blaze’s Kevin Hedge returns to production after a seven year hiatus with ‘Follow Your Heart’.
Kevin Hedge is one half blaze, the legendary house music duo with a career that spans more than 25 years. Their catalogue totals over one-hundred sixty published works, making it the largest catalogue produced by any single entity in the genre. As artist and businessmen, they have been involved in almost every facet of the music business.
Now, after seven years out of the studio, Hedge has returned with his first production since 2005's 'Found Love'. Here he talks about the reason for the hiatus, the message behind the song and having the most fun of his life…
How’s the year been treating you so far?
So far this year has been absolutely magnificent. I'm excited and inspired!
Tell us about some of the highlights from 2011…
By far the biggest highlight of 2011 was the birth of my first son.
‘Follow Your Heart’ is your first studio production since 2005… why the break and what made you come back to production?
Well, with the passing of Mel Cheren and Peter Harris, I lost some inspiration. They were huge sources of inspiration for me. It was their belief in me that help me to focus as an artist and business man. Also at that time, I’d had such good 23 year run as a songwriter, producer, club owner, nightlife producer, promoter, label owner, DJ and artist, I was tired!
Also, the way the music business as a whole was going, sales were down, gigs were down, party attendance was down and it seemed general enthusiasm around the business was down. So I put my focus on my family. What made me want to be active again was the desire to be of benefit to others, and the best way I knew how to achieve this was through music. I just want to see people happy.
Tell us a little about the track’s background the what it means to you…
‘Follow Your Heart’ is my first original studio production since ‘Found Love’ in 2005. It is a song Josh [Milan] and started before he went to work on his solo career. I was inspired to write these lyrics as I was thinking of what should I do while my partner pursued his solo dreams and aspirations. So I took some time off from studio production to meditate on what that means to me and would be best for my music career.
I realized that I should just do what I've always done write and produce what the Creator delivers to my heart. The answer was to ‘Follow my Heart’. To me this song is truly a blaze track written and produced in the blaze tradition. My hope is that it will be of benefit to someone's spirit.
You met the singer Rick Galaktik through Barbara Tucker, right? What it is about him as an artist that appeals to you?
Yes, Rick Galaktik came to my awareness through Barbara Tucker. She and I have been recording songs for her new album. One day she needed to record a vocal for a song she was collaborating with the DJN Project for one of their releases. They were doing a duet and Rick was the other vocalist. He blew me away with the quality of his voice and his delivery; I knew then that I had to have him on this song. But what sealed it was, he was just generally a great person.
Do you think this track marks the beginning of a new phase in your life and career? Can we expect more productions over the next few years?
At this point in my life and career I am having the most fun I have ever had. I am open to receive all the abundance of the universe and this would definitely include whatever songs and musical messages the Creator delivers to me.
What’s the most important thing for you about making music?
For me the most important thing about making music is being of service to the Creator and bringing joy to others, those things are what bring me joy.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about…?
I'm really looking forward to getting back out there on the road gigging and touching people. Thank you… world peace.
Follow Your Heart is out 15th February on HiRise – listen & pre-order
