Neil Pierce is a name that has become and will continue to be synonymous with
the Soulful House scene in London. He’s carved out a name which has come to
represent quality underground dance music with nothing but Soul.
It was during his time as manager at record shop ‘Release The Groove’ that he
was asked to warm-up for Paul Trouble Anderson at the legendary Loft parties at
HQ in Camden. Not long after, Neil was asked to be a Soul Heaven resident where
he continued to refine his style and develop technical skills that became his
trademark sound. It was also whilst managing the record shop that Neil met Dj
Aaron Ross, and in 2003, together they formed the successful production duo the
Fanatix. Since then, the pair have consistently pushed out quality Soulful House
music in both the booth and in the studio. Just some of the amazing artists the
Fanatix have worked with over the years form a mixture of talent from across the
globe such as Blaze, Kimara Lovelace, KOT, Kenny Bobien, Roy Ayers and
Stephanie Cooke, as well as homegrown talent such as Terri Walker, Kele le Roc,
Jamiroquai, Alex mills, Don-E and Sunburst Band and have seen releases across
major House labels including; Sony, Defected, BBE, Ricanstruction, ZR, Def Jam,
Soulgroove and of course Soul Heaven Records.
And as if that wasn’t enough, in 2005 Neil decided to form his label Hustle Music
which has seen releases featuring artists such as Franck Roger, Jihad
Muhammed, Muthafunkas and Reel Soul to name a few.
Neil has been a regular on the underground club scene both at home and around
the globe, playing for long-standing and respected promotions such as Garage
City, The Southport Weekender, Need2Soul, Miami Music Conference, Soulogic,
To the Manor Born, Angel Deelite and Soul City. Neil is also one of a handful of
Brits to have graced the decks at the legendary Shelter in New York. In the last
few years, he has had the pleasure of taking his sound global, seeing him play in
countries such as Italy, Ibiza, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, Dubai, Australia,
Russia, Norway and the USA.
In March 2008 The Fanatix released their Album, ‘There it Is’ on London based
label BBE to great critical acclaim and the number one spot on Traxsource.
Singles from the album include Fanatix feat Kele Le Roc – Lesson Learned for
Osiris and more recently the massive ‘Love Connection’ with Alex Mills, working
alongside quality musicians such as Kaidi Tatham (Bugz in the Attic), Mike Patto
(Reel People) and Marc De Clive Lowe amongst others. The album launch took
place at the now infamous Fanatix residency, firstly at the Neighbourhood Club,
then for BBE’s There It Is at Herbal in London’s Shoreditch
The Fanatix success story has gone from strength to strength in 2009,with
productions such as ‘Fly’ with Alison Crockett & Nathan Haines (straight to no. 1
in the Traxsource chart), and a remix of Byron Stingly’s ‘Keep The Love Going’ for
Nervous Records. The boys have also just remixed a track for Nathan Haines’s
new album. On the solo side, Neil is busy in the studio with remixes for NY Soul,
and is working on a solo effort due later in the year.
Neil’s profile is set to rise ever higher in 2009, and he’s one of the selected few
chosen to grace the line-up in May for the infamous Southport Weekender – the
highlight of the Soulful House calendar, and a mecca for music lovers and artists
alike.
With more hot new productions on the way and an increasingly high profile set of
gigs, 2009 is set to be a stellar year for Neil and the Soulful House scene.
