Dan the Automator
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|American record producer (born 1966)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Dan the Automator
| image = Outside Lands 2017 IMG 8488 (36531585696) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Dan the Automator in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|8|29}}
| birth_name = Daniel M. Nakamura
| alias = {{hlist|Automator|Dan Nakamura|Nathaniel Merriweather{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/nathaniel-merriweather-presents-6399796|title=Nathaniel Merriweather Presents...|work=Dallas Observer|first=Darren|last=Keast|date=December 27, 2001|access-date=September 27, 2019}}}}
| birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = {{Hlist|Hip hop{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/dan_automator-complete_package_concept|title=Dan the Automator: The Complete Package Concept|work=Exclaim!|first=Thomas|last=Quinlan|date=May 1, 2001|access-date=September 27, 2019}}|psychedelic rap{{cite web |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/dr-octagon-playing-nyc-release-show-for-first-lp-in-two-decades/ |title= Dr. Octagon playing NYC release show for first LP in two decades
|last=Sacher |first=Andrew |date=February 20, 2018 |work=Brooklyn Vegan |access-date=2023-08-17 |quote=lead single “Octagon Octagon” is an awesome dose of the same kind of surreal, psychedelic rap they were doing in the ’90s}}}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|disc jockey|composer|engineer}}
| years_active = 1986–present
| label = {{hlist|75 Ark|Bulk|Decon|Lakeshore|Ubiquity}}
| current_member_of = {{hlist|Handsome Boy Modeling School|Deltron 3030|Got a Girl}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|Lovage|Head Automatica}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Deltron 3030|Gorillaz|Got a Girl|Handsome Boy Modeling School|Head Automatica|Kool Keith|Lovage|Mike Patton}}
| website = {{URL|dantheautomator.com}}
}}
Daniel M. Nakamura (born August 29, 1966), better known by his stage name Dan the Automator, is an American record producer. He is the founder of the publishing company Sharkman Music{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1999-11-25/music/handsome-dan-automator-man/|title=Handsome Dan, Automator Man|work=Miami New Times|first=Zac|last=Crain|date=November 25, 1999|access-date=September 27, 2019}} and the record label 75 Ark.{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/nathaniel-merriweather-6413705|title=Nathaniel Merriweather|work=Phoenix New Times|first=Brendan Joel|last=Kelley|date=January 17, 2002|access-date=September 27, 2019}}
Early life
Daniel M. Nakamura was born in San Francisco, California, in 1966. His parents spent time in Japanese internment camps as children.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/He-s-sold-millions-of-albums-Handsome-too-2668980.php|title=He's sold millions of albums. Handsome, too. Calls Beck a pal. The Automator a rock star? No.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|first=Jane|last=Ganahl|date=November 29, 2004|access-date=October 11, 2019}} His father worked for the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and his mother taught at City College of San Francisco.{{cite web|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/dan-the-automator-follows-his-own-lane-to-food-movies-always-be-my-maybe|title=Dan the Automator follows his own lane to food, movies, 'Always Be My Maybe'|work=San Francisco Chronicle|first=Peter|last=Harlaub|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2019}} As a child, he learned to play violin.{{cite web|url=https://www.emusician.com/gear/automater-for-the-people|title=Automater for the People|work=Electronic Musician|first=James|last=Rotondi|date=March 1, 2001|access-date=September 27, 2019}} While in high school, he became immersed in hip hop culture. He graduated from San Francisco State University.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfsu.edu/~news/2004/fall/170.htm|title=Holiday gifts with a Gator connection|work=San Francisco State University|first=Adrianne|last=Bee|date=December 17, 2004|access-date=September 27, 2019}}
Career
Nakamura started his career as a DJ when he was a teenager.{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2010/08/whatever-happened-to-dan-the-automator/|title=Whatever Happened To: Dan the Automator|work=Consequence of Sound|first=Len|last=Comaratta|date=August 29, 2010|access-date=September 27, 2019}} After seeing the younger DJs DJ Qbert and Mix Master Mike performing live, he decided to focus on producing tracks. He first gained attention for his work on Kool Keith's 1996 album Dr. Octagonecologyst.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/01/19/back-to-the-future-with-the-automator/ffcd3856-74c9-42f5-8e95-ee891250b838/|title=Back to the Future With the Automator|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Richard|last=Harrington|date=January 19, 2001|access-date=September 27, 2019}} His debut EP, Music to Be Murdered By, was released in 1989.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-feb-17-ca-weingarten17-story.html|title=Alchemist of Alternative Rap|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Marc|last=Weingarten|date=February 17, 2002|access-date=September 27, 2019}} He released his debut album A Much Better Tomorrow in 2000, an expansion of his 1996 EP A Better Tomorrow. Keith featured extensively across both versions.
He composed the score for the 2019 comedy film Booksmart,{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/dan-the-automator-2019-interview-2639174963.html|title=Broke a Couple of Rules: Movie Scores with Dan the Automator|work=PopMatters|first=Paul|last=Carr|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2019}} with the soundtrack album released that same year.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefourohfive.com/film/article/exclusive-check-out-this-track-from-dan-the-automator-nakamura-s-score-to-olivia-wilde-s-booksmart-155|title=Exclusive: Check out this track from Dan "The Automator" Nakamura's score to Olivia Wilde's Booksmart.|work=The 405|first=Wess|last=Haubrich|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011085839/https://www.thefourohfive.com/film/article/exclusive-check-out-this-track-from-dan-the-automator-nakamura-s-score-to-olivia-wilde-s-booksmart-155|url-status=dead}}
=Collaborations=
In 1999, Nakamura and Prince Paul formed the collaborative project Handsome Boy Modeling School, assuming the alter egos Nathaniel Merriweather and Chest Rockwell, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/nov/04/electronicmusic.urban|title=Cartoon capers|work=The Guardian|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey|date=November 4, 2004|access-date=September 27, 2019}} Their debut album So... How's Your Girl? featured numerous guest musicians, including Róisín Murphy, DJ Shadow, and Del the Funky Homosapien. They released a second album, White People, in November 2004, with collaborators including RZA, Cat Power, and Mike Patton.{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/albums/Handsome-boy-modeling-school/White-people|title=White People by Handsome Boy Modeling School|website=Genius|language=en|access-date=June 19, 2018}} Nakamura used the Nathaniel Merriweather pseudonym for his Lovage project with Patton and Jennifer Charles. After Paul briefly left the duo over a business dispute,{{cite web |date=January 10, 2006 |access-date=May 10, 2009 |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/2006/01/10 | title= Prince Paul Talks Post-Handsome Boy Plans| website= PitchforkMedia.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080307162229/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/35685-prince-paul-talks-post-handsome-boy-plans/page_1|archive-date=March 7, 2008}} Handsome Boy Modelling School have since played further shows and spoken of a forthcoming third album.{{cite web| url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2022/04/19/news/handsome-boy-modeling-school-to-play-a-reunion-show-at-record-store-day-party-in-new-york-city/ |title=Handsome Boy Modeling School To Play A Reunion Show at Record Store Day Party in New York City |website=mxdwn.com |date=April 19, 2022 |first=April |last=Rose |access-date=September 28, 2022}}
In 2000, Nakamura joined Del the Funky Homosapien and Kid Koala to form Deltron 3030.{{cite web|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/deltron-3030|title=The Future is Deltoron 3030|work=Interview|first=Emma|last=Brown|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2019}} They released their eponymous debut album the same year, featuring guest appearances by Sean Lennon and Damon Albarn. In 2001 he produced the debut album of Albarn's "animated" band Gorillaz, appearing as a member of the band, alongside Del the Funky Homosapien. Both later appeared on the second Deltron 3030 record, Event 2, released in September 2013.{{cite web |title=For your ears only: The funky homosapien returns, but worth it? |last=Haering |first=Bradley |date=October 12, 2008 |publisher=The Daily Aztek |url=http://media.www.thedailyaztec.com/media/storage/paper741/news/2008/03/13/Tempo/For-Your.Ears.Only.The.Funky.Homosapien.Returns.But.Worth.It-3266667.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210175628/http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2.7443/1.794055 |archive-date=December 10, 2008}} The album also featured appearances by Jamie Cullum, Emily Wells and Zack De La Rocha, with interludes performed by actors David Cross, Amber Tamblyn and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Nakamura is one half of Got a Girl, along with actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dan-the-automator-and-mary-elizabeth-winstead-got-a-girl-did-we-live-too-fast-premiere/|title=Deltron 3030's Dan the Automator and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Video for "Did We Live Too Fast" Would Make Ernest Hemingway Proud|work=Vice|first=Eric|last=Sundermann|date=June 17, 2014|access-date=September 27, 2019}} The duo's debut album, I Love You but I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now, was released in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/06/dan-the-automator-mary-elizabeth-winstead-got-a-girl-did-we-live-too-fast-stream/|title=Hear Dan the Automator and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Cinematic 'Did We Live Too Fast'|work=Spin|first=Nim|last=Barshad|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=May 14, 2020}} In September 2015, they embarked on a four-city tour of Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles, where they played their entire album live, including a cover of Handsome Boy Modeling School's "I've Been Thinking".{{Cite news|url=http://www.theowlmag.com/news/exclusive-interview-got-a-girl/|title=Exclusive Interview: Got a Girl|work=The Owl Mag|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en-us|archive-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021215905/http://www.theowlmag.com/news/exclusive-interview-got-a-girl/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.theowlmag.com/live-reviews/live-review-got-a-girl-largo-at-the-coronet-los-angeles-92815/|title=Live Review : Got A Girl @ Largo at the Coronet, Los Angeles 9/28/15|work=The Owl Mag|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en-us|archive-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624184013/http://www.theowlmag.com/live-reviews/live-review-got-a-girl-largo-at-the-coronet-los-angeles-92815/|url-status=dead}}
In 2023, Handsome Boy Modeling School released a limited release LP of 7 new songs in collaboration with Fords Gin.{{cite web | url=https://www.fordsgin.com/music-to-drink-martinis-to/ | title=Music to Drink Martinis to }}
In 2025, Nakamura was announced as one of the remixers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup theme, representing the San Francisco Bay Area.{{Cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/news/world-cup-2026-host-city-sonic-ids|title=Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic IDs celebrate diversity and creativity of Host Cities|website=inside.fifa.com}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
- A Much Better Tomorrow (2000)
- Booksmart: Score by Dan the Automator (2019)
- Easter Sunday: Music from the Motion Picture (2022)
=Compilation albums=
- Wanna Buy a Monkey? (2002)
- Dan the Automator Presents 2K7 (2006)
= Remix albums =
=EPs=
- Music to Be Murdered By (1989)
- King of the Beats (1990)
- A Better Tomorrow (1996)
=Singles=
- "Bear Witness III (Once Again)" (2002)
- "Rapper's Delight" (2009)
=Productions=
- Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst (1996)
- Cornershop - When I Was Born for the 7th Time (1997)
- Kalyanji–Anandji - Bombay the Hard Way: Guns, Cars and Sitars (1998)
- Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Acme (1998)
- Handsome Boy Modeling School - So... How's Your Girl? (1999)
- Primal Scream - XTRMNTR (2000)
- Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 (2000)
- Gorillaz - Gorillaz (2001)
- Lovage - Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By (2001)
- Ben Lee - Hey You. Yes You. (2002)
- Galactic - Ruckus (2003)
- Handsome Boy Modeling School - White People (2004)
- Head Automatica - Decadence (2004)
- Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales (2005)
- Teriyaki Boyz - Beef or Chicken (2005)
- Peeping Tom - Peeping Tom (2006)
- Little Barrie - Stand Your Ground (2006)
- Josh Haden - Devoted (2007)
- Men Without Pants - Naturally (2008)
- Anaïs Croze - The Love Album (2008)
- Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2009)
- Dredg - Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy (2011)
- Miles Kane - Colour of the Trap (2011)
- Lateef the Truthspeaker - Firewire (2011)
- Kasabian - Velociraptor! (2011)
- DRC Music - Kinshasa One Two (2011)
- Pillowfight - Pillowfight (2013)
- Jamie Cullum - Momentum (2013)
- Deltron 3030 - Event 2 (2013)
- Got a Girl - I Love You but I Must Drive Off This Cliff Now (2014)
- Exodus - "Black 13" (2014){{cite web|title=EXODUS: 'Blood In Blood Out' Special Guests, Bonus Tracks Revealed|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/exodus-blood-in-blood-out-guest-musicians-bonus-tracks-revealed/|work=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=October 16, 2014|date=September 3, 2014}}
- Dr. Octagon - Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation (2018)
- Black Keys - Ohio Players (album) (2024)
- Dan the Automator - Dan the Automator Presents: Good Advice for Suckers (2024)
= Film music/scoring =
- Scream 2 - "Right Place Wrong Time" (1997){{Citation|title=Scream 2 (1997) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120082/soundtrack|access-date=November 14, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Various - Scream 2 (Music From The Dimension Motion Picture)|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Scream-2-Music-From-The-Dimension-Motion-Picture/release/1330426|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=Discogs|date=November 18, 1997 |language=en}}
- Ocean's Eleven - "The Projects (P Jays)"{{Citation|title=Ocean's Eleven (2001) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240772/soundtrack|access-date=November 14, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Archive-Corey-Moss|title=Elvis, Electronic Music Flow Together On 'Ocean's Eleven' Disc|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451401/elvis-electronic-music-flow-together-on-oceans-eleven-disc/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114063117/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451401/elvis-electronic-music-flow-together-on-oceans-eleven-disc/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=MTV News|language=en}} (2001)
- Slackers - "Rock n' Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This)," "Holy Calamity" (2002)
- Blade II - "Gorillaz on my Mind" (2002){{Cite web|title=Various - Blade II The Soundtrack|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Blade-II-The-Soundtrack/release/8847350|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=Discogs|language=en}}{{Citation|title=Blade II (2002) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187738/soundtrack|access-date=November 14, 2020}}
- Tony Hawk's Underground - "A Better Tomorrow," "Positive Contact
'' (2003){{Cite web|title=Tony Hawk's Underground (Video Game 2003)|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385178/soundtrack|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=IMDb}} - Tony Hawk's Underground 2 - "Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II)" (2004)
- Charmed - "Fallen" (2005){{Citation|title="Charmed" Imaginary Fiends (TV Episode 2005) - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539375/soundtrack|language=en|access-date=November 14, 2020}}
- Californication - "Mojo" (2007){{Cite web|title=Music from Californication S1E01|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/californication/season-1/7353|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=Tunefind|language=en-us}}
- The Sopranos - Stage 5 Remix (2007){{Cite web|title=Music from The Sopranos S6E14|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/the-sopranos/season-6/9311|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=Tunefind|language=en-us}}
- Scott Pilgrim vs The World - "Slick (Patel's Song)" (featuring Satya Bhabha), "Ninja Ninja Revolution" (2010)
- Better Call Saul - "The Truth" (2015){{Citation|title="Better Call Saul" RICO (TV Episode 2015) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3895284/soundtrack|access-date=November 14, 2020}}
- Money Monster - "What Makes the World Go Round? (Money!)" "Da Da Da" (2016){{Cite web|title=Watch Dan the Automator's 'Money Monster' music video|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/18/money-monster-dan-automator-music-video/|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=EW.com|language=EN}}
- Booksmart - Original Score & Music
- Always Be My Maybe - "Hello Peril" "I Punched Keanu Reeves" (2019){{Cite web|last=Carlin|first=Shannon|title=How Randall Park's Rap Song About Punching Keanu Reeves Ended Up in Always Be My Maybe|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/randall-park-interview-always-be-my-maybe-keanu-reeves/|access-date=November 14, 2020|website=Pitchfork|date=June 3, 2019 |language=en-us}}
- Broken Bread - Original Score Season 1 (2019){{Cite web|orig-date=July 12, 2019|date=July 13, 2019|first=Peter|last=Hartlaub|title=Dan the Automator follows his own lane to food, movies, 'Always Be My Maybe'|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/dan-the-automator-follows-his-own-lane-to-food-movies-always-be-my-maybe|access-date=November 14, 2020|website= San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide|language=en-US}}
- Holidate - Original Score (2020)
- Dash & Lilly - Original Score (2020)
- Salt & Pepa - Music (2021)
- Easter Sunday - Original Score (2022)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscat|Dan the Automator}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
{{Gorillaz}}
{{Head Automatica}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:American musicians of Japanese descent
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:Record producers from California
Category:Hip-hop musicians from San Francisco
Category:Alternative hip-hop musicians
Category:American male film score composers
Category:Alternative dance musicians
Category:American trip hop musicians
Category:Businesspeople from San Francisco
Category:San Francisco State University alumni
Category:Lovage (band) members