April 12, 2024 |
Straight out of the Big Apple, Chloé Caillet is turning heads with her infectious, tech-house beats that are bound to get a two-step or a head bounce out of ya’. From promoting her Smiile club night to spinning tracks in the finest global venues, Caillet is taking her high-energy sound worldwide, hitting new spots in Paris and London throughout the month, with an encore at Primavera Sound in May.
Smiile, an LGBTQ+ focused party, is known to be a wild ride, blending an unfiltered spirit with groovy sounds that capture the essence of queer rave culture in one unforgettable night. It’s about celebrating diversity and a deep passion for dance music, born from her years of experience in nightlife and her identity as a queer artist and advocate. Smiile isn’t just one thing; it’s a community, spotlighting music and artists who Caillet believes in, all while breaking down barriers on and off the dance floor.
Following her debut EP Intro, which was released via CircoLoco Records last year, Caillet has been blazing through the limelight, rising faster than her fan’s heart rates when they dance the night away. She’s been racking up accolades like making it onto DJ Mag’s Artists to Watch list in 2023, BBC Radio 1’s Dance Future Stars and Mixmag’s Top Breakthrough DJ of 2022 and creating the official remixes for some of Dua Lipa’s top tracks. With plans to launch her own record label, Chloe is paving the way for marginalised voices to take centre stage and electrifying a new movement.
Ahead of her next Smiile party which will kick off tomorrow, Saturday April 13, at Village Underground in London, we sat down with the DJ to talk about her rider essentials, what inspires her and her dreams for the evolution of Smiile.
1. Hey Chloé! What’s your favourite thing about being a DJ and producer?
“The spontaneity of the job and the ability to constantly express yourself.”
2. Describe your sound in three words?
“Uplifting, limitless, groove ridden.”
3. You hail from New York – what’s your favourite thing about the city?
“The eclecticism of it.”
4. What is one track every DJ should have on their USB?
“Blind (Frankie Knuckles remix) by Hercules and Love Affair.”
5. Kamma & Masalo and Grace Sands are joining you on the lineup for your upcoming show at Village Underground – what’s your favourite thing about sharing the decks with other artists?
“To get to know them better through their music. You can tell a lot about an artist in the way they play and their track selection. It’s like an unspoken conversation.”
6. What’s on your rider?
“Always tequila, lots of coconut water, energy bars and of course ginger shots.”
7. Who is one artist that has always inspired you?
“DJ Harvey.”
8. You’ve also recently announced that your LGBTQ+ club night Smiile is going on tour! Why did you start Smiile?
“Smiile was started with the idea of creating my ideal touring club night. Combining incredible music, great sound and vibe on the dancefloor all within an inclusive, diverse and safe space.”
9. If you could take Smiile to any city in the world, where would it be?
“Sao Paolo.”
10. What are you most excited about in the upcoming year?
“To keep building Smiile and the releases on Smiile records as well as all the traveling, discovery of new cities and to keep building my community globally.”
Photography courtesy of Chloé Caillet. Purchase you tickets for tomorrow’s Smiile at Village Underground here.
