In Washington, D.C., DJ Duchess is redefining what it means to connect music, community and wellness. As the host of ‘Cue the Cure’ on Eaton Radio, she blends mindful affirmations, sound healing and dancefloor-ready House music to create a space where listeners can breathe, move and feel seen. 

With a background in audio engineering, competitive dance and DJing, DJ Duchess has turned her passion for music into a platform that celebrates local talent, uplifts minority voices, and reminds us that the healing power of sound goes beyond the dancefloor. We spoke to DJ Duchess about ‘Cue the Cure,’ building spaces through sound and her obsession with music.

Tell us about your journey with music and why you wanted to be in radio?

DJ Duchess: I come from a family that loves music, so there’s never been a time in my life where there wasn’t music. I could whistle before I could talk, I’m not even joking! I have a degree in audio engineering and I’ve been a competitive dancer and DJ. Becoming a DJ is what connected me to Eaton Radio. I don’t know any other way to say it: the way music touches parts of my soul in ways that nothing else can is an unexplainable sensation. And being so involved in dance culture — especially House music. When people say it can help you transcend, they’re not lying. To me, it’s better than drugs and sex. I will cancel the hookup if it means I get the opportunity to dance.

How did you get your radio show over at Eaton?

I was selected as a 2025 Project Toward 2040 Fellowship grant awardee through an amazing nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. called Words Beats & Life. They’re dedicated to amplifying creative voices in the D.C. community, and through that fellowship and mentorship, they connected me with Eaton Radio. The funny thing is, when I was speaking to their program director Andrew, he asked me what house DJs inspire me and my first response was Frankie Knuckles. He said, “That’s it. That’s all I need to hear. What day of the week do you want?”

What was it about radio that really drew you in?

As a DJ, I really wanted the opportunity to play more music — and play music to a larger audience — in a low-stress environment. But I also wanted to incorporate the things that are important to me and the messages I feel need to be shared.

I live in Washington, D.C. It can be a very politically charged environment and corporate culture is a big deal here. That constant stress and tension is part of what made me start ‘Cue the Cure.’ But Chocolate City is also a beautiful, creative place, full of people from so many different walks of life and lifestyles, if you know where to look. The aim is to give a voice to all those beautiful people.

I wanted to bring in my wellness background and the undeniable fact that music, dancing, and movement can improve our mental health. I start my shows with affirmations, sound healing sessions, and guided meditations — and then we go on a musical journey. ‘Cue the Cure’ also lives in the real world through live events, where we do community-building healing sessions and dance parties. It’s a great way for people to drop their walls and really express themselves in a judgment-free environment.

What are some of the guiding principles of ‘Cue the Cure?’

The big guiding principles behind ‘Cue the Cure’ are music and community. My goal is always to create spaces where people feel connected, can be authentic, and where we always give back. We also honor the history and the cultural roots of dance music. Black, queer and other minority communities have shaped these spaces throughout history. Those voices deserve to be elevated and remembered, and I hope the music and principles we promote continue to honor that history.

What was the one turning point for you in your radio journey?

The turning point came when I realized the real opportunity I had with this platform. I now see how much power there is in being able to promote other DJs in my local community.  And, most importantly, to give shine to femme and minority DJs.

That was a wake-up call for me to really bet on myself, treat my DJ career like a business and take things into high gear. It took me a while to curate the kind of show I wanted to make, and I’m still changing and refining it. But the core will always be misfits, mindfulness and music. Also, when I started introducing myself at parties and people already knew who I was? That was something I’d never experienced before!

How do you get ready and prepare for your show?

I approach my show in two parts: mindfulness and music. For mindfulness, I think about the vibe in the world and what people might need energetically. If you need to be told you’re a bad bitch, then we’re doing bad bitch affirmations. Other times I’ll use crystal singing bowls or guided meditations paired with selected tracks. The music is approached like any good DJ would: with planning!

What is one radio show from your archive that defines you?

In early November 2025, I hosted a DJ contest to spotlight local DJs in my area and give them the opportunity to play on my radio show, with their sets streaming live on Eaton Radio’s Mixcloud profile. The contest also helped us grow our email list and deepen community engagement. We received 20+ submissions, and I selected a winner and a runner-up to perform live with me on the show.

I loved our episode with the winners of my DJ contest! Rolodex and Mushroom.Ninja are two great local women DJs. It was amazing having a room full of women, each embodying their own unique DJ identity, without having to be reminded of our genders. We were just great DJs vibing out and hearing each other’s musical identities.

I felt so comfortable taking a back seat and letting them shine; I didn’t even feel a desire to touch the decks. I also got to have a conversation with DJ Slugo and he told me something that really resonated with me. He said: “I want people around me who hunt. Some folks just want to get fed. But if you’re in a pack of people who hunt, we all eat what we kill.”

I just want everyone to get fed, because there’s more than enough to go around — despite what they want us to believe. One of the best outcomes was that the submissions and outreach helped me jumpstart an ongoing local DJ community — connecting new talent, creating collaboration opportunities and building a roster for future guest spots.

See more

What are some of your proudest achievements in your radio career so far?

Honestly? That contest, 100%.

What have been the most satisfying parts of building the community around you?

It’s definitely been creating — and being part of — really cool and authentic spaces. I’ll be real, I’ve had my share of music industry drama from time to time, but overall D.C. is a kind, collective community. I’m proud to be friends with creative individuals who look out for each other by passing along gigs, hiring colleagues for productions, sharing grant opportunities and calling each other out on our BS. My hope is that we keep spreading this community-first philosophy so that the nightlife and DJ community can survive and thrive.

“The way music touches parts of my soul in ways that nothing else can is an unexplainable sensation.”

What are your top tips for presenting and putting together a radio show?

Be authentic. It’s easy to fall into the trap of recreating what’s popular because we want to be successful. But your audience will find you. If you’re being your authentic self, even if your self is cringe, be cringe! You are a unique voice in this world and that voice deserves to be heard.

What do you think the future holds for radio?

It’s not my place to tell the future [laughs]. We used to think we’d all be driving flying cars by 2020! All that to say, time marches forward, and the only thing that’s certain is change. Embrace it, and stay up to date on what’s happening in the industry.

What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through your radio show?

Starting ‘Cue the Cure’ and becoming a DJ really helped my confidence and helped me find myself again at 38. I finally feel like I can be myself in these spaces: wear what I want to wear, talk how I want, love how I want — and most importantly, play the music I like with people I genuinely have a good time with.

Follow DJ Duchess on Mixcloud and Instagram.