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Key Information

Colette Marino (born May 27, 1975), known professionally as DJ Colette or simply as Colette, is an American house music DJ, singer, and songwriter. She is a resident DJ at the SmartBar in Chicago, Illinois (along with Kaskade and others). She first gained attention when she started singing over her mixes as a DJ.[1][2]

Biography

[edit]

Marino started DJing in the early 1990s. In 1997, she helped form the all-female DJ group SuperJane with DJ Heather, DJ Dayhota, and Lady D.[3]

During the preparations for her album Push, she married actor/rock musician Thomas Ian Nicholas in 2007. They have two children, a son born in 2011,[4] and a daughter, born in April 2016.[5]

In 2003, she was chosen, along with Paul Van Dyk and Felix da Housecat, to advertise Motorola's cellular phones. Her song used in this commercial would go on to win Dancestar's "Best Song Used in a Commercial" for Motorola. She also received the "Best Breakthrough DJ" award.[1][6]

Her album Hypnotized was the most downloaded dance album on Apple's iTunes Music Store in June 2005.[7][8] Her song "What Will She Do for Love" from this album was a Billboard No. 1 Dance Club Play hit single.[7] The title track, "Hypnotized", was licensed to the film The Devil Wears Prada for its soundtrack.[7]

She hosted Lancaster, California radio station KVVS's show, Maximum Rotation.[7]

She has performed internationally, including, Detroit, Michigan, Cambridge, Singapore, Calgary, Hollywood, Montreal,[9] and Omaha.[10]

She has been compared to Kylie Minogue[7] and Deborah Harry.[2] She has also been called Om Records' First Lady of House.[7]

In 2013, she released her third album, When the Music's Loud, influenced by Italo disco and electro. The record received favorable reviews from Spin, Pitchfork and Slant.[11][12] The album, which was recorded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Los Angeles featured the production of producer Tim K, who helped her develop the record with her over a three-year span.[13] The record also featured the production of Santiago & Bushido, Nick Chacona and DJ Teenwolf. A studio tour in late 2012 revealed Colette recorded the vocals for the album on a Peluso P-12 and through a vintage recording chain. Sonically, the album made frequent use of vocoders and talk boxes.[14] The album features a sample of Trax Records artist Adonis, on the second single "Hotwire".[15] The album release date was August 27, 2013.[16] The record was made entirely without live musical instruments.[3]

In December 2013, Billboard included the album When the Music's Loud as one of the top 20 Dance Music Albums of 2013.[17]

In May 2022, Colette filed for divorce from Thomas Ian Nicholas.[18]

Charting singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak position

Billboard
Dance[19]

Credit
2007 "If" 5 Colette Marino
2012 "What Will She Do for Love" (original mix) 28
"What Will She Do for Love" (Kaskade/A. Caldwell/Ken Mixes) 10

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Hypnotized (2005)
  • Push (2007)
  • When the Music's Loud (2013)
  • Retrospective (2017)[20]

Singles and EPs

[edit]
  • "Moments of Epiphany" (1995)[21]
  • "Keep On Groovin'" (1996)[22]
  • "Try Her for Love" (2000)
  • "Find Your Love" (2000)
  • "Innocent" (2001)
  • "Sexuality" (2002)
  • "Do You Want Me" (2002)
  • "Keep It Down" (2004)
  • "Our Day/Smile for Me" (2004)
  • "Didn't Mean to Turn You On" (2005)
  • "What Will She Do for Love" (2005)
  • "Feelin' Hypnotized" (2005)
  • "House of OM" (2006)[23]
  • "About Us" (2007)
  • "If" (2007)
  • "Stay" (2008)
  • "Make Me Feel" (2009)
  • "Think You Want It" (2009)
  • "UR Everything" (2010)
  • "Call On Me" (2010)
  • "On a High" (2010)
  • "Give Something" (2011)
  • "Crush" (2012)
  • "Crush 2" (2012)[24]
  • "Hotwire" (2013)[25]
  • "Physically" (2014)[26]

Mix compilations

[edit]
  • In the Sun (2000)[27]
  • Our Day (2001)[28]
  • House of OM (2006)[29]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DJ Colette

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Colette Marino (born May 27, 1975), known professionally as DJ Colette, is an American DJ, singer, and songwriter from , . A classically trained vocalist, she is renowned for pioneering the integration of her own improvised vocals into DJ sets, blending soulful pop elements with deep, pumping grooves. Active since the , Colette has released four studio albums, held a long-running residency at Chicago's Smart Bar, and emerged as a landmark figure in the global electronic music scene, performing for crowds worldwide while residing in . Raised in Chicago's vibrant house music culture, Colette graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in painting before pursuing music full-time. She began her career as a guest vocalist in the mid-1990s, improvising lyrics over instrumental house tracks using a cassette recorder, and started DJing at age 19 under the mentorship of DJ Heather and members of the women-led collective Superjane, which she co-founded in 1997 to promote female DJs in a male-dominated scene. Influenced by Chicago pioneers such as and Mark Farina, her style evolved to emphasize vocal-driven sets that evoke early house energy while incorporating pop tunefulness, earning comparisons to artists like . Colette's breakthrough came with her debut album Hypnotized (2005, Om Records), which became the most downloaded dance on iTunes in the United States and included tracks like "What Will She Do for Love" and "Feelin' Hypnotized." Follow-up releases such as Push (2007), featuring the Billboard-charting single "If," When the Music's Loud (2013, Candy Talk), and (2017) showcased her growth as a producer and songwriter, spanning to electro influences. She has maintained a monthly residency at Smart Bar since the early , attended over 20 Winter Music Conferences in , and, as of 2025, continues to tour internationally, balancing her career with family life as a mother of two.

Early life

Childhood and family

Colette Joy Marino, known professionally as DJ Colette, was born on May 27, 1975, in , . She spent her childhood in the Wicker Park neighborhood of , where her family's home was located just five blocks from the influential Gramophone Records store. Raised in the heart of the city during the burgeoning era, Colette was immersed in the genre from a young age, first encountering it at around 10 years old. By 13, she witnessed her initial DJ performance in her school lunchroom, an experience that sparked her interest in the local underground scene. Attending Pritzker Elementary School in Wicker Park, Colette met her first DJ during , further fueling her passion for music. As a teenager, she began frequenting all-ages clubs, basement parties, and loft events in the neighborhood, absorbing influences from Chicago pioneers like . At 16, she started purchasing vinyl records and attending DJ sets, while experimenting with vocals by singing over tracks using a cassette player and tape recorder at home. She began studying classical voice at age 9, honing her skills during this period alongside her growing enthusiasm for electronic music. In her personal life, Colette married actor Thomas Ian Nicholas in 2007, with whom she shares two children: son Nolan, born in 2011, and daughter Zoë, born in 2016. The couple separated, and Colette filed for divorce in 2022, seeking joint custody of their children.

Education and early interests

Colette Marino, known professionally as DJ Colette, grew up in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, where she first encountered DJ culture during her elementary school years. At around age 13, while in eighth grade at Pritzker Elementary School, she met her first DJ during a school event, an experience that sparked her fascination with the emerging house music scene. This early exposure came at a time when Chicago was the epicenter of house music, and Marino's proximity to influential spots like Gramophone Records—located just five blocks from her family home—further immersed her in the genre from a young age. By age 10, Marino had already begun listening to , drawn to its rhythmic energy and cultural vibrancy. Her interests deepened in her teens; at 16, she started purchasing vinyl records and attending all-ages clubs and loft parties in Wicker Park, where she connected with underground DJs such as . Marino attended Lane Technical High School, a selective public school known for its academic and arts programs, where she continued to explore creative pursuits amid Chicago's thriving music underground. After graduating high school around 1993, she enrolled at , blending her artistic inclinations with elements. She later transferred to the University of at Chicago (UIC), earning a in between 1994 and 1998. During her college years, Marino balanced formal education with informal "graduate school" in the music industry, working at local record labels and Gramophone Records to refine her DJing and production skills. These academic and experiential foundations shaped her transition from to a professional career in .

Music career

Beginnings as vocalist and DJ

Colette Marino, professionally known as DJ Colette, immersed herself in Chicago's burgeoning scene during her teenage years, growing up just five blocks from the influential Gramaphone Records store. At age 16, she began purchasing vinyl records there, while also training in classical voice before gravitating toward 's rhythmic allure. As a teenager, she experimented with vocals by recording herself over house tracks using a cassette player, laying the groundwork for her signature style of blending live alto vocals with electronic beats. After earning a degree in painting from the University of Illinois at , Colette transitioned into the professional music world in the mid-1990s, working at local record labels and stores like Gramaphone, where she handled promotions and honed her turntable skills on vinyl at around age 19. She initially entered the scene as a guest vocalist for other DJs, performing soothing improvisations over their sets in underground clubs and loft parties, including early encounters with figures like . In 1994, she started promoting events at 's Mummy Bar, which exposed her to the logistics of nightlife and the city's vibrant Midwestern underground. Her vocal talents gained commercial traction with her debut release, the 1996 EP Moments of Epiphany on Shroom Records, produced by Mazi & DJ Motion, marking her first foray into recorded as a featured singer. By 1997, made her DJ debut beyond home practice when she co-founded Superjane, the ' first all-female DJ collective, alongside DJ Heather, Lady D, and Dayhota; the group organized events and gigs that challenged gender norms in the male-dominated circuit. This period solidified her dual role, as she began seamlessly integrating her vocals into her own mixes, influenced by '80s pop, Kraftwerk, and Chicago pioneers like . Her first , Floating By, followed in 1998, showcasing her emerging DJ prowess in the local scene.

Breakthrough in Chicago scene

Colette's breakthrough in the house music scene occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, largely through her role as a founding member of Superjane, the first all-female DJ collective in the United States. Formed in 1997 with DJ Heather, Lady D, and Dayhota, the group sought to elevate women DJs beyond novelty status and foster a supportive network within the male-dominated underground circuit. Superjane's performances and media exposure in outlets like Spin and XLR8R helped Colette build a dedicated following, positioning her as a key figure in vibrant house community, which had originated the genre in the 1980s. A pivotal moment came in 2000 with the release of her debut mix compilation, In The Sun: A Vocal & Turntable Session, on the Chicago-based Afterhours label. This project showcased her innovative blend of live vocals and over tracks, expanding her reach to wider audiences and marking her transition from underground performer to recognized talent. In 2001, Colette secured a nine-year DJ residency at Smartbar, the influential club attached to Chicago's venue, where she honed her crowd-engaging sets and became a staple of the local nightlife. This steady platform, combined with co-hosting the radio show Maximum Rotation on from 2001 to 2004, amplified her visibility. Her rising profile culminated in 2003 when she won the Breakthrough DJ award at the DanceStar USA Awards, affirming her impact on the national landscape.

Solo productions and residencies

Colette's solo productions emerged prominently in the late , marking her evolution from a vocalist and collaborator to a full-fledged producer and songwriter in the scene. Her debut commercial release, the 1996 EP Moments of Epiphany, showcased her early vocal-driven tracks and laid the foundation for her independent output on labels like Classic Music. This was followed by a series of 12-inch singles in the early 2000s, including "Try Her for Love" and "" in 2000, which highlighted her blend of soulful vocals with grooves on imprints such as Brique Rouge and Nordic Trax. In 2001, released her first mix , Our Day, on Nettwerk America, featuring an invigorating selection of tracks curated and mixed by her, including contributions from artists like Gene Farris and Angel Alanis. This project emphasized her DJing prowess while incorporating original vocal elements. Her true breakthrough as a solo artist came in 2005 with the full-length Hypnotized on OM Records, her debut artist that fused vocal with pop sensibilities; standout tracks like "Feelin' Hypnotized" became anthems in the genre, earning widespread play in clubs and features in media such as The Devil Wears Prada. The 's production, self-directed with collaborators, explored themes of love and introspection through 13 tracks, solidifying her reputation for emotive, dancefloor-ready material. Colette continued her solo trajectory with the 2007 EP About Us and album Push, both on OM Records, delving deeper into electro-infused house with singles like "If" that charted on dance airplay lists. By 2013, she launched her own label, Candy Talk Records, and released When the Music's Loud, a genre-spanning album incorporating Italo-disco and electro influences across 11 tracks, produced in collaboration with Tim Kvasnosky; it was crowdfunded and praised for its driving synths and narrative lyrics, marking a shift toward more experimental sounds without abandoning her vocal roots. Later releases included the 2015 dub-focused Candy Talk Dubs, Vol. 1 and the 2017 retrospective collection Retrospective, compiling remixed highlights from her career, while in 2020, The Pete Moss Remixes offered fresh takes on her catalog. In 2022, Colette began production on her fifth studio album, Flashback, releasing singles such as "When the World Is Running Down," "," and "Dreams" in 2024 and 2025, with the full album set for release soon as of 2025. Parallel to her productions, Colette established enduring DJ residencies that anchored her presence in Chicago's nightlife. In 2001, she began a nine-year residency at Smartbar, the downstairs club at , where she performed monthly sets blending house classics with emerging sounds, contributing to her 2003 Breakthrough DJ award at the DanceStar USA Awards. This residency, spanning 2001 to 2010, became a cornerstone of her career, fostering a loyal following and allowing her to test new material in a seminal venue often called one of the world's best clubs. Even after relocating to , Colette maintained ties to Smartbar through regular performances, including anniversary events and specials like the 2022 Superjane 25th anniversary lineup. Her consistent bookings at events such as the further extended her residency-like influence in global circuits.

Artistry and style

Musical influences

DJ Colette's musical influences are deeply rooted in the electronic and landscapes, particularly the vibrant scene of the 1990s, where she first immersed herself after growing up listening to pop. Her early exposure to the genre came through the city's underground clubs, shaping her approach to blending melodic vocals with driving rhythms. Key inspirations include pioneering electronic acts such as Kraftwerk, whose innovative synth work and futuristic soundscapes informed her production style, and , whose electro-funk elements influenced her exploration of rhythmic and vocal layering. Chicago house legends like , with tracks such as "No Way Back," directly impacted her incorporation of elements into her own music, as seen in her sampling and remixing choices. Additionally, Romanthony's soulful vocals served as a model for her singing-over-mixes technique, evoking a sense of emotional depth in dance tracks. She has also cited 1980s futurism, including the techniques of and , which captivated her as a child and later influenced her use of vocal effects. Later in her career, Colette drew from and electro for her 2013 album When the Music's Loud, aiming to fuse these retro styles with modern to create a nostalgic yet contemporary sound. This evolution reflects her broader admiration for classic pop structures combined with the energetic pulse of , allowing her to maintain a signature melodic and accessible approach across her discography.

Vocal and production techniques

DJ Colette's vocal style draws heavily from her classical training, which she pursued before entering the scene, allowing her to deliver smooth, melodic lines that blend seamlessly with electronic beats. Her approach emphasizes tunefulness inspired by pop, creating soothing, emotive performances that prioritize clarity and emotional resonance over aggressive delivery. This is evident in her early work as a guest vocalist for other DJs, where she began layering her tracks in live settings, a practice that evolved into her signature method of integrating live vocals directly into DJ sets for an immersive, personalized experience. Colette has noted that she started DJing primarily to sing over her own selections, marking a shift from passive vocalist to active performer who controls the vocal-instrumental interplay. This technique, groundbreaking in the early underground, involves real-time , where her voice acts as both a melodic hook and a element, enhancing the crowd's connection to the . In production, Colette favors a collaborative process, often partnering with producers like Tim K to craft tracks that fuse classic house thump with pop sensibilities, drawing from influences such as , , , and . Her work frequently incorporates subtle electronic effects, including vocoders and talkboxes, used not as dominant features but as undertones to add a futuristic, robotic texture reminiscent of 1980s synth-pop—elements she first encountered as a child watching her friends' parents' band. For instance, on her album Hypnotized, these effects provide atmospheric depth, modernizing sounds while maintaining a focus on vocal-forward arrangements; Colette explains, “We put them in as slight undertones in some songs, so you might not even notice that they’re there.” This restrained application ensures the production supports rather than overshadows her voice, as seen in tracks like “Hotwire,” which samples Adonis's “No Way Back” and layers bass lines for dynamic . Her mixing approach, demonstrated in sessions for songs like “We Feel So Hot,” emphasizes efficiency, utilizing plugins from suites like Plug & Mix to balance elements quickly while preserving the organic feel of live performance elements. Overall, Colette's techniques prioritize accessibility and emotional impact, bridging underground roots with broader appeal through precise, vocalist-centric production.

Discography

Studio albums

DJ Colette has released three studio albums, marking key phases in her career as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer within the genre. Her debut album, Hypnotized (2005, OM Records), fused , , and pop influences, featuring tracks like the title song "Feelin' Hypnotized," which became a floor staple and was licensed for the soundtrack of The Devil Wears Prada. The album achieved significant commercial success, becoming the most downloaded album on in the at the time. Her second album, Push (2007, OM Records), shifted toward a more upbeat house sound with 13 original tracks, including collaborations such as "Funny" featuring Black Spade and the single "If." Produced in part by Home & Garden and Chuck Love, it balanced club-oriented energy with introspective lyrics, earning praise for its versatility suitable for both headphones and dance floors. In 2013, Colette released When the Music's Loud (Candy Talk Records), her third studio effort, which incorporated and electro elements across 11 tracks. Funded through a successful Pledge campaign, the album featured writing contributions from Tim K (of House & Garden) and received positive reviews for its driving yet playful energy; standout tracks included "Best of Days" and "Hotwire," the latter sampling artist . Critics from Spin and highlighted its fresh take on .
Album TitleRelease YearLabelKey Tracks
Hypnotized2005"Feelin' Hypnotized", "What Will She Do for Love"
Push2007"If", "Funny" (feat. Black Spade), "Call It Out"
When the Music's Loud2013Candy Talk Records"Hotwire", "Best of Days", "Electricity"

Singles and EPs

DJ Colette's singles and EPs span over three decades, reflecting her evolution from vocal features in tracks to independent productions under her own Candy Talk Records label. Her early releases established her as a key vocalist in the underground scene, while mid-2000s singles on marked her commercial breakthrough with chart success and widespread remixes. More recently, she has focused on dub-oriented EPs and reimaginings of classic tracks, emphasizing and vocal-driven grooves. One of her earliest contributions was the 1996 EP Moments of Epiphany on Shroom Records, produced by Mazi and DJ Motion, which featured her vocals over energetic beats and served as her first commercial dance release. That same year, she provided vocals for DJ Sneak's single "Keep On Groovin'" on , a track blending pitched-up elements with fat basslines that became a staple in house sets. In the mid-2000s, Colette transitioned to solo productions with OM Records. The 2005 single "Didn't Mean to Turn You On" showcased her sultry delivery over tech-house rhythms, earning remixes from artists like Kaskade and Chuck Love, and appearing on her debut album Hypnotized. Later that year, "Feelin' Hypnotized" followed as the lead single from the same album, featuring Kaskade's mix and gaining exposure in a Motorola advertising campaign alongside DJs Felix da Housecat and Paul Van Dyk. By 2007, her single "If" from the album Push peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart, bolstered by remixes from Dave Audé and others that amplified its electro-house edge. In recent years, Colette has revitalized her catalog through her imprint Candy Talk Records. The 2015 EP Candy Talk Dubs, Vol. 1 includes dub reinterpretations of tracks like "Dreams" and "Physically." The 2024 EP Candy Talk Dubs, Vol. 2 includes dub reinterpretations like Deez's "Raw Life Mix" of "Falling" and Jay-J's "Shifted Up Dub" of "When the World Is Running Down," drawing from her vocal archives for a modern sound. That same year, she released Didn't Mean to Turn You On, Pt. 1 as an EP with fresh remixes, including Brian Boncher's version, followed by Pt. 2 as a single in 2025.
YearTitleFormatLabelNotable Details
1996Moments of EpiphanyEPShroom RecordsProduced by Mazi & DJ Motion; her debut commercial release.
1996Keep On Groovin' (feat. vocals by Colette)SingleDJ production; Pitch Disco Mix highlighted.
2005Didn't Mean to Turn You OnSingle/EPOM RecordsRemixes by and Chuck Love.
2005Feelin' HypnotizedSingleOM RecordsFeatured in campaign; mix.
2007IfSingleOM RecordsPeaked at No. 5 on ; Dave remix.
2015Candy Talk Dubs, Vol. 1EPCandy Talk RecordsDub reinterpretations of tracks like "Dreams" and "Physically".
2024Candy Talk Dubs, Vol. 2EPCandy Talk RecordsIncludes dubs of "Falling" and "When the World Is Running Down."
2024Didn't Mean to Turn You On, Pt. 1EPCandy Talk RecordsRemixes including Brian Boncher's.
2025Didn't Mean to Turn You On, Pt. 2SingleCandy Talk RecordsContinuation of 2005 track revival.

Mix compilations and remixes

DJ Colette has released several DJ mix compilations that highlight her vocal house style and Chicago roots, often featuring seamless blends of tracks with her own vocals integrated throughout. Her debut mix album, In the Sun: A Vocal & Turntable Session (2000, Afterhours), showcased her turntablism and vocal contributions, drawing from underground house sounds to broaden her audience. This was followed by Our Day (2001, Nettwerk America), a continuous mix emphasizing uplifting, vocal-driven tracks that coincided with her radio hosting duties. In collaboration with DJ Heather, House of OM (2006, OM Records) became a landmark release, combining their Midwestern influences into a two-disc set of soulful house selections, including remixed versions of Colette's hits like "Feelin' Hypnotized (Black Liquid Remix)." Beyond traditional DJ mixes, Colette's work includes compilations centered on remixes of her catalog, reflecting her evolution as a vocalist and . Retrospective (2017, Candy Talk Records), a double-disc collection of 20 remixed tracks spanning her career, reinterpreting earlier works with contributions from artists like , , and . Released on her own label, it underscored her enduring influence in while blending original vocal performances with contemporary production. More recently, The Pete Moss Remixes (2020, Candy Talk Records) features reinterpretations by Pete Moss of songs like "Dreams" and "Call on Me," blending elements with Colette's ethereal vocals to create extended dubs and instrumentals. These releases underscore her ongoing influence, with remixes often prioritizing atmospheric builds and vocal layering over original productions.

Legacy

Impact on house music

DJ Colette has significantly shaped the genre through her pioneering integration of live vocals into DJ sets, a technique that bridged underground club culture with more accessible pop sensibilities. Emerging from Chicago's vibrant 1990s house scene, she began as a guest vocalist before transitioning to full DJ and production roles, contributing to the evolution of vocal house by layering soulful, vocoder-infused lyrics over classic and beats. Her early releases, such as the 2000 single "Try Her For Love" on Moody Recordings, exemplified this style, helping to popularize emotive, narrative-driven tracks that contrasted with the era's more instrumental focus. This approach influenced subsequent vocal house artists by emphasizing and , as seen in her career-defining 2005 track "Hypnotized" on OM Records, which became a staple in global club sets. A cornerstone of Colette's impact lies in her co-founding of Superjane in 1997, a pioneering all-female DJ in the United States, alongside DJ Heather, Lady D, and Dayhota. At a time when women were underrepresented in —often facing skepticism or novelty bookings—Superjane's residencies at Chicago's Smart Bar and national tours challenged norms, demonstrating technical prowess and curatorial vision in male-dominated spaces. The 's events, which featured exclusively female lineups, inspired a new generation of women to enter DJing, with Colette noting that many attendees later pursued careers in the field after witnessing their performances. This advocacy elevated female visibility in , fostering greater diversity and influencing the genre's cultural inclusivity into the 2000s and beyond. Colette's nine-year residency at Smart Bar (2001–2010) further solidified her influence on , where she transported crates of vinyl to maintain deep ties to the city's roots while experimenting with fusions like those on her 2013 album When the Music’s Loud on Candy Talk Records. By blending '80s futurism—inspired by artists like Kraftwerk and —with contemporary , she helped sustain the genre's innovative spirit amid its global commercialization. Her work has been credited with maintaining 's emotional core, as evidenced by inclusions in Billboard's list of the 50 best songs, underscoring her role in preserving and advancing vocal-driven subgenres.

Recognition and recent activities

Colette has received several notable recognitions throughout her career in the house music scene. In 2003, she won the "Breakthrough DJ" award at the DanceStar USA Awards, marking her rising prominence as a performer. The following year, in 2004, she earned the "Best Song In A Commercial" award at the US Dancestar Awards for her contribution to Motorola's global marketing campaign, which featured collaborations with and . In 2016, recognized her as one of "The 20 Best DJs in L.A. Right Now," highlighting her influence as a resident in the city's electronic music community. In recent years, Colette has continued to build on her legacy through consistent releases and live performances. She released her fourth studio album, , in 2017, which reflected on her career trajectory with a mix of original tracks and remixes. By 2022, she began production on her fifth studio album, signaling a return to full-length projects after a period focused on singles. In 2023, Colette celebrated the 10-year anniversary of her 2013 album When the Music's Loud with special events and retrospectives, including a live set at Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain festival in . That same year, she issued new music via her Candy Talk label, maintaining her output amid global touring. Colette's activities in 2024 and 2025 have emphasized fresh material and international gigs. She dropped several singles and EPs on labels including Candy Talk, Sublevel, and No Fuss Records, with themes blending vocal house and electro influences, including the single "Didn't Mean To Turn You On, Pt. 2" in March 2025. Her forthcoming album Flashback continues in production. Live, she has maintained an active schedule, performing at venues like Smartbar in in May 2025 alongside DJ Heather and others, and headlining events such as Compact in Monterey on September 12, 2025. Her 2025 tour includes dates in at Quartyard on November 8, Long Beach on September 1, and 's North Avenue Beach on September 4, underscoring her enduring draw in both U.S. coastal and Midwestern scenes.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/3363-Colette
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1384494/
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/colette-mn0000109089
  4. https://www.popmatters.com/colette-push-2496203993.html
  5. https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/djcolette
  6. https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/the-kids-are-all-right-dj-colette/
  7. https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/december-2007/you-should-know-dj-colette/
  8. https://www.vice.com/en/article/twenty-something-years-later-dj-colette-and-dj-heather-are-still-the-leading-ladies-of-house/
  9. https://www.om-records.com/colette
  10. https://djcolette.bandcamp.com/album/when-the-musics-loud
  11. https://www.bandsintown.com/a/5085-colette
  12. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1384494/bio/
  13. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/colette/1289942759
  14. https://people.com/movies/american-pie-actor-thomas-ian-nicholas-wife-colette-marino-files-for-divorce/
  15. https://chicagoreader.com/music/on-top-of-the-house/
  16. https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-marino-7457958
  17. https://www.djcolette.com/
  18. https://chicagoreader.com/music/chicago-superjane-women-dance/
  19. https://ra.co/dj/djcolette/biography
  20. https://5mag.net/features/superjane-at-20/
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/292407-DJ-Colette-In-The-Sun-A-Vocal-Turntable-Session
  22. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2003-dancestar-usa-award-winners-71908/
  23. https://colette.bandcamp.com/album/hypnotized
  24. https://music.apple.com/us/album/hypnotized/64638413
  25. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/colette-switches-sound-on-when-the-musics-loud-album-5672672/
  26. https://5mag.net/features/colette-when-the-musics-loud/
  27. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/colette/17216309
  28. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/EQ-Magazine/EQ-2005-08.pdf
  29. https://nathaliebdesigns.com/collections/dj-colette
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVG_kRSNmXE
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  32. http://gapersblock.com/transmission/2007/09/06/album_review_pu/
  33. https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/colette-when-the-musics-loud/
  34. https://www.spin.com/2013/08/colette-when-the-musics-loud-album-stream/
  35. https://www.traxsource.com/artist/613/colette
  36. https://www.discogs.com/release/8355-DJ-Sneak-Keep-On-Groovin
  37. https://www.discogs.com/release/587278-Colette-Didnt-Mean-To-Turn-You-On
  38. https://colette.bandcamp.com/album/didnt-mean-to-turn-you-on
  39. https://colette.bandcamp.com/album/feelin-hypnotized
  40. https://www.discogs.com/master/408069-Colette-Feelin-Hypnotized
  41. https://music.apple.com/au/album/candy-talk-dubs-vol-2-ep/1774162655
  42. https://www.traxsource.com/label/5485/candy-talk-records
  43. https://music.apple.com/hk/album/didnt-mean-to-turn-you-on-pt-1-ep/1778138105
  44. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kvvZpHkDunKzqQKufMVI1
  45. https://www.discogs.com/master/13256-DJ-Sneak-Keep-On-Groovin
  46. https://open.spotify.com/album/0YqA9zZ6zZ6zZ6zZ6zZ6z
  47. https://www.discogs.com/release/168269-DJ-Colette-Our-Day
  48. https://www.discogs.com/master/690177-Colette-DJ-Heather-House-Of-OM
  49. https://5mag.net/news/colette-retrospect/
  50. https://djcolette.storenvy.com/products/20289206-retrospective-double-cd-edition
  51. https://mixmag.net/feature/20-women-who-shaped-the-history-of-dance-music/61
  52. https://www.laweekly.com/chicago-house-star-dj-colette-says-djing-is-not-gender-specific/
  53. https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-house-music-songs-all-time/
  54. https://www.laweekly.com/dj-colette-brings-butterflies-and-candy-to-the-house/
  55. https://quartyardsd.com/event/dj-colette-dj-dazy/
  56. https://www.traxsource.com/title/2184116/when-the-world-is-running-down-the-jay-j-remixes
  57. https://www.facebook.com/DJColette/posts/smartbar-chicago-tonight-dj-heather-colette-lady-d-dayhota-and-ilana/1229429995220776/
  58. https://www.oldmonterey.org/event/2025/09/dj-colette-compact-disco
  59. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dj-colette-dj-dazy-tickets-1849171815679
  60. https://www.instagram.com/p/DN8ppDRidI3/
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