Over the years Storm has built a solid name for herself as the "first lady of Drum and Bass". A title which is definitely deserved when you take into account her tight mixing and exclusive and varied selection.  She was there at the start of Metalheadz with Kemistry and has done a lot over the years to develop the sound and build the reputation which Metalheadz holds so proudly today.  As well as her work with Metalheadz she founded the feline collective with a number of other female Djs including Alley Cat which looks set to make a welcome return in 2011 after hosting the main room at Sun and Bass this summer. 

We caught up with Storm to ask her how her years been, what shes got in store next and also about being at the start of Metalheadz and life as a professional DJ...

Q1. Firstly thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. How's 2010 been for you?

A1. It's been an interesting year for me, I have as I always have enjoyed all my gigs . I love drum and bass as passionately as I always have and it is always a joy to meet and work with promoters I have worked with before and enjoyed meeting new promoters. Promoters who push my music are like minded they love this music and are prepared to work hard and that is how I am so it's always great to meet people who want to chat DnB and hear about the state of DnB in different places. I have been to some new locations , which is always exciting. It's great that Metalheadz have come back strong with their new night in London and in new locations. It was fantastic for me personally to have my own night Feline playing in the main room in Sun and Bass this year , it was a real achievement for the ladies and it was a real honour for us. And even though I am biased we had a fantastic night and all the ladies who performed really excelled , I was very proud of us all.

Q2. Seems like your legendary status has started to take full effect recently, Whats changed lately?

A2. Not sure why that is but it is always great to be in demand and be able to bring my sound , I love what I do and it is not hard when you love what you do to show that love. I think the world of the internet helps, having sets online so people can hear your vibe. I also, earlier this year, started hosting the radio show for Metalheadz on Ministry of Sound Radio, which I am really enjoying.

Q3. One of the biggest success what people will know about is your 'Metalheadz' Care to tell us about how that came about? Plus any trivia people may not know?

A3. The Metalheadz work came about after Goldie got signed by a major label for his first album Timeless. Goldie realised he didn't have enough time to dedicate to the label so he asked Kemistry and myself to take over the running of the label. It was a natural decision as we were already part of a joint dream we all had together. We were out one night at Rage listening to Grooverider and Fabio and when we came home that night Goldie said "I am going to make this music and you two (Kemistry and myself ) will DJ that music" , by this time we had already decide DJing was our chosen path, we will make a label , a club and merchandising. For the next few years we lived that dream so it was a logical progression for Kemistry and I to run the label. Six months after starting to run the label we got offered a club night on a Sunday at a club called The Blue Note , we had 5 weeks to trial the night and make it run, it was such a major success we stayed in that venue until it closed. Kemistry and myself had become accomplished DJ's. The merchandising had already been created by Goldie. We had between us achieved all three parts of the dream Goldie prophecised that night , that's why on the back of Platinum Breaks , the first compilation we put out on Metalheadz there is a quote by my and Kemistry's picture by Goldie which states " The triangle is complete "

Q4. Being the first lady of Drum and bass, How was the scene in the past years changed?

A4. I have to say that over the years it is still hard to be taken as seriously as a female DJ compared to male counterparts , not sure why that is. But I have always been aware that it would be harder to achieve what I wanted in a male dominated scene , but if you really want something in this world it never really seems like hard work.

Q5. What other styles are you interested in?

A5. Being a DnB purist I get all I need from DnB but I am of course aware of other music.

Q6. Any new artists your digging right now?

 

A6. I think over the last few years producers that have impressed me are SPY , who has over impressed me , Lenzman , Need For Mirrors , Lynx , Jubei , Edward Oberon , Subz +Matik , Kiat and Physics.

Q7. Can you tell us whats in store for you in the near future?

A7. I will be working hard on re establishing Feline , I have a couple of venues in mind and should have something to announce very soon, also we will be touching down in January on DNBTV again. Definitely looking forward to Metalheadz Christmas party at Cable , it should be off the wall! I will be touching down in Singapore in January and playing in Tubingen and Wuppertahl in Germany around the Christmas period. Also have to say I am excited about playing for Traffic on New Years Eve.

Q8. Whats been the best year for you? Tunes, Vibe, Nights etc

A8. I have to say Metalheadz at the Blue Note was the most awesome , real DJ's, no mixes on CD's what is that all about, being able to express themselves freely .
DJing alongside my partner Kemistry were always my favourite times , I will always miss her by my side.

Q9. Whats the worst experience you've had out dj'ing?

A9. When an airline who will be nameless lost all my luggage , I had to not only find a computer and CDR's and burn for my life but had to wash all my clothes , iron them dry to play in. The most shameful part I was reduced to playing in flip-flops ,and as everyone knows Storm always DJ's in her heels ha ha.

Q10. What tunes can you not live without at the moment?

A10. Everything in my bag , but if I had to mention a couple of things , Terminator remix by SPY , in fact all my SPY stash, Promise Remix by Lynx ,Brother from another Mother by Spirit , Masquerade remix by Die , Springy by System I could go on and on and on.

thanks a lot storm