Name: Cristoph
Start: 2022-02-26T22:00-08:00
End: 2022-02-27T04:00-08:00

Franky Wah dove into dance music somewhat late in life. Formerly a footballer and bodybuilder, it wasn’t until 2017 that he dropped his debut single, “House Party.” He’s made up for lost time, though, if his trajectory since then is any indication.




Case in point: the caliber of artists on his growing list of collaborators in the past two years alone. Frankie’s music speaks for itself — and it always will — but it certainly doesn’t hurt that tastemakers at the highest level of the industry have cosigned on his talent in the studio.




More importantly, his club-ready brand of melodic house music has proven to mesh well with the styles of these world-renowned acts. Below are six such tracks that have resulted from Frankie Wah’s high-profile collaborations since the end of 2020.




1. Sasha and Franky Wah - Haunted

When longtime progressive household name (see what we did there?) Sasha joins forces with an up-and-coming artist, the world stops and listens. The dusty broken beat and reverbed melodies of “Haunted” holds the listener captive throughout its seven-minute duration, subtly building tension by introducing symphonic elements near the halfway mark.




2. Cristoph, Franky Wah, and Artche - The World You See

Cinematic sound design frames a sterling vocal in “The World You See” by Cristoph, Franky Wah, and Artche. Released only a few months after “Haunted,” it proved Franky versatile enough to collaborate with artists representing both the past and future of progressive house.




3. Lee Foss and Franky Wah - Name Of Love ft. SPNCR

Franky Wah’s collaboration with Lee Foss signaled something of a departure from the chugging tech house rhythms characteristic of the latter artist’s output. SPNCR’s radio-ready vocal sets the tone in “Name Of Love,” whose soft melodies suit it well as a closing track for DJ sets.




4. Carl Cox and Franky Wah - We Are One

Is there a stronger endorsement than getting enlisted to work on a track alongside dance music titan Carl Cox? We can’t think of one. After a chill-inducing spoken word sample delivered by the British house and techno icon himself, “We Are One” drops into equally uplifting lead synths set off by an infectiously danceable breakbeat.




5. Franky Wah and Pete Tong - Out of the Blue ft. Jules Buckley

Closing out the end of 2021 was Franky Wah’s collaboration with Pete Tong, a DJ, producer, and broadcast journalist who played no small role in introducing house music to the U.K. in the ’80s. “Out of the Blue” featuring Jules Buckley is defined by big, trance-inspired synths and soothing atmospheres.




6. Carl Cox and Franky Wah - See the Sun Rising

If it seems odd that we included two separate Carl Cox collaborations on this list, keep in mind how much you have to impress an artist at his level to compel him to work with you a second time. His second joint effort with Franky, “See the Sun Rising,” melds the galloping percussion of techno with fittingly futuristic chords.




“I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with Carl on a record prior to this one, so to work on a second track is just a testament to how smooth the writing process between us is,” Wah told Dancing Astronaut. “I visited his home last year and he mentioned he had an album coming out but I had no idea he’d ask me to be a part of it, so when the opportunity came, I was honored.”



From Sasha to Carl Cox: 6 of Franky Wah’s Biggest Collabs

We’re just days away from Miami’s infamous iii Points Festival. Since its debut in 2013, it’s won praise for its musical diversity, cultural art collaborations, and eye-popping art installations. iii Points offers a wide range of musical acts from hip-hop, pop, mainstream/ rock, and dance. Here are picks for the top house and techno artists to catch while you're in Miami.







Jamie xx

A forward-thinking beatmaker and producer helped shape the sound of the late 2000s and beyond with his English indie group the xx. As a solo artist, he tempered the restraint of his other work with his reverence for dance music's power to move bodies and hearts. His artful blend of kinetic and atmospheric is equally innovative and evocative.




Nicola Cruz

Latin American DJ and producer has always been captivating. His creative process involves a careful curation of life, nature, and sound to form a unique vibey rhythm that speaks to his roots. Intertwining the siku into his melodies, a wind instrument of Andean origin, is highly symbolic in ancestral rituals. Cruz continues to expand his vision towards new stories and other cultures as sources of inspiration. 







Black Coffee 

The South African DJ and producer built his career gradually over nearly two decades crafting a unique jungle house signature sound inspired by his cultural heritage and a love of house music. On the decks, he’s a perfectionist and delivers a euphoric performance each time he steps on stage. In 2010, he attained the Guinness World Record for longest-ever DJ set with a non-stop 60-hour set. As a producer, he’s collaborated with a wide range of artists including Usher, Diplo, Elderbrook, and David Guetta. He’s led the charge for an influx of talented artists from Africa and is arguably the continent's largest dance music export.










Peggy Gou

Hailing from South Korea, DJ and producer one of the leading ladies in house and techno. Gou became internationally renowned for her energetic sets and acclaimed tracks such as “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane),” “Starry Nigh”, and “I Go.” Her vibrant, joyous productions echo vintage deep house and post-disco without sounding like throwbacks.




Maceo Plex

A legend in the techno scene, Eric Estornel has produced and performed under numerous aliases like Maetrik and Mariel Ito. It’s under his Maceo Plex moniker that he is most well known for. The Miami-based DJ and producer played at countless iconic festivals and released a slew of records, singles, projects, and is the owner of Ellum Audio. His sound is dramatic and elegant, an aesthetic you can hear on the ambitious “Solar,” named after his son. He’s adept at mixing dark, more sci-fi-influenced tones with moving melodies. A true master of the craft who always performs with quality.




Patrick Topping

Hailing from England, the savvy DJ and producer has contributed a constant flow of positivity to the music scene he loves so dearly. He’s known for vibrant tech-house tracks such as “Be Sharp Say Nowt,” “Forget,” “Rocket Fuel,” and the infamous collab with Green Velvet “Voicemail.” Equally talented as a DJ, Patrick has attained international status as a headline act. His illustrious discography, blossoming label TRICK, and affiliation with party brands such as elrow prove he is at the top of his game. As he continues to inject his energy into refining his craft and building his crew of talented acts, Patrick is entering a new level of artistry.




Cristoph 

Inspired by the progressive sounds of musical legends like Sasha and Digweed, Christoph has developed his take on melodic house that’s as emotional as it is dance floor ready. He mastered his craft on vinyl and then developed a sound that gained the notice of Eric Prydz. In the last few years tracks like “Sleepless Nights,” “Out of Reach,” and “Breathe” with Camelphat have catapulted him to the top of the charts. He continues to release more music along with his radio show Consequence of Society. 




Michael Bibi

A certified icon of the underground scene, the English producer has crafted countless killer tracks. His raw passion for music began at a young age. Bibi has carved out and established a distinct signature sound translating into support from some of the industry’s biggest names. He’s also got a signature haircut that’s often imitated, but never quite duplicated. Bibi's unique production style and off-the-wall vocals are the keys to his success. 




Fjaak 

The German duo is known for their driving, energetic tracks ranging from house to storming warehouse techno. They are also known to toss in an occasional U.K. garage, dub, or breakbeat hardcore tune for good measure. The weed-loving duo consists of Felix Wagner and Aaron Röbig, who commonly perform in dark dungeonous settings, so iii Points will be a unique opportunity to experience a slice of rave in the sunshine. Filled with grit and sensuality, their tracks are all composed entirely on analog equipment. 







Danny Daze 

The Miami native is known for mixing classic electro, Detroit techno, and funk with glistening 80s-90s vibes. Daniel Gomez makes raw and authentic tracks supported by many of the other pristine techno artists who will also be playing at the festival. His radical approach to preserving music’s integrity while breaking its boundaries may seem volatile, but it’s not random. 






Get Familiar With the House and Techno Artists of iii Points Festival

United Kingdom

Cristoph

After a sold-out two-night run at the Brooklyn Navy Yard alongside Eric Prydz, Christoph returns to New York for a solo headlining show in an intimate setting. The British DJ/producer's soaring melodics and driving low-end progressive house have captured the hearts of millions of listeners globally. Dancefloor filling future classics like "Breathe" with CamelPhat and Jem Cooke, "Out of Reach" with Yotto and Sansa, and "The World You See," with 

 have catapulted into the top echelon of a new wave of producers reviving a classic sound in dance music. Join us in welcoming this genre-defining producer to the stage for an extended set at Quantum Brooklyn. 

Franky Wah

What genre would you describe your music as?

Melodic house and techno

Where are you from?

Yorkshire, UK

What age did you start DJing?

23

If you weren't a DJ, what would you be doing for your career?

I would have followed in my dad's footsteps and become a farmer.

What's your favorite artist/style of music outside of dance music?

Alicia Keys without a doubt.





“I was 11 years old listening to this trance classic, counting bars, listening differently. I remember thinking, is this how 11-year-olds listen to music or is it how producers in the making hear music.” Luke Storrs, AKA Franky Wah, has many musical moments from his past for which the memories are so vivid, he can recount who he was with, what he was wearing, and where he was. Despite seeming to have a brain built for music, Luke tried out many other things in life before determining that success in music gave him the greatest feeling over any other type of success. 

“I’ve gone in and out of all sorts of stuff in my life. I did football, bodybuilding… I came in seventh in mister universe. I competed on world stages at bodybuilding, I played against Manchester United in football in a stadium at age 16... none of it filled the purpose I was seeking in music. You strive towards these goals… but compared to playing the main stage of Creamfields, it just didn’t feel the same.” 

Luke’s first release came in 2017, a proper tech house EP heater called ‘House Party.’ Although the track was received well and has high-quality production, Luke’s sound has changed tremendously over the years. As he has matured, the music he listens to has changed and he has fought to define his own identity. “I think age had a lot to do with it. When you’re younger your musical palette is less influenced and you’re playing/making more what you hear outside. As I grew, tech-house didn’t stimulate me enough in the studio… I took piano lessons for three years and wanted to put it in my music. I couldn’t do that with tech-house.”

It took Luke time to fully realize where he wanted to take his sound. There were many moments over the years that helped push him across the line. He described attending Sonus Festival in Barcelona as a pivotal moment for his sonic transformation. “I had one of those moments to a record by Bicep (‘Opal - Four Tet Remix). I remember coming back after thinking I needed to play and make music like that. It was a sign from the universe. The feeling I had on the dancefloor, I had to replicate that in my sound.”

Luke’s sound began to transform in 2018. Although he was not producing the type of melodic house that he is now, the seeds of growth began to show. His ‘Motives EP’ was highly experimental and felt melodic for something in the world of tech-house. He followed this with the track ‘What Have You Done’ and ‘Disco Inferno,’ all of which strayed from his earlier sound and incorporated melodies and deeper bass sounds. 

For Luke, it was about slowly breaking the mold. “Tech house can be formulaic. I was trying to stay in the boundaries of the genre while also pushing and staying fresh. One of the EPs was with Steve Lawler and it helped open doors for me. The work rate was so high, in 2018 I put out 48 records. I wanted people to see my stuff. Eventually after ‘Get Me High’ (January 2019) I wanted a fresh start where we worked to be more strategic about rolling out music.”

‘Get Me High’ turned out to be the pivotal track of Luke’s career. It launched him into different conversations and allowed him to start 2019 with a fresh perspective. “So many different people were able to play it. Tale Of Us and Solomon were hammering it, but so was Tiesto and Nervo… Annie Mac supported it and premiered it first.” The support felt universal and led to a collaboration that to this day, still blows Luke’s mind.

Legendary DJ Sasha told Luke that the track was a staple in his set, and when he was building his entire sets around when he would play it out. Eventually, the two linked up in the studio to produce the incredible ‘Haunted EP.’ “For anyone aspiring to climb that ladder… I’m from a village with 800 people. There’s no scene… Anything is possible. [Sasha] is an icon. To work with him, it was so career and life-affirming for me. Am I really at this level where I’m worthy of working with this kind of artist?”

The inspiring moments kept coming for Luke. In 2019, he was booked to play the main stage of Creamfields. He describes the experience as one of the first moments where he truly felt like his career was on the right path. “I always joke that the stage is pretty much the same size as the village that I come from. We live for those moments as artists. I had flown in from Ibiza playing at Hi. It was the first real feeling of wow this is going somewhere… It keeps me going, looking forward to these moments.”

Since conquering the main stage of Creamfields and releasing music with Sasha, Luke has been on an absolute tear. He has since released music with Anjunadeep, collaborated with Lee Foss, and taken the Beatport #1 throne with his biggest song yet, ‘The World You See.’ The Cristoph collaboration released on Pryda was just another moment of recognition for Luke. “We’re great friends now. We’re planning a tour together with you guys over the pond. WE’ve got more music coming. Some are more universal sounding, but mate we’ve got some absolutely disgustingly dirty warehouse records coming too.”

For Luke going forward, it’s all about continuing his climb up the ladder while remaining humble and self-critical. He is working on a visual component to match his plans of a live performance, and will be launching his own label soon full of “big dark dirty warehouse music.” 2021 is looking to be another landmark year for this rising star, and per Luke’s instructions, we best keep our ears to the ground for his coming releases. “Believe me when I say, you are not ready for the next collab with Cristoph. Just remember this conversation”

Artche

In 2018 Artche floored melodic house fans with his stunning vocals for Christoph’s “Voice of Silence.”  His silky voice and heart-piercing lyrics melted over Christoph’s emotive sonics. The two Newcastle, UK artists formed a firm bond and continue to flex the boundaries of their combined talents with releases like “The World You See,” featuring the talents of Franky Wah. Remarkably, Artche never struck out to become a vocalist. It was a hidden talent realized in frustration. 

“It was born out of impatience for getting other singers to sing on the tracks and like, trying to find good ones. And the hardest bit is trying to find a good writer,” he tells me. The process of honing talent out of a sense of immediacy is one that Burn has mastered.

He prefers to work quickly. So in a moment of frustration, he recorded vocals for a demo purely as a placeholder and sent it to his manager. He thought it was rubbish, but his manager convinced him that there was potential. 

It’s not just his velvety voice that compels listeners to stream his tracks in the millions. He is a talented writer as well. The introspective lyrics from the 2021 chart smasher on Pryda Recordings, “The World You See,” illuminate the painful aftermath of a break-up.

“Rub the tears from my face. Scratch my eyes more than I take. One mistake. Share my heart, you watch it beat. I feel the pain, knock me off my feet, I'm on my knees.”

He’s humble when I ask where the talent to write reflective and relatable prose stems from. “This is another thing that was born out of desperation. I'm just winging it the whole time.”

He tells me, “The World You See,” is one of his most personal and meaningful songs. “I’d literally just broken up with my ex like two weeks before making [it]. I moved from Manchester because it was already locked down. So, I had to move back in my parent’s. So, I'm moving on studio in the spare room. And yeah, just kind of like used that experience to write about that.”

It came out surprisingly quickly for a song on a label as large as Pryda. While he's used to waiting for up to two years for songs to release, “The World You See” was written and released in less than a year. It’s a powerful COVID age anthem and its impact was monumental. “I think the most emotional ones are though,” he explains. “I think that one kind of resonated with a lot of people.”

When the conversation turns to his musical background, it becomes clear how he harnesses the power of melody so readily. He admits that he’s loved every musical style. From his early love of pop-punk to the first time he heard Snoop Dogg’s seminal “Gin and Juice,” he’s always been captivated by good storytelling. He learned to DJ with hip hop records on a pair of shitty belt drive turntables, just like so many DJs did in the late ’90s and early aughts.

His life changed when he heard a recording of Tiesto at Dutch Dimensions 2002. Halfway through the six-hour mix, Tiesto drops “Voyage” by Yahel and Eyal Barkhan. Artche became an instant trance fan. He's DJed and produced many forms of dance music, but trance holds a special place in his heart.

“I think that I still have those kinds of influences in my music, right with the melodies and stuff.” 

He’s happy that progressive and trance have made their way back to the forefront of dance music. After ten years, he’s found his way back to his roots.

He tells me that he doesn’t necessarily have a clear-cut lane. “I've liked all different kinds of music, always make every every kind of music,” he says. His surplus of beats and lengthy release cycles of other labels led him to launch his own imprint Yusual. In a given week, he’ll go from writing hard techno to elegant breaks. Yusual is an outlet for his usual style but in some unusual ways. It also means tracks come out on his schedule and with his visual aesthetic intact.

His recently released track “Waves” is a great example. Snappy breaks beautifully undercut its sophisticated undulating synths. Releasing it on his label meant he had complete creative control. The simple yet compelling music video features dancer Carly Jo Naylor performing an impassioned contemporary solo. Shot, directed, and produced by Burn "Waves" is further evidence of his homespun talent. 

Yusual is becoming more than a self-release platform. He's even more excited at the opportunity to push the talents of other artists. 

“So the next release will be somebody else called Emiliano DeMarco. That's the first guy I've actually signed… [Yusual] was initially just for my own music. But I always get amazing promos. So I just thought, you know what, I'll put out that I'm accepting demos. The one that Emiliano sent me wasn't actually a demo. So he just sent it to my promo address. But I was like, ‘I need this track!'"

Artche is the consummate creative. As he continues to add artistic endeavors to his portfolio, it’s evident that he encompasses a founding tenant of dance music culture. The fierce DIY spirit that propelled the architects of techno and house to create a sub-culture from discarded drum machines and inside abandoned warehouses lives on in Artche’s multi-talented efforts.

Cristoph Live in Brooklyn - 26/11/21

Relive the first hour of Cristoph's set recorded at Duggal Greenhouse, Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York on Friday November 26th

After a sold-out two-night run at the Brooklyn Navy Yard alongside Eric Prydz, Christoph returns to New York for a solo headlining show in an intimate setting. The British DJ/producer's soaring melodics and driving low-end progressive house have captured the hearts of millions of listeners globally. Dancefloor filling future classics like "Breathe" with CamelPhat and Jem Cooke, "Out of Reach" with Yotto and Sansa, and "The World You See," with Franky Wah and Artche have catapulted into the top echelon of a new wave of producers reviving a classic sound in dance music. Join us in welcoming this genre-defining producer to the stage for an extended set at Quantum Brooklyn. 



READ - Gray Area Spotlight: Franky Wah





READ - Gray Area Spotlight: Artche



Cristoph

John Cameron

Meagen Surowiecki