DJ Chloé Caillet's Surprise Spotify track IDs Party at Plaza

“Chloé is an incredible talent and one of her strengths is building community globally through dance music,”Lisa Ritchey, Lead of Pop, Dance and Indie Music Artists Partnerships at Spotify tells PAPER.

“With track IDs, we strive to bring underground DJs from around the world to the platform in an effective way while celebrating the spaces they occupy within the genre. We wanted to ensure the night acted as an extension of that and honored the authenticity Chloé, Plaza and fans bring to the table. It was important for us to pay homage to the queens bringing down the house at LA's iconic venue Plaza instead of taking over the space, so we made them an integral part of it. This edition of track IDs presents was one for the books and we're so thrilled to incorporate Plaza's identity in a meaningful way.”

Below, we catch up with Caillet to talk about music discovery, connecting with fans, her track IDs playlist and what inspired her to put together “SMIILE.”

What was the driving force behind “SMIILE”? Why was it important for you to make that club and community happen?

“SMIILE” was created to offer an inclusive, safe space where people can freely express themselves and enjoy discovering new artists on great sound systems. As a queer artist, I wanted to address the lack of community-oriented environments and safe spaces at places I often go to. My goal with “SMIILE” is to provide a space where everyone can be themselves and have an amazing time listening to great artists.

How was your track IDs performance? What was the energy in the room like for you and your fans?

⁠Honestly, it was just truly unmatched. It was great to see people come through the doors with such amazing looks, bringing a great energy that created a really special moment. It was so nice to see everyone come together in such an iconic venue like La Plaza. I feel like I have the best community; everyone was giving their most, and people really looked like they were having a great time. The energy was so unique and special.

Tell us about your Spotify track IDs playlist. How did you pick the tracks? What do you think they say about you as an artist?

⁠I’m so excited to have my own Spotify track IDs playlist. I constantly spend my time finding music, and I'm so happy to finally have a place to put it all together for others to see. I think it's super important to share music. I spent a while picking the tracks, from some that I have been playing over the last months to my favorite records over the last years. I also included my own records, as well as artists that I really want to support, along with artists who have played at Smile. The playlist brings different vibes and energies that I think work really well on the dancefloor. ⁠My track IDs vary from different inspirational artists and places, as well as different cultures. I channel a lot of that into the music I make and play.

Let’s talk about the legacy of Plaza in West Hollywood — how did you work with Spotify to incorporate the venue’s history and celebration of queer culture?

Plaza is a cornerstone of the LA queer community and nightlife culture, and many of my friends have had amazing experiences there. For this event with Spotify, choosing a community-based venue was crucial. Spotify was incredibly supportive. Shout out to Lisa, who helped my vision become a reality.

How important is music discovery for you as an artist? How do you find new andfresh tracks?

⁠Discovery is everything to me. I spend my days exploring new and old artists as well as labels. I find that the Spotify algorithm is really tailored to what I like and checking those weekly new releases... I also receive many demos from artists and love to play and support those I connect with.

What are your favorite recent memories from one of your club nights?

One of my favorite memories was during my event at Pikes with Smile. At the very end, OctoOcta was playing the most incredible set to close out the iconic Freddy's Club. Suddenly, I was on the dance floor with every single DJ that I had booked for the event, as well as some of my best friends and my girlfriend. It was an amazing moment of celebration with another DJ and other DJs. It's rare to see a lot of DJs on the dance floor, as they usually leave after the event. That was definitely a special one, and I'll never forget it.

You’ve got a pretty packed schedule coming up for the summer. What can fans expect from your live sets this tour?

I'm trying to bring the best energy to where I'm playing, and I'm constantly trying to bring positivity with a fun track selection. I hope you all feel it out there this summer.

This article is a sponsored collaboration between Spotify and PAPER.

Photography: Nesrin Danan for Spotify