We will never conform to artistic promotions that simply follow trends. Instead, we explore new genres and within each genre, we seek out new talents, selecting those whom we consider key figures in the panorama. However, we always stay true to our fundamental musical philosophy and ideology. We choose names that will leave an indelible mark, deeply etched in the hearts of those who follow us and those who choose culture over ephemeral trends.
In March 2023 Surgeon released his latest album Crash Recoil. When he announced the namesake tour to present that, desirable cities such as Rome, Milan, Turin and Bologna didn’t appear on it. The exclusive Italian date was on 8th April at Aphelion Club in Trani, organised by Ways Collective for its tenth birthday. How did you feel about that?
First and foremost, I must say that it was a great honor for me to personally meet Antony Child. It was my first time, and he was one of the few artists I had yet to encounter among the many I have met over the years. I must confess that the greatest joy for me lies in meeting these musical legends in person, as it is an incredible and captivating experience that has opened my eyes to the world in ways I could never have imagined. I have learned so much from their way of speaking, thinking, and their overall vision. Regarding the leg of the Crash Recoil tour, to be honest, I somewhat expected it: we have created a cultural background that is fertile ground for all the great artists of the past and present. I believe that, in a sense, anyone could take pleasure in leaving a part of themselves in this decade-long project.
Best memorable party of the past years?
Simply impossible, to mention just one or even select a few. There have been countless parties that have embodied our philosophy to the fullest. I could mention Freddy K, DJ Pete, Mike Parker, Donato Dozzy, who have been our esteemed guests on numerous occasions. Arpanet (Gerald Donald), Lil Louis, and of course, the incomparable DVS1. More recently, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting Skee Mask. But truly, there are far too many to count, spanning over the course of 10 years of our endeavors.
An international DJ you can’t wait to host? And why?
I don’t want to spoil anything, but we’re already hard at work on the programming for 2024. It promises to bring forth and welcome once again some of the greatest artists in history. If I have to mention just one, it would be Special Request or Luke Slater, whom we have already hosted in Apulia in collaboration with another crew, performing under his act Planetary Assault System—an unforgettable live experience. There are also other artists in the pipeline, but I cannot reveal their names just yet. Rest assured, they will capture the world’s spotlight and shine it upon Ways.
Besides organising events in your beloved Apulia, Ways has also become a costant presence in the Milan nightlife. Djs like Schacke, SPFDJ and Courtesy have burnt the Milanese dance floors in recent years. Have you always felt appreciated by the local people?
In Milan, we sought to create a reflection of our Ways programming in Apulia. We curated a series of events featuring artists with whom we had previously collaborated in Apulia, presenting them within the vibrant context of Milan, embracing the local community and yielding exceptional results. Each artist we brought forth was embraced wholeheartedly by the dancefloor, both in terms of their talent and in terms of attendance. It was a testament to the efficacy of our project, as it thrived even within a distant setting, thanks to the invaluable support and promotion from the local community. However, it must be acknowledged that also in Milan the challenging aspect of finding suitable venues hindered our ability to maintain a consistent presence and expand within the city’s scene. Regrettably, there is a lack of venues in Milan that align with the visionary concepts we aspire to, and this poses a significant hurdle to collaboration and growth in this regard.
Your upcoming event for the ten years of Ways is on 17th June at Aphelion Club in Trani with the master DVS1. It’s not his first time being hosted by the collective and, as far as I’m concerned, not so many realities like yours had this privilege. What kind of bond the Minneapolis-originated DJ has with you?
We’re talking about one of the true masters of his genre, a musician who not only creates music but shapes and elevates it to perfection. He brings incredible nuances, imbuing the sound with depth and three-dimensionality through his distinctive and recognisable selection. His style resonates and is unmistakably unique. I have immense admiration for him. From the moment DVS1 first performed at Ways, more than 5 years ago, it happened to be an open-air event, it was love at first sight—for both him and us. This strong bond was established right from the start. As a result, all his gigs in Apulia have been with us, fuelled by this profound connection. Whenever we collaborate on an event featuring him, we manage to bring forth the true essence of Ways, which embodies the essence of a DJ like Zak, thanks to his skilful hands and immense musical knowledge. The audience’s response is a reflection of this bond. This year, we will be at a new and stunning location, the Aphelion Club, where Zak will inaugurate the summer season in this magnificent venue by the sea in Apulia. Everything will be set against the backdrop of the sea and the rising sun. Even now, we perceive the growing hype, as people can barely contain their excitement. It’ll be memorable.
Since 2013 Ways Collective has shared this journey with more than 100 DJs not only from Italy but also from all over the world: Ancient Methods, Dj Nobu, Fade Mohem, Hadone, Regis, Dj Stringay 313, Rene Wise, Function (just to name a few). By taking some steps back, would you have ever guessed to achieve this goal? Is there anything you regret?
When we first embarked on this incredible journey, we had no inkling of where it would lead us. Day by day, we explored our vision of sharing music with the world. Now, as I look back on all these years and see the faces of the countless individuals who have grown alongside us, entire generations who continue to evolve together with Ways, carrying the love and mindset of this project wherever they go, I am overcome with emotion. It sends shivers down my spine. We have achieved something extraordinary, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about the path we’ve taken. The serendipity and the challenges we encountered along the way have shaped us into who we are today. They have propelled our growth and extended our reach beyond our homeland. We have nurtured entire generations, and to me, that is priceless.
Since in the current year Ways have blown ten candles out, how do you see the collective in other ten years? Any long-term plans you can reveal in advance?
What we’ll do is continue following the same path we have been on thus far, and in fact, with the expertise we gathered, we can only strive to do better. Our ideology, the love for music, respect for others, artists, collaborators, locations, and the dancefloor, will never change. There will always be the same passion in curating our lineups. Now that the artists know us, the opportunity to bring certain names or discover emerging talents becomes somewhat easier. Ways have created a precious cultural heritage, and the next ten years will be a journey of exploration, delving into the best that music has to offer. It will be a continuous growth, a perpetual discovery, an ongoing process of mutual education and improvement. The love for music will last forever.