Meet Susie Otto | House & Techno DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susie Otto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been creative from a young age. Music was always there growing up, and over the years I found what moves me and want to share that with others. I have a creative day job as a graphic designer, and my DJ career came naturally after growing up, playing cello in orchestra and eventually falling in love with electronic music.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a graphic designer in my day job, music felt like a natural path for my creative brain to explore. I’ve always had a good ear and a love for all kinds of music. Growing up, I remember dancing to MTV in my living room and feeling especially drawn to electronic sounds. Over time, I discovered countless genres that resonated with me, but techno and house truly hit the spot, sparking both physical and emotional reactions. I love music that makes me want to move, jump, or lift my arms, close my eyes, and take it all in.

Looking ahead, my goal is to create immersive experiences that go beyond just playing tracks. I want my shows to be a full journey, with quality sound, intentional visuals, and lighting that all work together to heighten the collective energy in the room. I believe music is deeply healing, and that gathering to experience it at a club or festival creates a sense of connection and release that we don’t even fully understand yet. My vision is to craft sets where people can lose themselves, feel inspired, and walk away lighter than when they arrived.

I’ve learned a ton about the scene and the craft of DJing. The biggest lesson has been keeping my eyes on my own path, not getting caught up in comparing myself to others, and staying positive even when things move slower than I’d like. Those lessons keep me grounded and excited for what’s ahead, because I know I’m building something authentic and long-lasting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely start off with some of my favorite spots around Fort Worth and mid-cities where I’m based. One of my favorite spots is BREWED for delicious brunch and the Modern Art Museum is a must for art inspiration and it also has a cute cafe that overlooks the water around the museum. Truth Vinyl in Arlington is a cool record shop that turns into a bar in the evenings and is always a fun stop.

In Dallas, Deep Ellum is a must for the street art, live music at places like RBC and TX Tea Room and there’s a new spot called Puzzles that’s worth seeing. Good Side Pizza is great spot for late-night food.

Most importantly, I’d make sure we caught an underground DJ show or warehouse party. That’s really the core of the music scene here and what makes it special. Some of the more popular venues I love are Green Light Social with their Ruby Room rooftop, It’ll Do, Sounders and SILO. For after hours, the best spots are DeDior and COBA. They’ve always had a great vibe every weekend.

I’d also try to squeeze in some time at White Rock Lake to just relax and recharge.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been a part of several collectives in Dallas, and I’m a founding member of the Funky Gold Network started by Jess Baroness, which is an awesome crew of professional DJs over 40 in DFW. I have worked with some very talented individuals because of this and currently being mentored by VOZZ (Richard Park) and Kelly Reverb.

Website: www.dj.susieotto.com

Instagram: @susieotto

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/susieotto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@susieotto

Image Credits
1. Shafar Media
2. Lucci
3. Lucci
4. Shafar Media
5. Shafar Media
6. Lucci
7. Shafar Media
8. Faith Thompson
9. Shafar Media