Feature Interview – DJ Kelly – High On Heels –
Zone Magazine High On Heels feature Interview DJ Kelly
High On Heels is an award-winning, innovative entertainment act that is not only breathtakingly talented but guaranteed to take your party and event entertainment to the next level.
Bringing together some of London’s best female DJ.s and combining their talent with the most talented collective of singers and music artists there are, High On Heels will create first-class and the most mesmerising live band performance you can imagine.
Created with an all-female lineup of singers, musicians and DJ’s, our collective has an abundance of mind-blowing musical talent like no other showcase band around. The DJ fuses our own versions of many well-known dance floor classics, as well as current hits, with our immersive live performances from our percussionist, stunning vocalists, electric violinist, guitarist and energetic swinging horn section with sax, trumpet and Trombone.
As London’s best live entertainment act, with diverse and beautiful voices, along with our musical talents, we are passionate about making music and making nights to remember. From performing live at a host of iconic clubs around the world and some of London’s most exclusive venues to performing at many unforgettable corporate show events, brand launch experiences and curating the very best in private party event entertainment for exclusive parties and weddings alike.
High on Heels will take you on an original, exceptional sound experience.
Whether you are looking to hire DJ’s for events, singers for parties, corporate events entertainers or live bands for hire, a High on Heels performance is the perfect way to set the mood, start the party and get all of your guests on the dance floor.
Some credits to date include Royal Ascot, The British Grand Prix, Goodwood and Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, Pacha, India Fashion Week, Café Del Mar, Chelsea FC Player of the Year Awards, 100 Wardour St, Monaco F1, Elle Style Awards, Nikki Beach (Thailand, Mexico, St Tropez, Marbella) Dragon-i, Cavalli Club, Four Seasons Hotels, Hed Kandi, Red Bull, W Hotel Doha, Asia Asia Dubai, Bushido and the Five Dubai.
How long have you been a DJ?
Im going to say professionally from 2002 but i had been DJ’ing and bars and parties a long time before.
When did you start DJ’ing – and what or who were your early influences?
I started collecting records from 94/95 back then you could only find house music especially imports on records. I had many influences my parents were a big influence as my dad had a studio and used to be a play bass guitar in a band. My mum would always been playing music and she play alternative music that wasn’t main stream and i was always inspired by what she was playing..
Musically i had so many growing up Soul II Soul , Roy Ayres Chic etc but its When If irst heard music by Masters at Work and Grant nelson it was what we called House and Garage back then and thats when my vinyl addiction came into play and soon obsessed with buying records and building my collection and then i got decks to play them on and was hooked by the art and the music.
As a producer whats your favourite genres?
I am mainly inspired making versions of old classics that i have grown up listening and loving and fattening them up with that has the dance floor in mind and so they can be performed live as part of my music collective. But I love Soulful house and i have a lounge project that i have loved making.
What are some of your favourite tracks you have produced?
I really love a track called soul feeling and times are changing , its difficult when you have spent a long time on a record your not always inspired to keep playing it but i do enjoy these tracks still a lot.
In your opinion what is the most rewarding part of being a DJ?
The connection of music and your audience its such a great feeling when the energy connects and people are lifted by the music. Music is such an important part of the event so when you get it right its so lovely to see what a great time people have.
How would you describe your own development as a producer?
I have still so much to learn and to develop its a constant learning journey working with more live instruments has really changed things in an amazing way.
During last couple of years you have become more famous in Asia, your thoughts?
In the last few years i have been doing so much more in London, I used to travel the globe continually with music however that is definitely less and after COVID it changed things a lot but its been nice to not be jumping on a plane all the time and do in this part of the world.
High on Heels is considered as one of the the No.1 female band in the world, your thoughts on this?
I feel we were one of the first DJ live band especially in the UK there was no one really doing what we did back in 2002. its a different market now as there is so many artists that have set up DJ Live concept so it would say its flooded with this now however the Artist we work with and the experience we have makes us stand out in the busy market.
Let’s say you have a gig coming up tonight. What does your approach look like – from selecting the material and preparing for, opening and then building a set?
It depends on if its me DJ’ing or I am doing a live set with the band , its good to know what the event I am playing at the demographic ie ages etc this all helps with preparation however my music library is full and i am all about reading the situation and knowing what music to pull out its all about timing.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I keep fit by going to group training , I have been practicing yoga for many years so I get on the mat at least a couple of times a week, Music is still my hobby soIi search for music try things out .. eat healthy and spent time with my little boy.
Could you take us through a day in your life?
I am busy being busy that what i say to people when i am not travelling for gigs i am preparing for them , i am up early getting breakfast for my son and planning his day etc.. then I am catching up with work and normally preparing for some event we have coming up.
How did you managed yourself during pandemic?
I had my son just before the pandemic he was 3 months old and so i just with the world and spent all my time with him. It was a blessing not the situation of course but the time I got as I was juggling work and I hated leaving him so everything stopped !! I did a few online DJ sets but I that was it. I did a gig in Dubai as that was the only place still open which I enjoyed so much as I had missed playing but apart from that i enjoy myself in the garden and being outdoors mainly at home.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I see my self doing the same thing as I love it.. I am into sound Healing and healing frequencies so I want to spend more time on that to.
What are some of the considerations that go into deciding which track to play next?
What makes two tracks a good fit? Its a flow for me I have always done this instinctively if I am able to play freely of course i.e not got a play list to play or been told to play a style of music then you have to make those tracks work and there are DJ Tools to do that now.
Would you say you see DJ’ing as improvisation?
Yes I would really its what I love about it no set is the same sometimes magic happens with music and then you try to recreate it and its not the same.
What’s your go-to pre-gig ritual?
Make sure I have everything I need so a check list before headphones music , power banks etc, drink water is always a good plan , some positives affirmations and we are good to go…
If you weren’t a DJ, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would go into sound healing which I am doing anyway gut I would spend more time on that and helping people through sound.
What’s the most memorable fan interaction you’ve had?
I had a person that found me from doing the radio so this was a long while ago then they would list every gig I played at and they would come along and have a pen a paper and write down every record I played !!
What’s currently on your personal playlist (non-DJ’ing related)?
It depends I love Artists like OMAR, Jill Scott, I also like lounge music Like Air, I play all sorts, 80’s soul etc…
If you could collaborate with any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
I would love to do a record with Sean Escoffery. I love his voice and could really hear him on one of my records, I would of loved to of collaborated with Roy Ayres when he was alive.
What first drew you to DJing, and when did you realize this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
DJ’ing happened to me, I was a collector of Music first and then the rest happened the stars aligned really.
Were there any specific DJs or musical artists that inspired you early on?
Master’s of Work for sure music wise I loved everything they did, DJ Spoony has been a dear friend of mine for many years and DJ wise has always inspired me. There are quite a few people that continue to inspire me.
What was your journey like breaking into the DJ scene? Did you face any particular challenges or advantages as a female DJ when you were starting out?
I think initially I feel there were many advantages being female as when I stared there were not many of us that were serious and stuck the Art the passion. As technology has made things easier its opened the door to many other DJ’s in general . There was a time where woman were DJ’ing topless and using that side to get work which was not the best thing for us females to come up against however I feel the whole scene has changed now and there are many great women Artists respected and admired for the music rather then what they look like.
How did you learn the craft of DJ’ing? Self-taught, mentorship, courses?
I learned myself, so I have always had my own way and style of DJ’ing but it’s instinctive and by using my ears not technology as such so it works for me.
What was your first gig like, and how did you feel during it?
I don’t fully remember the first gig but I do remember very early on playing in a club in London, the aquarium old street and I took the record off while its was playing, I really though I would never want to play out again, as it was dramatic while people where into the record I took the wrong one off !! I would like to say I never did it again but I did that a few times in my lifetime…
How would you describe your signature DJ style or the genres you primarily play?
I play everything now, I did start of as a house DJ soulful, Latin, disco etc.. now I really do play everything depending on the event they call it cross platform as you can play many different styles in a set.
How do you prepare for a set? What’s your process for selecting tracks and structuring your performance?
If I have been given a playlist for a wedding I tend to organise it into style as that helps me with BPM ’s and what will go into what well. If its my own gigs i.e. a free range of what I want to play I know already what works well with what so I just need to reorganise my playlists so I know where everything is.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry and DJ culture?
Again I feel its changed a lot the music industry can be harsh and hugely competitive it can be frustrating at time especially releasing music etc. However I focus on my own lane, I put music out on my Dad’s label and so its healthier to be in control of my own destiny in that respect.
Do you prefer playing open format, or do you like to stick to specific genres?
I now prefer open format as I feel its a skill I had to learn.. so I really enjoy this side now and playing music I don’t normally get to play..
What’s your favorite part about performing live?
The energy of the crowd connecting with people through music.. I think I do that most with the band as the songs we choice everyone loves to sing along so that a great connection with people
How do you read a crowd and adapt your set to keep the energy going?
You can feel energy if your sensitive to that i do always know when someone does not really feel the music and vibe versa .. I sometimes have to accept I wont please everyone but I like to try !!!
What’s one track you can always count on to get a crowd moving?
Its funny as they are normally the tracks I am less likely to want to play so I would only go there if I felt I had to as there is so many good tracks that do that job to. Rhianna we found love ! is one of those we do it sometimes live in our set and people still absolutely still love this big build up and of course the sing along vocal, we also have Gimme Gimme and Abba remix that has taken over that slightly all of these I prefer doing them live in our way but they are crowd pleasers.
Do you incorporate any live elements, instruments, or unique mixing techniques into your sets?
Yes always this is what High On Heels is all about fusing live instruments we have sax, percussion, Trombone, Trumpet, guitar and electric violin sometimes and of course live vocals. We create all our own versions of tracks so the instruments have space and can do there things
What’s the most challenging aspect of DJ’ing for you?
I would say the late nights, you can sometimes really run on less sleep as the schedule for flights and travel can be brutal.
Have you encountered any specific challenges or stereotypes as a female DJ in a historically male-dominated industry? If so, how have you navigated them?
I think I explained before I do feel there is a lot of focus on what females look like, I think that’s a general thing anyway but as an all female band I have had people want different musicians or Artists on there looks rather then focusing on there talent which is a shame and I feel it doesn’t happen as much for the male artists I know however it is what it is and you have to be strong and keep focused on your talent and continue to prove yourselves.
What are some of the positive aspects or unique perspectives you bring as a female DJ?
I work with mainly female DJ’s. I find the artist I work with so good at reading the crowd, they don’t play with there ego they want to please the crowd and are all amazing at doing that. They have had to prove themselves so they are all very skilled at doing this.
How do you feel the landscape for female DJ’s has changed (or not changed) over the years?
I feel its changed a lot, its become a lot more accessible to people and so I feel there are a lot more females in the industry doing there thing now.
What advice would you give to other aspiring female DJ’s?
Do it because you love it, keep your passion alive keep pushing believing in your self and you can achieve what you want to do.
Have you found a supportive community among other female DJ’s?
Yes I have some lovely friends that I have met along the way that we continue to support each other and happy for our successes.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of a DJ career, especially with late nights and travel?
There hasn’t been much balance in the past as I toured for 3 years solidly with Hedkandi and then I set up High on Heels and that was a huge amount of focus building that brand. Now I choose not to do long hall any more. I have a little boy so I have needed to create more balance so I am fully present with him and so I think I have created a good balance now with work and home life.
Where do you see yourself and your career in the next five years? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or goals?
I am continuing to release our music as I have so much of that to finish and share with everyone. More great events, more collaboration. I am working a lot more with the musicians now so I am excited doing that and it inspires me as I mentioned before I am looking into music to heal and other areas of that so that’s another focus of my time and something I wish to share with the world soon.
Are there any trends in DJ’ing or music production that you find particularly exciting or concerning?
AI is a huge change its here and it can be very exciting if its used correctly but its another huge change about to happen to music.
What’s one dream venue or festival you’d love to play at?
I would love to play at Glastonbury in my life time, I am normally already playing but I think it would be an incredible experience.