They say everything he touches turns to gold...and when it comes to house music, Ashley Scott Jones - aka Treasure Fingers - most definitely has the midas touch. With his signature feel-good funk-inspired sound he’s captured the house hearts of the likes of Eric Prydz, Roy Davis Jr, Miike Snow and many more, and brought the party to dancefloors worldwide alongside A-Trak, Chromeo, Laidback Luke, Felix da Housecat, Benny Benassi - to name just a few.

So we were delighted when he agreed to mix the New York edition of Hed Kandi World Series USA - a tribute to the city he calls home when he’s not jet-setting across the globe - and caught up with him for an exclusive interview all about New York’s music scene, his hangouts, who to listen to and what makes a top night out in the city that never sleeps...

What do you like so much about New York?

The diversity of everything, from food to people to the arts. Everything just seems so accessible there, whatever you are into, you'll be able to find it and other like-minded people in NYC.

What are your earlier memories of you immersing yourself in New York’s music scene?

I didn't move there until 2007 or 2008, but the memory that stands out the most is finding a studio space and then knowing several other people in the building already, & later finding out those friends and other artists I knew were all within a block surrounding me – a huge but small community at the same time.

What’s the best club in New York?

I've always liked the basement at Santos Party House. The drinks are way too expensive, but the low-key lighting and sound is really great in there. It's a good vibe all around.

Tell us a bit about New York’s music scene?

It's endless. There's some sort of scene for every type of genre, sub-genre and sub-sub-genre in New York. You could go from a Dutch jump-style afterhours rave to a black metal basement party to a kindergarten piano recital probably within a few blocks of each other if you wanted.

Where do you hang out when in New York?

Brooklyn or Lower East Side usually. Most of the main big house clubs are midtown or Chelsea, the clubs are nice, but I don't typically hang out day to day in those neighbourhoods.

How much has New York influenced your music?

I really can't pinpoint. It's sort of a magical energy, the entire environment around you. I might get inspired hearing a guy playing pan flute in the L train station, or just walking around in the city. Also, being around so many other creative people really pushes you to keep going and trying new things.

I'll say traditionally I've been more inspired from old Chicago house rather than New York house, but my direct influence comes from hearing what my friends are doing & keeping up with new trends in music and trying to merge everything I like into something that works.

Can you tell us about any New York based producers we should be looking out for?

Free Magic & Jkriv are putting out some really nice stuff and also involved with one of the best NYC parties going right now, Discovery.

Talk us through a great night out, starting at a bar and ending at a club.

I'd start at the Turkey's Nest in Williamsburg. It's a shitty dive bar and they serve their drinks in Styrofoam cups, but I've never had a bad night there. From there I'd go to Maison Premiere, which is the opposite of dive bar. It's a drinker’s paradise if you are into well made cocktails. From there, hop on the L into the city & hit Le Bain, the rooftop bar on top of the Standard.

From here enough alcohol has probably been consumed that the rest of the night could take you anywhere. There's usually Pacha for super late night fun, or you could ask around to find a loft or warehouse afterhours somewhere.

If you had one bit of advice on New York that you could give to a visitor, what would it be?
Put the map away and just do some free exploring. Most people try to over plan their trip and miss out on seeing the real NYC.

World Series is out now | Click here for more information, tracklisting and to buy

To celebrate the release of Hed Kandi World Series USA, we’ve got an EXCLUSIVE free download from Treasure Fingers, the mixer of our New York edition.

The globetrotting album concept returns as Hed Kandi World Series takes on the USA, and after the recent success of World Series Miami Vol 2, it only makes sense to continue this journey through America’s evolving electronic music scene.

Kicking off this 3CD extravaganza are massive main room sounds from Las Vegas’ biggest nightclubs, lovingly mixed by Hed Kandi DJ Sarah Louise. Next up is fellow Hed Kandi resident, Mikey Gallagher, delivering a unique blend of upfront and cutting edge electro hits from the infamous Los Angeles pool parties and dancefloors.

Finally, to round off your journey through the USA’s unbeatable club scene is exclusive guest Treasure Fingers, who puts his own spin on CD3, bringing you the perfect amalgamation of New York House beats.

And as a taster of the album, he's given us delightful disco track ‘Rooftop Revival’ for free! Download, share and spread the word - this download will only be available until Friday 3rd August, so don't miss out!  

Welcome to episode 5 of the Hed Kandi Podcast.

In this episode we celebrate our tenth year in Ibiza! We also speak with Hed Kandi resident DJ, Stu Ojelay, who also features in the mix with his favourite tracks from the new Taste Of Kandi Summer 2012 album!

As always we have some of the biggest and hottest tracks being played across Kandi’s global dancefloors and we also have information on some key Hed Kandi parties coming up in the next few weeks and a full update on our Ibiza 2012 season - Hed Kandi 10 Years!

Enjoy!

Last month saw Hed Kandi join a stellar line-up of some of the world’s biggest superstar DJs, including Afrojack, Richie Hawtin, Alesso, Kaskade, Chuckie and more, as they descended on Toronto to celebrate the Canada Day long weekend.

With over 25,000 people in attendance, Digital Dreams was the first and only multi-day EDM festival to take place in downtown Toronto and we were honoured to host the Carte Blanche All White Beach Party, which featured massive sets from Hed Kandi residents Sarah Louise and Andy Warburton.

We also ran a competition to win a pair of tickets to Digital Dreams – and Dave Deveci was the lucky winner! His verdict?

@HedKandi Thanks again for the Digital Dreams festival passes. Had a really great time!

— David Deveci (@DavidDeveci) July 2, 2012

But if you couldn’t make it, check out the video round-up of this historic moment for Canadian clubbing & festivals...

Bring on Digital Dreams 2013!

The Hed Kandi samplers are extremely popular across UK and globally, edited into a bite size-collection of highlights from our latest upcoming albums and singles. We return with our world famous summer sampler, A Taste of Kandi: Summer 2012, handpicked for you.

This uplifting single CD mix features Hed Kandi favourites by A-List producers including Mark Knight, Chris Kaeser, Stonebridge, Crazibiza, Sandy B, Richard Grey, Reza & K-Klass, My Digital Enemy and Dirty Freek to name a few.

This tantalising collection of delicious tracks packs a suitcase full of Kandi magic which has been handpicked for you by Hed Kandi resident DJ Stu Ojelay and his music production partner in crime James Garrett, under their production alias of Garrett & Ojelay.

We had a chat with Stu about the album.

How did you go about putting the tracks together?

It was a great privilege to compile the tracks. For me it was just a case of seeing what was working currently in front of me on the dancefloors I was performing to and touching base with the DJs and producers I respected to source out new material from them. This then gave us a great balance of recognisable tracks and forthcoming exclusives that are yet to be released.

What’s your favourite track from the album, and why?

I’m sucker for the phrase a classic never dies and no truer word can be said about Sandy B – Make the World Go Round. This track was synonymous with my early days of clubbing and no one stood still once that infectious bassline dropped. Our updated Garrett & Ojelay 2012 remode version originally started out as a bootleg and got some fantastic plays from some big names in the industry across the globe.

It was such a huge compliment for it to be picked up from its original label thus enabling us to feature it on this album and for it to reach an even bigger audience. I’m still caning it now from small gigs to festivals and fingers crossed it will be a mainstay of many other DJs sets for years to come.

You’ve put some of your own remixes in there, why each particular tracks?

I picked out ASBO Let The Beat Hit 'Em from the Hed Kandi records repertoire that was crying out for an update so had to jump on it. This is also only available as an exclusive on the album and from recent gig experiences this one definitely does some damage to a dancefloor. We’ve tried to keep the original elements of the wonderful vocal and distinctive chimes plus added a main room modern day bassline.

I also have recently been a huge admirer of producers Crazibiza and after a bit of social network banter we decided to concoct collaboration. From their original guitar sample we combined to create some rolling beats and bass and Dirty Guitarra was born. Again this was developed as an exclusive with the album in mind but now has gone on to achieve chart success on its own right.

What do you enjoy about playing out over the summer season?

From generating smiles, getting glammed up to general socialising, for me when the sun is shining it kind of makes everything just that little bit easier. It opens up a whole new genre of clubbing with open air and beach parties coming to the forefront and any DJs experience can only be enhanced by playing to more flesh on show!

You’re playing all over the world this summer, but any events in particular you’re looking forward to?

So fortunate so have a fantastic high summer lined up. Highlights include my first festival experience of 2012 in Finland, Helsinki. Where Hed Kandi are hosting a main stage which shall be an incredible experience to play in front of a vast audience. This part of the world also has 24 hours of sunlight at this time of year ideal for a festival.

I’ll also be heading back out to Asia, which is always special to me as have already been fortunate enough to experience their diverse culture. You’re always guaranteed a warm welcome here and hopefully this will be the case when I head out to Hong Kong and Shanghai. Also, can’t wait to get on the decks a little closer to home at Gatecrasher, Birmingham and of course a Summer couldn’t be without a trip to the white isle of Ibiza!

If you could sum up what you want the listener to get from Taste of Kandi Summer in one sentence, what would it be?

I could never be as cheesy to say it will ‘take you on a journey’ but from your car to the club from the pool and beach to the club, I hope it assists you in getting your groove on!

Buy A Taste of Kandi Summer | Follow Stu Ojelay on Twitter | Like Stu Ojelay on Facebook