Oslo producer Suchi swapped a corporate job for a pair of decks

When Oslo-born DJ and producer Suchi was working a high-flying advertising job in New York a few years ago, she had an epiphany: the rat race was bringing her down, man.

“When lockdown happened, I realised this was my only opportunity to pursue the music-related projects I’d always loved doing on the side,” she says, from her mate’s house in London, where she’s visiting from her home city of Manchester.

Suchi had always been a keen record digger, hosting shows on stations such as Hoxton FM and Rinse – a solid foundation for learning the ropes of production. She picked up Ableton, some CDJs and a few helpful tips from pals, and ​“hey” slash ​“presto”: within a couple of years, Suchi was playing sets around the world, with influences ranging from Indian disco to trance and techno.

“My introduction to these sounds came predominantly from the household,” she continues. ​“My dad played the flute, my mum was interested in Bollywood music, my sister studied classical piano but also showed me loads of ​’90s dance music, pop and R&B.” Growing up in Norway, though, she wasn’t exposed to much club music – sure, French Electro acts like Justice and Ed Banger Records made their way across to her, but it wasn’t until Suchi travelled to Berlin and London that she got a taste of the heavier stuff.

She released her first two EPs, 2021’s Swift and last year’s Birdy Bell, to critical acclaim. Festivals bookings around the world rolled in, plus a Daytimers Boiler Room set curated by Yung Singh.

“Playing Sonar felt like a premature experience, but DJing to six thousand people was a really important, validating thing for me,” Suchi says. ​“And so many amazing opportunities came in off the back of [Boiler Room].”

Which leads us to Suchi’s latest EP, the superb Ghungroo (which is actually a term for small metallic bells that are strung together and worn as anklets by Indian dancers, would you believe). In many ways, it’s the Proper Club Record™ she wished she had when she was growing up, jumping from breezy breakbeat and melodic arpeggios to wobbly basslines with ease.

“It’s all about trying new techniques out,” she says. ​“It’s not like I went travelling and saw an inspiring temple and now I’m going to make a song about it. I just want to have fun and let experimentation lead the way.”

Where were you born, where were you raised and where are you now based?

I was born in Oslo, Norway, and lived there until I was 19. I moved to London for uni – I went to Central Saint Martins to study graphic design. I’ve now been based in Manchester for three years!

What’s a piece of advice that changed your life?

Love the process not the outcome. I think letting go of expectations falls into this as well, and not expecting perfect results. I started making music because I just wanted to have fun. That’s the mindset I’d like to keep myself in. That’s when the most unexpected and interesting stuff comes out.

If you were cooking to impress someone, what would you make?

Probably my mattar paneer curry. Every time I make it, it’s banging. I’ve nailed the recipe.

What’s a bad habit you wish you could kick?

Putting Tabasco on literally everything.

You rule the world for a day. What goes down?

I’d host a 24-hour rave, and free everything [we presume this means everything would be gratis, not that she’d free all prisoners and animals from captivity, but who knows?].

What’s your trick to get out of a boring conversation at a party?

Go to the toilet and never return.

Love, like, hate?

I love travelling to new places, I like salted liquorice and I hate the smell of damp towels.

How would you like Ghungroo to make listeners feel?

The title track is quite high energy. I think there’s a bit of melancholy there. I like the idea of bringing emotion to club music. Ghungroo is more contemplative; Bottle Pop is quite a funky track. There’s something for everyone.

What have you learned about yourself in the last year?

That being in the industry is quite challenging and vulnerable. There’s a lot of danger around being too close to the music sometimes. I’m in it for the long haul, so I’m taking the time to do it right and do it my way.

What can artists do to help save the world?

I don’t know if artists can save the world… But they can educate it.