If you've caught Frank Storm hurling a sonic spear through Sankeys' basement, you'd likely agree that he plays by the very definition of his surname. Behind the Unusual Suspects residency from day dot, he's ultimately spearheaded the residency's ethos of pushing top-notch music that rumbles beneath the mainstream scene.
Storm's relationship with the White Isle runs deep, with his artist bio telling us that he was born in Italy, and made in Ibiza. By that he's throwing a little credit to the soils of the island as he considers playing here to be the most important step he's made in his decade-long DJ career to date.
That career was sparked by the influence of his uncle, who was the one to feed his ears with electronic beats and by the age of 13, Storm got his first CDJs and mixer. His formative years as a selector were spent in Milan from 2005 with him mixing in iconic clubs like Amnesia Milano and Magazzini Generali, before he was snapped up by Bolgia Club as a resident for four years.
Much like the millions of other Ibiza enthusiasts that exist on this planet, Storm was lured by the island's energy and considers this place unbeatable. Before being brought into the Unusual Suspects fold, he held down a residency at No Name Ibiza, and gave clubbers a taste of his poison at Space, Pacha and The Zoo Project.
Kicking off this year's Sankeys Presents Unusual Suspects mix series last month, we got a good taste of what he's all about as a mixer and as a producer with some of his own cuts being blasted. This week, he's digging out the records again to give us his top ten tracks that are doing the damage with the Unusual Suspects mob.
Hit play, hear them out and get yourselves to Sankeys for Storm's upcoming dates this month. Get your tickets below.
Italo Johnson / 07a1 (Floorplan Remix) / Italo Johnson
"Here's a record that is a perfect mix between the finest sound of Italo Johnson and the energy of Floorplan. Guaranteed scenes on the dance floor when this is served."
DXC / Rạng đông / Hotflush Recordings
"Hypnotic tune from German guru DXC, with a bit of acid inside. Wicked."
Allistar Colling / Cafe Sol ( Para Carolina - Jerome Sydenham Remix) / Ibadan Records
"With romantic piano chords, this is a superb closing set beat from the solid Iban boss Jerome Sydenham."
The Amazing / Quest ce que vous voulez? / Promo
"A cracker from the vault here, with this track from 2000. Loaded with scattered drums and amazing French vocal, and everything's balanced in the right way."
Konrad Black / Scorched Earth (Barac Interpretation) / Meander
"Konrad is a master of groove, and mixed with Barac's class – this lands perfectly in the middle of a set. Sick stuff."
Frank Storm, Nici / A Man Dressing Like A Child / Get Physical Music
"A little something special for me here with a track that I produced with my good friend Nici. Released only in June, it's still feeling fresh when I dig this out."
Eats Everything & Lord Leopard / Song For / Dirtybird
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"An absolute bomb when dropped in Sankeys' basement. Synth drum fills and the vocal really sets this off. Eats Everything and Lord Leopard – you guys deserve big praise for this one."
The Mole / In My Song / Wagon Repair
"Hypnotic, housey and with strange vocal distortions, this is one of my favourite tracks. I especially love banging it out in the morning at sunrise."
Mirko loko / Artificiel / Cocoon Recordings
"A modular track that's literally a journey; you can close your eyes and start to travel with your mind."
Sakro / No Time To Explain / Raum Musik Germany
"Hypnotic synth, a warm bassline and a cool rolling snare – ingredients that never let this track become boring. Another masterpiece from Raum Muzik."
