Nigel Richards is a survivor. Longevity is not your average strong suit in the music industry, but Richards has been around to tell the tale of how perseverance, ambition, and sheer feats of endless self-promotion can turn you into a success by doing what you love and continuing to stave off the rabid creditors of futile ventures.
The sole purveyor of the decade-old South Street institution, 611 Records, he has stood his ground through the crests and waves of trends and is still able to prevail on the shore, dry as a bone, and smiling his effervescent smile as the sun gleams off his bald, misshaped head.
The coming tide has brought new opportunities into Richards’ realm, as if owning a world-renowned record shop, trotting the globe as an in-demand DJ, and running several lasting labels were not enough. Next Thursday, May 20, marks the opening of Richards’ O Bar, a brand spankin’ new West Philly haunt at 40th and Spruce (underneath Copa) to satiate lounge-lovers off the beaten Center City path. Utilizing his stable of staff and staunchly loyal friend-base such as Sean O’ Neal, Mat Leutwyler, Justin Geller and the Philly Soul Collective crew as entertainment, Richards, who describes it as “a great secret hideaway,” is sure to have a hit on his hands for the jet set crowd in search of a novel urban hotspot.
Also on his plate are new releases grounded in Richards’ enduring party-techno style, mash-up bootlegs of ’80′s electro classics, such as The Human League’s “Fascination” versus M’s “Pop Muzik”. Perhaps you”ll be lucky enough to hear him spin this track at Emerald City, tomorrow night, Friday May 14, for his “611 Ways to Party” bash, with house-head and former right hand man, Carl Michaels, playing driving beats till 3:30am.
Better yet, admission to the club is free if you swing by 611 for a ticket (611 S. 4th St.). Hmm..free entrance, cutting edge music, a seasoned warrior within your grasp to ogle, can?t ask for anything more, if you ask me. And you did ask me, because you’re reading this. So go.
Emerald City, May 14, 10pm-3:30am, $10 at door without free pass, 460 N. 2nd Street, 215.413.2500, www.emeraldcityphila.com
AroundPhilly Staff
