For this episode of OOPTalks, we had the pleasure of sitting down with @Suggahunny - DJ, musician, producer. A free spirit with a deep love for music, movement, fashion, and art, she’s always chasing the rhythm. Whether she’s behind the decks, in the studio, or soaking up the stillness of the outdoors, she is a true sucker for peace, vibes, and creative expression, Suggahunny brings soulful energy wherever she goes.
Read on to take a glimpse into what sparked her journey, how she finds stillness, and what fuels her drive.
OOP: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Suggahunny: Hey ! I’m Desiree aka Suggahunny - Dj/musician/producer and full time unserious liver of life. I love all things music, movement, fashion and art and also a big sucker for anything involving lots of peace and nature.
OOP: So, what got you into music production and DJing?
Suggahunny: I’ve always loved to sing as far back as I can remember - as a little girl I’d hum or sing on long drives, while doing my chores, frolicing, you name it - music was there. I didn’t really think I could make a career out of it cause my family and background have nothing to do with the arts but beautifully as always, life somehow kept nudging me towards it.
Right out of college I started dabbling in events, also sang in a band with some friends until I decided to “get serious” and put it all down for a more traditional job. Flash toward 10 years with all roads leading back to music and somehow here I am, a full time DJ, singing and writing music again, producing too. Life is wild!
OOP: What does a typical day in your life look like?
Suggahunny: I operate in extremes but on a slower day, it’s usually an unpredictable mix of making or consuming music, recently been sketching a lot, dance or exercise of some sort and of course wholesome hangs with my cat and friends.
OOP: Let's hear about the Viral 'Auto Rickshaw Set'. How did it come into being? tell us everything!
Suggahunny: It was honestly fate - I was transporting my Dj console on my lap to a gig close to my house and posted a quick IG story jokingly talking about how funny it would be to Dj in an auto. That’s when a friend from a production agency ( gently altered ) reached out encouraging me to actually go through with it, we did and damn how far it’s gone. I’ve got a video on my page that breaks down everything in detail with BTS and everything go see!
OOP: What are the 3 things you do to slow down? And why do you think it is important for people to slow down?
Suggahunny: I’m a massive believer in slowing down every once in a while depending on what your mind, body and soul needs. As someone who just couldn’t figure out how to take a break until a couple years ago, I can tell you just how important slowness is for a regulated and happy nervous system. What’s the point of tension without a good release right? My go-tos are downtime with my guitar, some easy breezy yoga or a long walk along the streets of Bandra. Full disclosure, i sometimes doom-scroll for hours on a day off and that seems to help too.
OOP: As a musician who travels often, how do you stay mindful about your work-life balance? Any tip to manage work- life balance being a young touring artist?
Suggahunny: I struggle a lot with balancing my work and non work life cause at this point, they’re practically the same and they feed into each other endlessly. That said, I have the most amazing therapist who has changed my life in this department. I’m very mindful about how I spend my time before and after gigs, the timings of my flights, the energy I allow around myself, what goes into my body, taking breaks as I need them and so on. I’ve been listening to my body a lot more and it simplifies so much!
OOP: Any comment on homegrown fashion/ lifestyle brands, how you support them, and why do you think it's necessary for people to support them?
Suggahunny: I love so many brands coming out of this country. I think a lot of homegrown brands really tap into Indian sentiments and preferences in a way global brands never could. We come from such a culturally rich nation and I love to see little pieces of tradition integrated into fashion through styling, fabrics, silhouettes, colours and what not.
I try to wear local brands as much as possible and shout them out in all my content. It encourages more risks and bolder choices - we need more of that! Look at traditional desi wear - it’s impossible to put into a box. I personally wanna see a lot more of that which will only happen with our support.
OOP: What does being at YOUR OWN PACE mean?
Suggahunny: To me, being at your pace means to follow your own rhythm - march to the beat of your own drum so to speak. We are basically a sum of all our past experiences and our bodies hold on to everything - listen to them. It really is a marathon not a race so tune in to yourself and move intuitively, always at YOUR OWN PACE ;)
OOP: Any advice for someone who wants to start a career as a DJ?
Suggahunny: Do it! Society tells us we got to monetize our hobbies and puts all this pressure on us to excel and prove ourselves. I’m here to remind you, it’s just music, you create a space within which you lose yourself for a bit - let that be the goal. Performances, money, recognition etc., will only come if you enjoy what you’re doing so start small, have fun with it, let loose and build your sonic world - take it from there.
Suggahunny styles our :
Ruched Top 'Madras Magic 06' AVAILABLE HERE
Horseshoe Pants 'Dust Pink Canvas' AVAILABLE HERE
Kokoro Work Jacket 'Dust Pink Canvas' SOLD OUT