With 6 years professional DJ experience under his belt, Neal’s career so far can only be described as impressive. He gained his first residencies aged 17 at local Liverpool nights Ultra Violent and Happy Dayze and has deservedly moved fast up the ranks ever since. Neal prides himself on having a style that is unique and that offers something different to the scene. His music is full of energy and drive and is always guaranteed to get the dance floor moving. The atmosphere he creates is driven by his passion for clubbing and music… You will always catch him dancing, be it in the crowd or behind the decks! He has even been known to go on the dance floor during a set! These antics have contributed to making him one of the most loved, entertaining, and respected DJ's around. I spoke to Neal to see is he looking forward to making his debut at The Vaults next Friday and how he plans to launch his new label New Tech Revolution...
Hi Neal, thanks for taking time out to do this interview for us here at HarderEdge, tell us a bit about yourself?
No probs! I’m a 24 year old DJ & Producer from Liverpool, I’ve been DJing since I was 16 and I got my first residency in Garlands when I was 18. I’m a Kiddfectious resident and have just started my own label called NTR.
You've been commented as having a very individual sound, would you please describe your sound for us?
I would say the main style I play is a form of tech dance. I also play tech trance and techno in my sets too though. I use 3 decks and FX, so I try to keep my sets sounding as fresh as possible!
Your debut release on 'Audio Surgery Record's entitled PyroTechno was released recently after months of anticipation, what else can we look forward to coming from you in the coming months?
I have just had a remix of “The Sixth Sense – Paradise” come out on Joyride Records from Switzerland this week, plus I have two tracks coming out on Tidy; one is a remix of “Base Graffiti – Scirocco”, and the other is a track with Amber D called “Another Day”. Besides that, I have a track called “Jacks Back” coming out on Audio Surgery as the follow up to PyroTechno, which will be remixed by The Organ Donors.
You have a show on Slinky FM called 'The Tech-Dance Room', how is the show going for you?
The show is going great thanks! The next one is February 5th, with a guest mix from one of Japans hottest tech dance stars, SHUSEI. I’ve got quite a few big guests lined up for this year too, so make sure you tune in! (
www.slinky.fm - the first Thursday night/Friday morning of the month 12am-2am).
You make your Irish debut next Friday in The Vaults, what are you expecting from the Irish crowd?
Ive heard so much about the Irish crowd, how up for it they are all the time, and that they are proper party animals! I can’t wait to get over there and play! I’m hoping to have many more over there in the future!
What’s your current studio set up?
I use Reason4 and FL9 at the moment, but I’m currently making the switch to Logic9. I have 3 cdj1000 mk3s (soon to be cdj2000s!!), djm800, 2 technics 1210 mk3s in my studio.
Who is your favourite artist at the moment?
That’s a hard one, but production wise I would have to say Mac & Taylor. They are fellow scousers and as you are probably aware, are making massive waves in the scene. They are also remixing one of my tracks “Nova Scotia”, the first release on my new label NTR, so keep a look out for that release!
Any producer you would like to collaborate with this year?
I have a few collabs lined up, some of which are with A*S*Y*S, Organ Donors, Vandall, Indecent Noise, Joe E & Will Atkinson to name a few! I would love to collab with Yoji, Kutski & Lisa Lashes though, hopefully I will have the chance to in the future.
And a classic question from HarderEdge interviews of old, who is the last person you spoke to on the phone?
It was my girlfriend, I had to pick her up from the train station haha.
You have an alias by the name of ‘Nealos’; describe what sound your pushing with this alias.
I play and produce a mix of Wonky Techno and Fidget House as Nealos. I have been more successful with it over in Ibiza if I’m honest, but hopefully this year I will be able to push the sound more over here.
Now for a few quick fire questions
Vinyl or CD's?
CDs all the time now. I used vinyls back in the day but I made the full switch over to CDs a few years ago.
DJing or producing?
DJing. I started of as a DJ, so I would have to say that even though I love producing, Djing is my passion!
Favourite style of music?
Techno! Although I am really open minded when it comes to music. I like styles from Drum ‘n’ Bass to Rap & Hip hop.
First Record?
That’s a long time ago! I bought 2 tracks on my first vinyl shop, “Nick Skitz – Excalibur” & “N-Trance – Set you free”, (I’d like to say I bought ‘Set you free’ for the Paul Maddox mix, but I didn’t haha!). Before that I used to get CD singles of tracks like “DJ Jean – The Launch” & “Hi Gate – Pitchin”. The very first one though was “ATB – Till I Come” on cassette!!
Crazy weekend's away or Quiet weekends in the studio?
Crazy weekends!! The Studio is for weekdays, weekends are my time haha.
Most memorable gig?
That’s the hardest question!! I couldn’t name just one. Gigs like Lashes vs BK @ Garlands when I was 18 stand out. I played the set in between them, which went out live on the radio to tens of thousands of people. Also Gatecrasher Summer Sound System in 2007, where I played to about 5,000 people and my set was hailed by many as best of the festival, which was an amazing feeling for me.
Thanks to Neal for taking time out to answer a few questions for us, any final words for us?
Of couse haha. Make sure you come to Kiddfectious’ 2nd Birthday! Part 1 is Friday 29th @ The Vaults, Dublin1, and part 2 is @ The Temple, Carlow. As I’ve already said, keep a look out for my new label NTR (New Tech Revolution), with the first release coming out in February. Also, I have an album coming out on Audio Surgery in the summer so keep a look out for that!!
For more information on Neal please visit
http://www.djnealthomas.com
http://www.bebo.com/DJ_Neal_Thomas
http://www.facebook.dj/nealthomas
NTR Head Honcho- Neal Thomas Speaks To HarderEdge
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