End of year round up: Charlie Hedges

Charlie Hedges is a woman of many talents. Not only does she rule the airwaves for the Kiss FM breakfast show, she's constantly touring and showcasing the best house music to crowds around the country.

As a respected selector and a DJ who constantly has her finger on the pulse, we asked her a few questions on her 2015 to find out what music she rated this year and what experiences stood out. 

What's been the stand out gig or club night you've been to this year?

It sounds cheesy but it’s so hard to choose just one stand out gig from 2015. Everyone who came to my gigs this year made them incredible and I really appreciate it because it's those people who have made this whole year a stand-out one.  

I’ll choose a club for this answer though as I get to mention a festival in the next one. So I’ll say either Pryzm Cardiff as the club and crowd was just insane, and also Plug Sheffield where I witnessed for the first time ever a house moshpit of shufflers which took up the whole club, it was like playing at a festival.

What about your best festival memory?

It has to be playing at the Isle of Wight Festival in the Big Top Tent, crazy atmosphere, amazing tent and I played just before Paul Oakenfold who was headlining. I’ll never forget that night, it was a definite highlight of this year.

What were your favourite albums of 2015?

There’s been so much amazing music this year but I’d have to say my favourite albums have been...

Disclosure’s 'Caracal'. These guys came back so strong after their first album, and there's some amazing collabs on there.

David Guetta’s 'Listen Again' - because whilst Guetta is notorious for his EDM, on this album he experiments with some deeper house which I love, so full marks to him for that. 

Faithless '2.0'  has to be in my list too, absolute legends bringing back some interesting remixes. Insomnia got a remix from Avicii.

Sigma’s 'Life' is great and again there’s some amazing collabs on there too.

What five tracks released this year have you had on repeat the most?

Oh that’s a tough one too but probably has to be...

David Zowie 'House Every Weekend'

Format B 'Chunky'

Valentino Kahn 'Deep Down Low'

Sam Smith and Disclosure 'Omen'

Duke Dumont 'Ocean Drive'

What piece of music news struck you most this year whether good or bad?

Deadmau5. His ears and and his law suit with Mickey Mouse did make me chuckle, I won’t lie.

What's been your biggest musical let down of 2015?

I don’t really have a musical let down for this year with regards to house music beacause it's been such an interesting year for the genre with it dominating the charts and clubs.

I interviewed David Guetta last week and he said that the DJs and producers he knows are in a weird position at the minute because house music has taken on so many forms and sounds this year, and nobody knows where it is going to go next year.

Who has been your musical hero in 2015 and why?

I think it would have to be Oliver Heldens. He’s brought a new wave of fresh-sounding house to the table this year and he’s been recognised for it in the top 100 DJ Mag awards which is great work from him. I knew he would be one to watch at the start of this year and he’s now influencing DJs and producers all over the world.

What musical moment or release are you most looking forward to in 2016?

Am I allowed to be cheeky and mention a few things that I’ve got in the pipeline that I’m super super excited about? I may have to talk in code because some things haven’t been officially announced yet but I’ve just had a brand new photoshoot done which is for something massive that I’m announcing soon and will kick off at the start of next year.

I'm also working on some of my own productions which will be released next year, and of course I am going to be presenting Skiddle’s amazing Weekends Matter Podcast as of January which I cannot wait for. 

I just want to say thank you so much for everyone’s support this year, it really is appreciated and I can’t wait to see you all at my gigs next year.

Read more: Five of the best: Skiddle Mixes 2015