The Steel City Soul Club Biography
In late 1999, David Riel, "DJ Riel" took his passion for collecting vintage Soul, Reggae, Funk and other 60's and 70's sounds to spread the love to the willing ears of the City of Pittsburgh. Riel wanted to bring to the Pittsburgh club scene what he had been seeing and doing at the Vintage Scooter Rally scene all over America years before.
The night was to be a recreation, but not a mimic of the old mod haydays in the 70's when people would dress up in their finest attire, usually a mohair or tonic suit, some loafers or Doc Martens, and hop on their Vespa or Lambretta to go out to the club for a night of dancing. Going out to the club wasn't just about socializing, it was also about hearing the best music on vinyl, looking sharp, and enjoying a common dance, something many modern club nights have lost over the years.
After doing many nights in and around Pittsburgh, Riel started the highly popular Restless! Soul Night and 5 years later started Revival! Both nights we an immediate hit and sponsored nights over a 7 years span, hosting guest DJ's from all over the states, and the world, and in the later years included long time friend and DJ Ian Friend (Soulfulfella). With them I have had countless numbers of original copies of some of the best and rarest soul music you can't find on 45 come through the burgh. Although as a musical purist, in the simplist sense, it's never been about the rarity of the record but the content on that slab of vinyl. It wasn't played unless it was good and willing to get your feet moving on the dance floor.
Beyond Restless! and Revival!, Riel was part of a team to promote 2 highly successful Northern Soul Allnighters in Pittsburgh, DJ'ed countless club nights and events in Pittsburgh, around the US, and in Europe. The soulful vibes and energetic performance was requested back time after time, and still is to this day. The old soul sound will never grow tired; the Steel City Soul Club will keep that fire burning!
Steel City Soul Club Promotionals:
Promo Video for the Restless! Soul Night | More Restless! Video Footage
Soul Survival Article in the Tribune-Review |
Soul Friday Mixtape | Lux Magazine article (Page 60-64)
