The Guide To Tripping With Suzanne Santo

Nov 21

Nov 21 The Guide To Tripping With Suzanne Santo

Suzanne Santo made a name for herself as one half of acclaimed duo honeyhoney. Alongside her song-writing partner, Ben Jaffe, she’s supported the likes of Sheryl Crow, Jake Bugg and Hozier, whilst also working alongside musical greats, Gary Clark Jr and John Spiker. Between the break-up of honeyhoney and the band’s eventual reformation, Santo focused on her burgeoning solo career, releasing critically acclaimed album ‘Ruby Red’ in 2017. As Suzanne prepares for the upcoming release of a new full-length, we caught up with her, via the internet, to talk about her other love. Psychedelics.

That’s right, strap in fellow psychonauts, we’re about to take you on a trippy journey into the world and mind of Suzanne Santo.

So, Suzanne… Could you tell us about your first psychedelic experience?

Well, my first psychedelic experience was with ‘molly’ (MDMA) but that doesn’t compare to mushrooms or DMT, actually I don’t know [laughs]. The first time I took ‘molly’ I was in Japan and was 16, I was a model in my teens and pretty lucky that nothing weird ever happened to me. I was in Tokyo, I was a virgin, and I’d met this 22-year-old boxer from New Zealand, and we were at his flat, and he was hot [laughs]. We watched ‘The Matrix’, ate popsicles and made out a little. One thing, I’m so lucky he was such a nice person and didn’t try to take advantage of me. Secondly, I had no idea about the ramifications of ecstasy the next day. I was depressed, couldn’t sleep, I thought ‘my parents will be so disappointed in me’ [laughs].

I didn’t take mushrooms until I was a little older, maybe 22. I was with a trusted friend of course, but they are my favourite [laughs]. I’ve definitely had the whole fun, party element of it when you’re out and tripping with friends, but I almost definitely prefer to have a spiritual journey and go really deep. I constantly have this thing where it always comes back around to my ancestors, I always feel like my Grandpa Joe is with me, and my grandmothers. It’s really weird and interesting, I can’t say I speak to them verbatim like we’re talking, but I’ve had these meaningful moments of feeling them all around me, peace and connecting with the earth, nature.

Describe to us your worst trip?

I think I told this story the last time I was on the Joe Rogan Experience; I was in South Carolina, quarantined with my parents. It was right in the middle of a tour that got cancelled, so I drove down from New York City to stay with them. [laughs] I thought it’d be a good idea to take acid with my friend, and my parents weren’t home. I was like let’s do the whole tab, but my friend was like ‘dude, no’. It was my first time taking a tab; I’ve only ever done it through a tincture or microdosing before. I was tripping my dick off, but we split one and then fifteen minutes later my mom was walking through the door. I was so naïve about acid, I didn’t think it was going to be a long trip, it was really intense. My parents are really cool, I’ve smoked weed with them, I’ve been on mushrooms around them but my mom was like so mad at me, and so terrified of me. I tried to check on my mom, and she was curled up on a ball on her bed shouting ‘I don’t wanna talk to you Suzanne, I’m really mad at you.’ I ended up navigating my way out of that bad place and my mom was fine later on when my dad came home; she didn’t tell him either which was cool, but when I did his response was great, he just went ‘oh ok’ [laughs]. Me and my friend, Jose, were sitting on the back patio, watching alligators in the lagoon and then all of a sudden a golf ball flew over the house and into the pond. I turned back around and I see my Dad laughing, just trying to fuck with us [laughs]. We all had dinner and laughed afterwards, it was great.

What are your key ingredients for a successful trip?

Beautiful nature, I also like to be totally clean sober for a few days beforehand; it usually enhances the experience for me. I always like to make a plan for it. I also think being in good company is important; I can trip on my own fine, I’d just rather have that camaraderie. Having access to music of all kinds is great if you want to go there [laughs]. I also think being in a good place mentally is important.

But you know what, Tom? Two months ago, I was in Idyllwild, California. It’s a huge mountain range. Me and my trusted friend were both going through some deep emotional stuff at the time, so we went up there and kind of created our own ayahuasca cocktail [laughs]. It wasn’t ayahuasca; it was sassafras, mushrooms and the occasional DMT. It was the deepest I have ever gone, I was like vomiting into a bucket but the whole intention of going there was to release these things that I didn’t want. It was incredibly beautiful, spiritual and empowering. I was really talking to god. I think it’s maybe not so much about being in a good place, but what your intention is, going in.

What would be your advice for anyone about to try psychedelics for the first time?

I would be with a trusted friend, and most definitely get your substances from a trusted source [laughs]. I think you should have a guide; someone who can help you and be there for you, because everyone reacts differently to this stuff. So having that, and a safe place is paramount. Don’t be an idiot [laughs].

Lastly, you’ve been given three tabs of acid by the gods of psychedelia; who, dead or alive, are you sharing them with and why?

Tom Petty, because I always wanted to meet him, I just love his music. I feel like he would have the best stories of all time. Harry Houdini, because I want to know all of his secrets but I also think he was like a secret agent [laughs]. What a pioneer for such an incredible craft, I bet he was just hilarious. I need to pick a lady [laughs]. Hold on... Mary Magdalene. She was kind of like the first ever MeToo. I feel like she has some stories and she’s not what we thought she was, so I’d love to, in my pretend world, eat mushrooms with Mary Magdalene [laughs]. I think it would be a fucking amazing evening; how do we make that happen? [laughs].