You see it everywhere. From Facebook to Myspace, there are a thousand wannabe DJs with pages proclaiming that they are the next big thing. With impressive looking schedules and countless friends, these self publicists almost have us fooled. But peel back the layers of those would be Emperors new clothes, and you start to realise that in this world dominated by style over substance, talent is now nothing more than the ability to keep up with the latest trends in fashion.Neil Quigley has talent – in abundance, but more importantly in the traditional sense as well. As a DJ he can build a set that is laced with the uplifting, joyous moments we have all shared in the past, whilst still delivering the sounds we demand from our future. Not one to be swayed by today’s flash in the pan, Neil has crafted a sound, something he refers to as ‘Electronic House with Soul’, that has made a number of important people stand up and take notice.The first real big name to make a telling difference was John Digweed, who invited Neil to open for him at his world famous Bedrock parties. The opportunity, born from Digweed naming Neil as his one to watch in the last two DJ Mag top 100 polls, has allowed him to take centre stage in venues such as Fabric, Warung Beach Club and the Ministry Of Sound. It doesn’t just stop with Bedrock. Neil is now also part of the Renaissance stable of DJs, headlining nights in the UK and on the global stage as well.Around about the same time, Urbantorque records – a favourite of Neil’s from the early releases that appeared on Deep Dish’s Yoshiesque album – offered Neil the opportunity to source new music for the label. Not only was his talent as a DJ being respected by one of the very best in the world, a successful label was now offering him the chance to mould the way their sound would grow over time.These days, DJs are rarely booked on their ability alone. Now it is the producers who hold the power when clubs come to book their line ups. It is with this latter, Urbantorque connection that Neil is now able to broaden his horizons, moving beyond being someone who plays other people’s music to now breaking his own tunes on the grandest of stages.Through the support of Urbantorque and under the guidance and tutorship of the legendary Nick Muir, Neil was able to raise himself beyond the level of the producers with pirated production software and an easy access to an internet MP3 site.The early releases with both Nick and Milton Jackson suggested that Neil could be part of the same formidable partnership as his early heroes – Fathers of Sound and Deep Dish. However it has been his recent solo efforts, often using his preferred Pacemaker moniker, which has suggested that there is plenty more to come from the DJ, A&R Man and now respected producer. The releases for Urbantorque continue, but now you will find Neil’s name appearing on the sleeves of Renaissance, Audio Therapy and Brown Eyed Records as well. Success is something we all measure differently, however it is fair to say that what you or I may consider to be a success, Neil Quigley see as another wrung on the ladder of what, will ultimately, lead to something very big. With the support of the DJs, record labels and now producers, Neil’s stock will continue to rise for as long as electronic house music with soul is around.
