Charlie Hedges

Hi Charlie, great to have you back! What’s been happening since we last spoke?

Heeey nice to chat with you guys again. Wow so much! So, I’ve been working on some new releases as you know, have been securing some exciting DJ gigs for the summer and rest of the year, and something exclusive for you too… I am launching my own Online Women’s Fashion Boutique for all things clothes, accessories, shoes, summer wear, dresses – you name it it’s on there for UK sizes 6-24. The website goes live at the end of April…

www.charliespopupboutique.com

Your last track ‘Hit It’ was a big departure from the previous release ‘Kaleidoscope’, and your new one on 8 House is also moving down the tougher, techier sound – is this the new Charlie Hedges sound we can expect from all future releases?

It’s certainly the more techy sound I’m going for with my original productions, but there’s also a remix I’ve got coming out soon for a huge band which I’m not allowed to spill the beans on just yet, but that will venture down the more commercial house sound; I’m thinking about going under a slightly different name for this one because it’s quite different to what I’m making currently.

Speaking of your new track, it features vocals from Ashton Russell – where do we recognise that name from? And how did you end up signing it to 8 House?

Ashton is amazing and is the brother of one of the Diversity Dance group members Warren. With regards to signing to 8 House, I met the Son of 8 guys in Ibiza last season when we were both playing and we clicked immediately. Since then we’ve been in touch loads trying to find a way of working together and then when they announced the start of a label and loved some of my tracks it seemed the perfect time to work with them and hopefully many more to come too.

These Feelings JPEG

How has the response been so far? Have you had much chance to play it out?

You are always going to biased with your own track of course but it’s really real when you play it out as you see the club’s reaction. I played if for the first time at one of my gigs last Saturday and it was a pleasure to see people enjoy it the way they did – considering it’s a brand new song it went down so well.

Many people in the UK will know you primarily for presenting the breakfast show on Kiss – do you ever get listeners surprised at the kind of music you play out at gigs?

Totally. Sometimes, when people hear the music I play, I think they might assume for obvious reasons that it’ll be a commercial radio track and when they realise it’s not, it’s always positive feedback that I get. It shows a different side to me and I buzz when I see people excited that I’ve not made something they originally expected.

Considering the very different audiences each aspect of your career appeals to, do you ever find there is a stigma attached to being a radio presenter in the DJ world?

I would be lying if I didn’t say that I’ve had to work hard to try and teach and tell people/promoters that I play house music, but I think that’s part of the fun and challenge of becoming a DJ. I’ve always believed that if you work hard you’ll get there in the end anyway.

Looking ahead, the Ibiza announcements are starting to come through now – are you playing on any sunny islands this summer?

Yesss, all my dates are on facebook.com/charliehedgesfriends – I’m just confirming Ibiza now but already confirmed is BH Mallorca, Miami, Marbella, and loads of UK dates including Source Maidstone and We Are FSTVL too.

Anything else we should keep an eye out for?

My boutique for sure, keep an eye out for Charlie’s Pop Up Boutique launching end of April…