By Louise Monger

There are not many ladies in the big bad world that is drum ‘n’ bass and certainly not many that have held reign with the best of the best as DJ Storm has for the last fifteen years. Ahead of her Australian tour, Storm takes a minute to give LOUISE MONGER an insight into a DJ career that spans two decades.

From humble beginnings as a raver on the dancefloor, Storm quickly realised her passion for drum ‘n’ bass was all encompassing and formed a formidable duo with good friend Kemistry.  The girls kept good company, learning tricks of the trade from the likes of Randall and Fabio and assisting Goldie with seminal drum ‘n’ bass label Meatalheadz. Tragically in 1999, Kemistry was killed in a car accident and DJ Storm was left to forge a solo career.

These days Storm divides her time between touring as DJ, running Metalheadz and assisting at workshops such as the Red Bull Music Academy, a role that she finds very rewarding. “The Academy has always been insightful I just love what this organisation is all about and I have to thank them for my only time and chance to play in Brazil, I would have never been booked if it wasn't for them, and the double whammy that time to hear Robert Owens lecturing and to see the skills of Cut Chemist at close quarters was truly an awesome experience. You realise that the passion and the dedication you have for your scene is there and it is so encouraging to see and feel that first hand, sometimes I think I am too professional , but when I meet like-minded artists it makes me feel like I am not so boring.”

Much of her Academy lecture focuses on the art of DJing and when questioned if she has any desire to produce music, it’s clear where her enthusiasm lies, “I am happy mixing, it is my one true passion and I work incredibly hard at it because I love it. I do believe you had to show your skills back in the day, it seems things have changed, it seems now if you make a track and it does well you can now become a producer/DJ, even if you’re not very good or dedicated to your DJing. Back in the day if you worked hard you got respected, but with the music media - especially in the UK - being about the latest thing, the whole culture has changed. This makes me more determined.”

Her determination has served her well and as she embarks on another tour of Australia she reflects on past trips, “I have had some of my best times in Australia the energy of the people is pretty amazing you people know how to party! And of course the awesome barbecues I have attended, I thought I was going to come back looking like a sausage, mmm yummy! Last time in Perth I did one of my favourite things ever and went to the Zoo, it was so wicked, boy you have some weird and wonderful creatures out there and I can't wait!”

Catch Dj Storm - Saturday 4 November 2006 @ Rise