When Loverboy first spoke with DJ & all-round creative Chloé Caillet, it was Autumn 2022 and she was paying homage to her hometown of New York City with the track, ‘NYWTF.’ Jump forward eighteen months and Chloé has since started her own party, SMIILE, extended it into a record label and is currently hosting SMIILE events around the world.
With SMIILE, Chloé has created international LGBTQ+ communal spaces celebrating diversity and the unity of music. Tonight Chloé is bringing the SMIILE vibe to Badaboum in Paris, with a London date in April before landing in Barcelona in May for a SMIILE party at Nitsa and then DJing at Brunch Electronik’s takeover at Primavera Sound 2024.
Hey Chloé, when we spoke in 2022, you were in Acapulco, with an ocean view and total silence. Where are you today, and what are you listening to?
I’m currently in Miami. That was a really lovely moment in Acapulco. Right now, I’m actually getting prepared for Miami Music Week. I’m not listening to music at the moment.
The last time we spoke, it was about your track ‘NYWTF’ and your love affair with New York. But since then things have expanded with SMIILE going international. Can you tell us about this transition from NY to looking further afield?
New York has always been my home and my base ground for creativity. But as I’ve grown and delved deeper into my artistic self, it’s been really important for me to take my values and what I do globally. Hence, leaving New York and shaking things up a bit.
When did you first think about launching SMIILE?
I’ve always wanted to throw my own party. I’ve always had my own concept with my collective, PvblicXcess. The idea was to bring something true to who I was. And SMIILE was a party I wanted to launch as a community to bring people together, to feel free, to be inclusive, and to be who you want to be.
Do you have plans to expand it into other mediums too?
We’ve launched the label, SMIILE Records. So that’s definitely going to be a really interesting project to keep growing and to start releasing other people’s music as well as more of my own. I would absolutely love to incorporate a charitable aspect into helping music education around the world and also potentially working with festivals to curate stages. The possibilities are endless, and I want to grow this into something that has no limits.
When we spoke before, you said, ‘I barely used to own up to my queerness.’ Tell us how much that feeling had to do with launching SMIILE and the importance of the message behind it.
I mean, I never used to own up to my queerness. I didn’t know where to go and feel fully accepted for who I was for a long time. I definitely think over the past few years, I’ve met some amazing people in the industry who have really given me the confidence to truly be who I want to be all the time. And to not have to prove anything to anyone, and to be authentic. I think SMIILE was a combination of all of this: a platform to launch exactly who I want to be in it, but also to bring up other people who seek the same values and want the same things from life. I want us to grow together in the world.
Can you tell us a bit about the artists joining you on these first dates?
I’ve had some amazing artists join me on the first dates. The London date was so special. We had Cormac, who is an incredible DJ and person and Faff who are an amazing duo from the UK. Isabella has joined us for a few dates now. She’s a good friend of mine and such a talented DJ and music digger. We’ve had Regularfantasy, who is a very special artist and amazing producer from Canada. Dangerous Rose, who is a very good friend of mine too and a great up-and-coming artist.
Similarly, in New York, we had Makadsi, who is an awesome artist with such a specific touch. Kia, who are a duo from New York that do amazing work. I couldn’t be prouder of the artists I’ve had so far and all of the artists that are going to be part of the upcoming dates. They are all truly unique and bring something so special to each party.
The event actually launched here in Barcelona. Tell us about your Barcelona…
Barcelona is a city very close to my heart. I discovered Spain during the pandemic and spent a lot of time there, particularly in Ibiza and Barcelona. I truly love the sense of community in Barcelona. Some amazing artists and creatives are based there. I feel very aligned with the people’s lifestyle. I think Barcelona is the best because you have a great art and entertainment culture as well as an incredible city with lots of nature to explore. There are so many things to do there. The music scene from there is really special.
I thought it was a great place to launch SMIILE, especially in such an iconic venue, Apolo, with the legendary Nitsa every Friday, so I couldn’t have been more excited to launch it with a better partner.
What else does 2024 have in store for you in terms of releasing music?
I have a lot of exciting things coming up, including some remixes of some very special artists that I can’t name today, but you will see. I can’t wait to share those with you. I also have some other releases on SMIILE, including some other fun collaborations with some artists that we work with on SMIILE. Also, potentially an EP dropping in the fall. This year is definitely about releasing music for me.
We are named after the biggest selling single of 2001 and always ask what your favourite Mariah Carey song is? Last time you said Always Be My Baby and I wondered if I could get your take on the David Morales remixes from a 90s House perspective…
I mean its an absolute classic. David Morales is the king of club mixes. He made so many of the Best Deep cuts, I dont think there is a better person to re-work some of the Miriah Carey records. I might even play this track today in my set.
Catch Chloé’s SMIILE party at the following dates:
29th March – SMIILE @ Badaboum, Paris
13th April – SMIILE @ Village Underground, London
10th May – SMIILE @ Nitsa, Barcelona
