The KISS FM superstar launches herself into a wonderful 2016 with a brand new tune swinging our way on Armada Deep, a huge 16 date #CharlieSays UK Tour, a brand spanking new Skiddle Weekends Matter podcast and is now entertaining millions of people above the clouds through her music on British Airways. Dan Prince checks in…
Charlie a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD. Where on Planet Earth are you today?
Ahh thanks guys, lovely to chat with you again too! I’m actually in New York for a few days before coming back to kick off my tour…
What is the finest piece of music you have heard today?
Sounds silly and it’s totally unrelated to house music, but I heard Alicia Keys ‘New York’ in a bar earlier and listening to the words, it’s very inspirational…
Well young lady, a stunning start to 2016 for you with so many great projects on the go. Let’s kick off with your all new CharlieSays UK Tour focusing on one thing – you spinning the very best in house music. Some intimate shows, some bigger arenas…”expect the unexpected” you scream! Does moving around UK on tour see you change your set in anyway depending on where you are and what are some of the old classics that are never far away from a Hedges set?
I am sooooo excited it’s unreal, I really can’t wait to kick the tour off! I feel so so lucky to have such an amazing start to the year and I’m sooo excited to be taking this party to even more venues and even more cities. In terms of my set, I’m always aware of making it a big night for everyone that’s been kind enough to come to the night and not necessarily just for me, so yep you will always get a deeper house set with me but I will certainly switch up a few songs and throw in a few surprise classics like you say. I actually have a track which I’ve been working on which is a remix of a massive old skool anthem, you guys will have to come and see if you can spot it…
2016 has also seen you sign your first track to the mighty Armada Deep…what can you tell us about that?
Yes it has and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Armada Deep family! This track is straight up deep house with an amazing vocalist on it called Sonny and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. It’s the first of hopefully many more to come in the coming months.
SO, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I have a few tracks that I’m working on at the minute, again deeper house tracks – some can cross over I think but they’re very much the same vibes and definitely something you’d hear me play in my own DJ sets. I want to make music that is a reflection of myself in a club but also something that you could hear on radio too.
You are now the face of the Skiddle ‘Weekender Matter’ podcast – how did this come about?
It helped having an amazing manager and team I won’t lie haha! Skiddle have always been incredibly supportive of me and my gigs through their editorial and interviews etc. so the relationship has been there for a while. Last year we chatted about how we could work together, they were putting together plans to revamp their podcast and it’s gone from there really! They’re really, really great guys at Skiddle and I’m excited and thrilled to be a part of the team! I think it’s going to be an exciting time ahead for us both…
Your podcast is now featured on the in-flight entertainment of every British Airways flight worldwide. Boom! Come on now be honest, have they thrown in a few free flights as part of the deal?
Haha it doesn’t come with free flights no, haha that would be brilliant though! It’s an amazing opportunity for me and I’m extremely grateful for it, I’ve been in contact with the lovely press team at BA for a few years now and to now finally be a part of the BA in-flight system is unreal; I’ve booked a flight to Las Vegas with my family in August this year and I’ll be lying if I say I won’t be playing the podcast and smiling to myself…
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
– Tom Zanetti – Darlin
Authentic, exciting, oldskool vibe
– CID – No
Brings back some great memories but with a new edge
– The Squatters & AM2PM – No Good
Love The Squatters stuff…is that enough haha
– Felon – Burglar Bill
Unpredictable, absolute tune
– Danny L Harle – Broken Flowers (Franky Rizardo Mix)
Summer Vibes, Sun, Sea, rave
How difficult is it for you to balance the DJ side of your career with the radio?
To be honest it isn’t difficult at all, DJing and music is my life – when I’m DJing and making music I’m in an amazing place, it’s very easy to juggle the things you love.
What is the naughtiest thing you have ever done whilst on air?
I haven’t done anything naughty otherwise I’d get my backside fired! But I’m always hungry and can often hear my own tummy grumbling down the mic, can’t believe I’m telling you this but nobody ever hears it – just me because I know it’s happening haha! Listen out in future…
Who have been some of your radio legends in your lifetime?
Bam Bam, Street Boy and Robin Banks for giving me some amazing advice and opportunities when I was first starting out in radio. Fearne Cotton was amazing on radio and a strong female on the airwaves too, and for me Chris Evans is just a radio god!
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your life and how did you overcome it?
Doubting myself. Being a DJ and on the radio, you might perceive me to be a big confident person but the truth of it is I was the girl at school that wouldn’t put her hand up to answer any questions because I’d always go bright red. Don’t get me wrong, around my friends and family I’ve always been ‘me’ – energetic and loud at times, but in public and even now I have to fight it sometimes and just think ‘go for it.’
Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
Wowza that’s a question and a half, love that….urrrm Chloe Moretz Grace is a lovely girl – I’ve interviewed her before and I think she’d play a great DJ…
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
When I was at Uni studying for a BA in Journalism, a week before I started Uni I was offered a job as a tea-making runner for the Kiss Breakfast Show. At the time I’d always wanted to be a DJ and get into radio but had always wanted to complete a degree so I remember meeting with my head of year at Uni and telling him I want to do both. I had to be at Kiss for 4:30am, work on the breakfast show until 9am then leave and drive straight to Uni. I’d miss two lessons every morning pretty much and then finish Uni about 6:30pm before getting home and doing the same again the next day…for 3 years. My tutor at the time thought it was a bad idea and didn’t think I could juggle both – he thought I should concentrate on just Uni but I knew I could do both, I was determined too. When I passed my first year I remember my tutor Chris coming up to me and basically saying bloomin well done, well done for not listening to me haha, he was a great tutor though and I learnt so much from him.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
Making a career out of something I told my mum and dad I wanted to do as a very young child, I feel very lucky I’ve been able to do what I always set out to.
Where are some of the big DJ dates in your diary you are looking forward to later this year?
It’s so exciting especially with the tour too, all my dates are on www.charliehedges.com but some of the big ones are Bournemouth, Plymouth, Cardiff, Swansea, Plug Sheffield (there were mosh pits at my last gig there!) and of course, back at home in Essex too.
A dream studio collab?
Steve Aoki and I’d make him take on a deep house track; when I played for his night in Pacha Ibiza last year, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike were on before him and played a really deep set, a set I’ve never seen them play before but one I know Steve enjoyed. So I’d like to get him to get involved in the same kinda thing.
And finally, CharlieSays…be honest now, when was the last time you played The Prodigy’s debut single ‘Charly’ out in a club…?
Haha you know what Dan, I’ve never played the whole tune, maybe this tour is the first time for that! However, it is used often for my podcast intros and various other drops – I love it, such a classic.
Nice one Dan thank you for your time again it’s really appreciated. I hope you, the DMC guys and your readers can get to one of my tour dates soon. Charlie x
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