Fishtown Beats is producer Colin Dooley’s first musical project, delivering, “soulful, sample-driven beats that knock.” Songs are reminiscent of the “Happy Days” jukebox intro with a steady, spinning 45, allowing listeners to slip into a peaceful coma of malted shakes and letterman jackets. The Fonz’s infamous entrance is unexpectedly interrupted by heavy-hitting hip-hop drums and bass.

“It’s if gangster rap and doo-wop got drunk and had a one night stand,” Dooley explains with a chuckle and a grin.

With 83 tracks and 480 Soundcloud followers, Fishtown Beats’ commitment to music exceeds that of a one night stand. Dooley has played shows with Brooklyn’s MH The Verb, including one at Pianos Showroom in NYC. In February, he played two back-to-back sold out shows with one of New York’s new-school pioneers, Kool Keith, and DJ-ed a Disco Biscuits after-party later that week.

Fishtown Beats admits knowing next to nothing about producing a mere four years ago. It was only after his father’s cancer diagnosis he needed an expressive outlet his financial day job couldn’t provide. At the time, Dooley was listening to electronic music but enjoyed winding down to soothing sounds of the 1940s and 50s. Requiring emotional and physical solitude, he bought his first music production software, Abelton, and taught himself fundamentals from online tutorials. Now, Fishtown Beats uses Maschine, a classic groove production studio made by Native-Instruments. His music’s now made confidently with an in-home, full-software studio on Frankford Avenue.

Fishtown Beats’ origin seems evident, but the project started long before Dooley moved to the Riverwards section of Philly. “For two and a half years I went by my last name.”

The “bedroom producer” knew he would soon move from Gulf Mills to the city, wanting a more inclusive and recognizable identity to associate himself with the growing millennial culture of the once shad-fishing neighborhood.

Dooley’s been successfully recognized as Fishtown Beats at local venues and on the street, a surreal experience for an artist who first stepped into the limelight last January. His first show was at The Fire on 4th and Girard. “I was playing a friend’s going away party, but it was during the biggest blizzard of the year, so hardly anyone showed up.”

The producer’s come a long way since that cold, snowy night, and respects the heavily positive influence collaboration can have on a music project. “It’s all about reaching out to people. That’s what helps gain exposure.” Dooley’s exposure since has him lined up to play with two of his favorite Philly-native bands, Tweed and Catullus.

Fishtown Beats’ clear, current goal is to play more music festivals and bigger venues like the Electric Factory and Union Transfer by the end of 2015. With the steady growth of an online presence, and increase in collaborations, Dooley will find every small step will lead his project to make a big, loud beat in the heart of Philadelphia.

Check out Fishtown Beats’ upcoming Philadelphia shows: 5/19 at Silk City (435 Spring Garden St); Memorial Day Sunday at The Sundrop Festival (412 W Girard Ave); and 5/29 at North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.)