Meet Los Angeles born, witchy dark wave sister Susana Segura, aka DJ La Gitana747. Currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area she works in customer service by day and is a vinyl collector, music lover, and vinyl selector DJ in the rest of her time. She currently holds a residency at Pops with her Vinyl & Tarot nights Noche de Hechiceras which she co-founded. These nights spotlight Latin Music, Dark Wave, Synth, and Post Punk.

When not behind her DJ set up, or hosting a vinyl and Tarot night Susana is going to shows and concerts, and "...simply being around arts and music - its always been important to expose the arts to my children from young age, be it music, art, dance, all the things passed down from generation to generation."

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

Music lover from birth, raised in South East Los Angeles, my father was a huge inspiration and his love for music, remembering the first vinyl console we had growing up. First memories of vinyl records was opening this huge console made of wood and green velvet, lifting the top would take two arms it was so heavy for a 5 year old child. Once opened all these amazing genres in the box popped out, from Motown, oldies, Chicano Rock, funk, Boleros, Cha Cha, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, and so much more... the beginning of my love for vinyl and music. Basically just living and growing up in Los Angeles was such a musical influence to me.

What is a day in the life like?

A day with an DJ event is a busy one, off in the early morning to the day job, then set up all my vinyl to prepare for what I am going to put on my decks for the evening.

In your opinion what has been your favorite / the coolest thing you've worked on?

Being the co-founder of a unique evening of music and Tarot readings as Noche de Hechiceras. Super proud to have started a resident night we have monthly in the Mission District San Francisco at Pops where we spotlight musica latina, a mix of Cumbia, Rock en Espanol, Dark Wave, Synth, and Post Punk.

On this evening we invite a Tarot Reader from our community to introduce the art of Tarot to others. Our night is special and super proud to mix vinyl and Tarot in one night. The night is a journey through music and spirituality. One of my favorite parts of the evening is to invite special guest vinyl selectors and collectors to have an opportunity to spin those genres as well as our resident collective.

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

I would like to see more opportunities for women vinyl DJ selectors of all ages, from young to middle aged, we all are here and present and can learn from each other.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you’re doing?

Look into vinyl DJ workshops in your community!

Also, social media may help in introducing to others that may collect vinyl to similar genres you enjoy and be yourself.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself? What drew you to it? If not, why the vinyl industry?

"Vinyl Collector' is the exact way I like to introduce myself. My family and friends through the years drew me to loving music, and then the start of building up my vinyl collection. A vinyl record is special to me from the time you see the art on the cover, and open the sleeve, and that pop and sound on the vinyl deck. Sometimes it's emotional, it may take you to a memory in your life, that music was therapy.

I say every vinyl record that I own has a story behind it, it may be family inherited vinyl, a friends favorite song, a love song that has a sentimental memory, a given record as gift, or simply a good find in a dig for records.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you’re excited or worried about? i.e. innovation, or trends you’re seeing.

Reissues, and represses of vinyl to make it accessible to others is definitely a plus! Super excited to see new artists at shows with vinyl records side by side with merch to sell.

Who has been influential to you and your growth as a professional in this industry? 

A fellow good friend Sue Problema (Rebecca), a female vinyl collector and selector who gave me confidence and encouragement. She not only gave me opportunity and a voice, she explained equipment mixing and so much more. Forever grateful for her.

Anything else you’d like to add; if not tell us what you're listening to: 

My love for Dark Wave and Cumbia - Twin Tribes combine music in English and en Espanol in the dark wave community. Also, Sonido Gallo Negro from Mexico, the beats of Cumbia with a fusion of Peruvian Psychedelic Chicha.