had served as the group’s producer and produced other artists under the moniker “The Cataracs”. He was behind the immortal beat for Far East Movement’s “Like a G6″ featuring Dev. The track became a worldwide phenomenon, surpassing digital sales of 3 million and topping the Billboard Hot 100. It also kick-started the careers of Far East Movement and Dev and created unanimous demand for production from Niles.
From there, he worked the board for Dev’s platinum smash “In the Dark” as well her entire major label debut, The Night the Sun Came Up, Snoop Dogg’s saucy “Wet”, and other tracks from the likes of Enrique Iglesias, Usher, 50 Cent, New Boyz, and more. He’s also been sought out by everyone from E-40 to David Guetta.
At the same time, honing his two-prong vision for The Cataracs, he’s pushing the boundaries of pop. On his solo material, he cooks up an infectious concoction of sexy dance music with lo-fi hip hop swagger and undeniable pop bliss. His forthcoming first single as a solo act “Roll the Dice” blazes to life.
Teaming up with production masters Stargate and electronic dance music stalwart Wolfgang Gartner, Niles created one of his most irresistible anthems to date. You’ll definitely want to “Roll the Dice” with him.
“I wrote it when I was in Brazil,” he remembers. “I brought in Stargate and Wolfgang Gartner in, and they made it even more dope. It’s a love song, but it draws a lot of parallels to gambling. I’m really proud of it.”
However, he hasn’t stopped there. On another new cut, “Chinese Takeout”, he’s enlisted the talents of Anjulie and Petros, making for a seductive call-and-response between the singers fueled by his inimitable production style.
“I rented this house to work on music and I invited everybody up there,” he goes on. “I want to bring together different artists under one banner. It’s a boy and girl song, but the two-part melody is so hot.”
The next chapter of The Cataracs has kicked off with a bang, and it’s only just begun.
“I’ve got confidence like I’ve never had before,” enthuses Niles. “I want fans to walk away from my music with something they’re not getting anywhere else. I want to give people addictive, catchy songs. That’s what I love to do.”

For more information visit https://trueskool.com/events/the-cataracts
