Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Otto.
Hi Susie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for music started when I was little. My dad passed down his passion for disco, and I was an MTV kid, dancing and singing along to Madonna and Whitney Houston in the living room. I grew up in band and orchestra, and in the early 2000s I was a raver, so DJing naturally became an extension of my creative expression. I started taking it seriously in 2021 after the lockdown, when I was encouraged to finally give it a real shot. A major turning point came in 2022 when I opened a festival in Las Vegas. My friend Marlene Backes, was building something special and invited me to be part of it, and that trust and support really inspired me to pursue music professionally.
These days I’m still balancing a full-time career in corporate graphic design while gradually shifting my life toward more music-centered projects. That includes co-founding Society Noir with my business partner and friend, Rodrigo Carrizales, and working with promoters to elevate events and stream them to wider audiences. I’m thoughtful about the gigs I take; they need to make sense creatively and give me space to express myself authentically.
Lately, my vibe is all about groove: deep house, funky jackin’ house, disco, and classic house. If you’re coming to my set, be ready to move. Opening at Boogies is my happy place. There’s something special about connecting with the first dancers on the floor and setting the tone for the night. That early window is my favorite moment.
I still love playing hard-hitting techno and trance sets, but I’m intentional about creating something more than just a chaotic wall of sound. I aim for every experience to feel complete, with thoughtful visuals, curated production, and a cohesive energy throughout the night.
For our first Society Noir event at the end of January, we transformed the venue into two distinct worlds with a masquerade twist. The main room featured melodic dub, melodic techno, live performances, and hard groove from artists DEA, katiedid, ANGEL, and Meta Rū. The side room, hosted by Brian Pibb and 634, became a video lounge where dancers became part of the visuals through open projections and synchronized music videos. Despite the winter storm, we had a great turnout, and the connection between both spaces made us even more excited for future events. Huge thanks to Faith Thompson for the VIP photos and to Circus Bitties and Boogie Man Go Go Dancers for keeping the energy going all night.
I’ve always been full of ideas, but now I’m surrounded by people who want to bring them to life, and that makes me genuinely excited for what’s ahead. My focus moving forward is to keep building spaces where music, art, and community connect in meaningful ways. I want every event and every set I play to spark that feeling of unity on the dance floor, the kind that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Balancing a corporate design career while trying to build a name in music has been a constant exercise in time management and focus. There have been plenty of nights when I’ve gone straight from design deadlines into mixing or event planning with almost no sleep in between. It can be exhausting, but it’s also taught me how to streamline my creative energy and stay disciplined.
Another challenge has been overcoming the fear of starting later than others. It’s easy to compare yourself to DJs who have been performing for years, or even decades, but I’ve learned that timing doesn’t define talent or passion. Everyone’s path unfolds differently, and when I stopped worrying about where I “should” be, I was able to enjoy the process more and grow faster.
On the event production side, there are always obstacles—venues that fall through, budgets that stretch too thin, unpredictable weather, or marketing that doesn’t catch traction as fast as you’d hope. Each of those moments has forced me to become more resourceful and collaborative. I’ve learned that the key is surrounding yourself with people who share your vision and keep pushing even when things don’t go as planned, and sometimes “less is more.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I split my time between design, DJing, and event production, and each one fuels the other. By day, I’m a corporate graphic designer; by night, a DJ, event producer, and creative lead for Funky Gold Records. I’m currently promoting our first artist, Carl VLo, with co-founders Jess Baroness and Vozz Rich. We’re passionate about house music and channel that energy into every project, from the dancefloor to the studio and our events.
My sound is groove-driven: deep house, jackin’ house, disco, and classic house, with room for harder textures when the night calls for it. My sets focus on pacing and tension, building energy gradually rather than dropping every big track at once. I’m best known for my opening sets at Boogies and for my work with Society Noir and Funky Gold. With Society Noir, I merge design and music, shaping atmosphere through branding, space, and lighting. With Funky Gold, I help lead a crew that lives and breathes house music.
I’m most proud of the moments when everything clicks, when the visuals, sound, and crowd all move in sync. What sets me apart is seeing design and music as one process. Whether it’s a flyer, stage layout, or DJ set, it all comes down to one question: how does this make people feel, and what kind of world are we inviting them into?
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Dallas is that it feels like it is growing in real time. You can watch the scene level up month by month. Silo has made Dallas a real stop for huge international names, and the EDM scene is flourishing. It is a big room that can handle large-scale production, while spots like It’ll Do offer a more intimate experience that headliners really love. I have heard some artists say that playing It’ll Do feels like playing a house party and brings them back to why they love to play in the first place.
Our local scene is just as inspiring. The community is full of talented DJs, so on any given weekend there are multiple shows worth going to, and sometimes it is honestly hard to choose. I love that local lineups still pull great crowds and that people here genuinely show up for local talent. I can see Dallas becoming a destination for music because of the melting pot of house music we have and the way the community continues to grow and support it.
As a promoter and event producer, it means there is a big pool of local artists to work with, which pushes us to be thoughtful and intentional about how we build lineups. I am still relatively new to producing events and I know I have a lot to learn, but that is part of what makes it fun. Every show teaches me something, and I try to keep the focus on creating spaces where people can let go, connect, and enjoy the music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dj.susieotto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susieotto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusieOttoDJ/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@susieotto
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susieotto
Image Credits
Main “Joy” – by Jess Baroness
Susie Otto / Rodrigo Carrizales for Society Noir | by Faith Thompson
Society Noir Event – by James Trann
NRG Event by Tony Renteria
Yoga Event by Lucci Cabrera
Boogies – by Jess Baroness
Boogies – by Jess Baroness
Blood Bath Rave by Kira Media
Blood Bath Rave by Kira Media
Boogies – by Andrew Bobbit
