"The album 'Démarrage' captures the magical allure of cycling and the mystique of the landscapes in a unique electronic manner."
'Démarrage' is the first collaborative album by producers Applescal and David Douglas. The idea of creating a track inspired by cycling has been in their minds for several years. David Douglas and Applescal both share a deep passion for the road. In the summer of 2023, they decided to come together to write a track. Full of inspiration and atmospheric ideas, this evolved from a rough concept into a collection of tracks. What initially began as an idea for a single track quickly grew into the full-fledged electronic album 'Démarrage'.
'Démarrage' is an album that reflects the power and rhythm of cycling. It takes you on a journey through the diverse landscapes traversed by a cyclist. It translates the humility of the riders, the energy, pain, euphoria, and the deep soul of the sport into an immersive and quirky electronic sound. Various cycling samples are used on David Douglas and Applescal's new album, including sounds of the crowd and the sounds of the bicycle itself. Using soundscapes, field recordings, and a narrative structure, this album captures the magic of cycling and the mysterious landscapes whizzing by. In one track, you experience the euphoria and freedom of a descent, while in another part of the album, you imagine yourself in a breathtaking time trial or epic mountain stage. One moment you feel like a spectator in the helicopter, while at another moment your heart pounds like the racer devouring the asphalt.
Pascal Terstappen, better known by his pseudonym Applescal, has been releasing electronic music for over 15 years. In 2012, he founded the record label Atomnation, where he released works by David Douglas and artists like Weval, Max Cooper, and Gidge. Terstappen has performed multiple times at prominent festivals such as Awakenings, DGTL, and Wildeburg, and stages at Paradiso, Tivoli, and Berghain. His music is played worldwide by leading DJs.
David Douglas has released 4 albums and several EPs. Additionally, he works as a film and video editor and has directed various music videos. His music has received rave reviews from publications such as Pitchfork, De Volkskrant, and OOR, and earned a nomination for Best Album at the 3voor12 Awards. In addition to a successful European tour, he has performed at festivals such as Best Kept Secret, Pitch, and the Amsterdam Dance Event. His music has been used for Netflix films and commercials for brands like Louis Vuitton, Channel 05, Ikea, and Volkswagen. In 2016, he released the album 'High As The Sun' with Blaudzun under the pseudonym HATY HATY.