Today we’d like to introduce you to Stormi Michalski
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I first received a DJ controller as a surprise birthday gift when I turned 20, I had no idea I would be headlining my favorite venue in St. Louis less than a year later. The story of DJ STORMI began when I started going to raves around the St. Louis area at venues like Mississippi Underground; I would always hope to hear my favorite genres played live, but they never were. After watching DJs on stage for months and being dissatisfied by their song selections and stage presence, I decided to try taking on the role of being the DJ myself, which turned out to be a major hit with the local rave scene! I am so grateful I get to give back to the St. Louis scene in this way, and I cannot wait to throw my own raves for the community. The first show I ever played was at the Broadway Boat Bar, and I barely knew how to use a DJ controller. Now, with the support of the STL rave scene, I am able to play much bigger shows and play the music I would want to hear on the dance floor!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since my first show in May of 2024, the road to today has had a fair share of bumps and wins. Since DJing is a hobby I am choosing to pick up, practicing on my own volition must become part of my routine. Studying which subgenres and tracks are popular, knowing how to purchase music and keep it organized, and networking with other DJs and promoters is necessary. Building a solid social media following and presence is also in the 2025 DJ Handbook, which can be challenging because the hobby is about music, not content creation. Being rejected when asking to play shows or feeling left out of established DJ groups is also common, and finding a niche can be challenging. Despite a few bumps in my road, I have greatly enjoyed my time as a DJ so far, and I am grateful for all the bookings I have had the pleasure to play so far- with much more to come in the future!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an EDM DJ, I carve out my niche by specializing in subgenres, namely dubstep and hardstyle, by having a large knowledge base and collection of songs. While anybody can pick up a DJ controller and learn how to blend two tracks together in a matter of minutes, what sets me apart is my song selection. Since I have been listening to almost exclusively EDM for nearly half my lifespan, the songs I play to the crowd are often niche tracks I have been enjoying for years, or new releases by hot producers in my subgenre. A major reason why I have gained attention in the STL rave scene is my willingness to break from the mold and play subgenres that do not get much air time, and ravers are discovering that they enjoy my sets. Something I am most proud of is the number of ravers that come up to me at shows to say hi, and I am happy I already have a wide reach in St. Louis by playing the music I love. I enjoy trading kandi with other ravers, and I’m proud I have reached so many souls with my actions! I also run a Facebook group with over a thousand members called STL Hardstyle Scene in which I educate ravers unfamiliar with my genre and bring together ravers across the US that enjoy hardstyle! I promote local raves and events in my group, and help small creators spread their work to a larger audience!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
While COVID paused all mass gatherings of people, including raves, it didn’t pause our love for music. A beautiful aspect of the EDM community was throwing online raves during COVID, and I discovered much of the music that shaped me into the DJ I am today during the COVID era. I learned that the online EDM community is thriving, and I became familiar with memes, genres, and traditions before returning to the dancefloor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/stormi_raver
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormi_raver/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/stormi_raver/ and https://www.instagram.com/stormi_raver/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stormi_raver/sets/stormi-sets
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/stormiraver.bsky.social
