Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Souza.
Danny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My love for House music began in Brazil in 1996, when I was first introduced to Dance music. At the time, international dance hits were incredibly popular, and there was a radio station called Jovem Pan that played nonstop electronic and dance tracks. I was instantly hooked.
Fast forward to high school — I began exploring genres like trance and house. I managed to get my hands on an Ion Audio ICD02ksp DJ controller and started teaching myself how to DJ using my CD collection. I played at high school parties, which sometimes led to wild nights and even trashing my dad’s house — sorry, Dad (he never found out; we were great at cleaning up!).
After graduating, I joined the Marine Corps as an infantryman. Despite the demands of military life, my passion for music never faded. On my days off, I would search for electronic shows in the cities near where I was stationed. One of my core memories is from my first deployment to Iraq in 2009. I bought a DVD from a local bazaar titled Sensation White, a recording of the legendary music festival in Amsterdam. That DVD exposed me to even more electronic subgenres and reignited my desire to DJ.
Then came 2020 — when the COVID pandemic hit, I took the opportunity to dive back into DJing. I bought a DDJ-400, relearned the craft, and started livestreaming sets from home. After the pandemic, I began playing smaller local gigs (shoutout to Nate C!).
In 2023, I co-founded Tonatiuh Events with the mission of growing the Tech House scene in Downtown Greenville. We began organizing ticketed events featuring local DJs, helping build a community around House music where there previously weren’t many options.
My vision when I started Tonatiuh Events was to bring the music that influenced me — from artists like Oscar G, Erick Morillo, Chus & Ceballos, Roger Sanchez, Carl Cox, and many others — and share that energy and sound with a new generation of music lovers in my city.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road.
When I first started, there were very few places in Greenville that embraced House music. The scene was mostly dominated by EDM — specifically big room and dubstep. While there were some minimal and techno underground events, there was almost no space for Tech House, especially within the Latino community. That lack of representation gave me the motivation to create my own events and carve out a space for our sound and culture.
Eventually, that drive led me to lock down two residencies, which allowed me to not only push the music I love but also support and showcase local artists. Through those platforms, I’ve been able to help reintroduce and educate people about DJ culture and etiquette — something that’s often overlooked in towns that haven’t fully caught up with global House music culture.
One of the biggest ongoing challenges is the constant stream of song requests, which can interfere with the artist’s ability to guide the musical journey. Part of the magic of House music is discovery — letting the DJ curate an experience and introduce people to tracks they might never hear otherwise. I’ve always believed in protecting that space and helping audiences appreciate it.
I’m also a strong advocate for fair pay for DJs. Our work is often undervalued, and that can make it difficult for many talented people to pursue a full-time career in music. I experienced that firsthand early on in my journey. In January 2024, with the encouragement and support of my girlfriend (who also manages me), I made the leap to follow my passion and pursue DJing full time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a DJ and event curator who specializes in Afro House, Latin House, and Tech House — and I’m proud to be one of the few in my city who focuses solely on those styles. These genres are deeply rooted in rhythm, culture, and community, and I bring that spirit to every set I play.
More recently, I’ve begun producing my own tracks, blending my influences to create a signature sound that represents both my background and vision. Integrating my own music into my sets has opened a new chapter in my journey, allowing me to share even more of my identity through sound.
I have had also the privilege of opening for top artists such as Biscits, Maddie Reese, Morgan Page, and DJ EU. Have also played at major venues like District Atlanta, Bond, and festivals such as Voyage Festival, Pangea, and Sonic Oasis. Ive acquired two residency’s at The Cocktail Company and Cats Pajamas, continuously growing my presence in the Greenville area.
I’m most proud of the space I’ve helped cultivate — not just for myself, but for other local artists and fans of House music who finally have a place where they feel represented and energized. It’s not just about playing music; it’s about building a community through it.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely see myself as someone who takes calculated risks, especially when it comes to chasing what I believe in. In this industry, playing it safe often means staying stagnant — and that’s never been an option for me.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving a stable job to pursue DJing full-time in early 2024. It wasn’t an easy decision, but with the support of my partner and the momentum I had built with my residencies and Tonatiuh Events, I knew it was time to fully commit. The uncertainty was real, but so was the drive.
This year, I’m taking another major leap by working to expand my network beyond Greenville. We plan to start booking out-of-town and international DJs for our events and, in return, build relationships that open doors for me to play in new cities and countries. It’s a big investment of time, money, and trust, but I believe growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and betting on yourself.
To me, risk is necessary — not just for success, but for evolution. Whether it’s trying a new sound, launching a new event, or connecting with unfamiliar audiences, every risk is a chance to level up and get closer to your vision.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_dannysouza/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/61553635831065/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@tonatiuhevents?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKbQkRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp4M_2KeAtn0Gn4_xqCNBC7WVhD0feqFAdxbO455rYByZqINbDmNloubjWLmH_aem_0V7XZX1KdNlXFk2BJ47n8w
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/zmnxE4NhLbpCJRCh8
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonatiuh.events?_t=ZT-8tS56UeZ4Ys&_r=1&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKbQpFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpzO6bW4MUDQsPAZZUcUvgUFR4Cdomo1IDGUlfdlkDBHLddmNuAlkJobMDr28_aem_axAxHORephZKFl62h_HuuQ
