'Ur Story,' is a series where voices from the queer community take center stage. In our first feature, we're excited to introduce Cachet—a trailblazing DJ, artist, and unabashed creator whose life is a testament to the power of authentic self-expression. From impromptu DJ sets to influential cultural contributions, discover how Cachet crafts spaces where freedom and identity dance in harmony.
I’m the whole spectrum. That’s what’s fun about being a creative. We’re free to create ourselves how we want, whenever we want.
1. Introduce yourself (name, pronouns, anything else you want our community to know about you)
Hi my name is Cachet. I am a creator, musician, artist, DJ, Disruptor, so naturally, QUEER. I feel seen when I get referred by they/them pronouns, but I answer to everything cuz they’re not wrong. I’m the whole spectrum. That’s what’s fun about being a creative. We’re free to create ourselves how we want, whenever we want. To me that’s freedom, and this world fears freedom the most. So it’s even more important to show up as I am.
2. How did you first discover your passion for DJing, and what drove you to turn that passion into a profession?
How did I first discover DJing, well, I needed credits for college and there was a DJ course so I decided to take it. Didn’t learn anything cuz I was young and f****d off but my friend Kirby was DJing at the time, before DJing caught on, they invited me to play at a spot with them. Shortly after word got around and I got offered a weekly residency in a popular queer bar in Chicago before I properly knew how to DJ. I quit my 9-5 and bought turntables and a mixer off this guy on the west side of Chicago. It was one of those why not moments and I went for it. I was lucky because I got to hone my skills in front of the gay community who cared more about music selection than mixing; and I kept down that path until it led me to the underground scene in Chicago. I was already throwing my own parties under The Infusion Project and started to meet the community. I would get all my guy friends together and roll deep into parties like 3 Degrees and Boom Boom Room every chance I got and started getting in for free because I would make friends with all the door guys. That’s when the community started to notice me and one by one I started getting booked at these parties. Fast forward 12 years later with a lot more knowledge and experience, I’m now in LA and still working on my craft.
It's something that comes through you because it's bigger than you and it's not just for you and your accolades it's for the people you're giving it to.
Well I didn’t grow up in Chicago proper, my childhood was spent growing up in a suburb right outside of Chicago and then I moved into the city when I was 20. But most of my time was spent in the city even up until then, so a lot of my memories as a teen going into my 20s were Chicago. It’s hard to narrow down just one memorable moment, it’s an accumulation of things. When I think of my city, it’s late night drives down Lake Shore Drive or early mornings after the club let out--we’d go jump in the lake and chill on the beach 'til we needed sleep or maybe not. Sometimes we’d just jump right into the next day and start all over. But those were my learning years. I’ve learned a lot from Chicago. It’s a lot of tough love that shapes you into a good human and if you’re lucky and you’re paying attention, it can be the best teacher for your life and your aspirations. You know, I got all of that partying out of my system pretty early on and started focusing on my craft. Chicago don’t play. You gotta have tight transitions, you gotta know your history, you gotta be a part of the community and know your community, know where it came from to truly understand the music that comes from Chicago. It’s not just the music it’s visual artists, Graf artists, footwork, the dance community. It’s all intertwined because it’s a shared feeling you get from growing up in Chicago. Everyone always says House is a feeling, but I don’t think a lot of people really know what that means when they say it. It comes from struggle and hope and if you don’t resonate with that it’ll be hard to really get deep into what this music is for, you know, it’s much more than a sick beat. It’s something that comes through you because it’s bigger than you and it’s not just for you and your accolades it’s for the people you’re giving it to. For them to connect and come together and feel it too, not dissociate from that struggle. Connect to that hope. That’s what Chicago taught me. And I’ll never forget it.
4. Throughout your DJ journey, what's one piece of advice that's really resonated with you or changed your perspective?
You know, I got a lot of advice going through my DJ journey. People want to give you their beliefs because it worked for them but to be honest I stopped taking it. It’s not for me. It just shows me who they are and how they navigate this world. And I’m like alright, I’m going to do something different. I don’t want to walk your path I want to walk mine. Just reminds me that I’m going to keep doing what feels right for me and if people feel what I feel then great, I found my people.
Be whoever you want to be and however you want to show up in this world is just fine.
5. Dream collaboration time: If you could mix beats with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to sit in a studio with a few artists. I think Honey Dijon is on top of my list along with Moodymann and Mr. G. They’re like my personality split into three, it would be fun to have those mirrors in the room with me. But I’d also love to learn the craft from Louie Vega. His productions are beyond the electronic world. It’s real live musicianship. Being a pianist first, I always find ways to incorporate that into my productions. In my immediate future I want to sit down or remix or collaborate on something with Reggie Dokes and Byron the Aquarius. I just vibe with their style and feel like something great would come of it. I’m from Chicago but my heart is in Detroit. Always felt that when I’d visit.
6. If you had the chance to share some wisdom with your younger self, what would you say?
Well first I’d say you’re queer and that’s ok. You’re also not going to find yourself in anything that’s already defined for you, so have fun with it. Be whoever you want to be and however you want to show up in this world is just fine. You know, feel it out, that’s how you move through life. And don’t be hung up on anyone else. This life is for you, live it how you want.
7. What’s on the horizon for Cachet? Any upcoming gigs or projects we should be on the lookout for?
I’m always creating. I've learned not to speak prematurely about my visions cuz I let the world in and deter me or distract me or lead me astray before I can even trust it’s impact. But right now I have a residency at Funke in LA every Saturday night from 7-11. It’s a special spot. I'm working on my label Sashay Records out of Chicago. It’s an extension of Chicago’s culture, you know house culture, hip hop, vogue, footwork, the queer community, everything Chicago. It’s my focus right now so I'm not touring. I'm putting all that energy behind my label and being in the studio so just keep an eye on that if you want to follow that journey @sashayrecords or myself @cachetsashay.