Built to last: Vithz on patience, purpose, and the long game

There’s a certain kind of artist who doesn’t chase moments — they build them. Slowly, carefully, with a sort of quiet fire that resists spectacle but commands presence. Vithz is one of them. A selector, producer, and curator whose work isn’t just about playing music — it’s about transmitting feeling, shaping spaces, and building a world that mirrors his inner clarity.

In an era when the industry often prioritizes speed, visibility, and aesthetics over substance, Vithz has taken a different approach. His name doesn’t ride the algorithmic wave of gimmicks or clickbait. Instead, he’s found his way into the world’s most respected booths and brands by staying grounded, consistent, and devoted to the craft. There’s no illusion here — just deep-rooted intention and undeniable skill.

But that journey hasn’t been without tension. When your path is built on authenticity, you’re often called to say no more than yes. To wait while others rush ahead. To prioritize alignment over applause. In this conversation, Vithz opens up about the invisible weight of those decisions and the discipline it takes to keep showing up without compromising who you are.

Beyond the booth, he’s also an architect of experience, producing tracks that echo the soul of Detroit and Chicago without becoming a museum piece, and curating events like U Feel that put presence over pretense. Whether behind the decks, in the studio, or designing a night from scratch, Vithz’s approach is the same: emotionally intelligent, sonically rich, and always rooted in real connection.

What’s striking is that he never romanticizes the work. He speaks with honesty about the pressure to fragment, the temptation to fit in, the moments he’s walked away from something shiny because it just didn’t feel right. His compass, he explains, is internal — and when it starts to shake, he knows it’s time to pause, reset, and come back sharper.

This is a conversation about music, yes — but also about patience, discipline, and the long game of building a life and a legacy that feel good on the inside, not just impressive from the outside. Vittorio doesn’t just play to the crowd. He listens to it, learns from it, and then creates something that feels like both a reflection and a refuge. And in today’s noisy landscape, that’s a rare and radical act.

You’ve spoken about reaching goals you envisioned years ago — playing in iconic clubs, collaborating with respected brands. Can you take us back to that early vision? What were those dreams rooted in, and what inner transformation did it take to make them real?

“The early vision came from a deep love for the culture. I was just someone on dance floors, feeling something I couldn’t explain — something bigger than myself. I imagined what it would feel like to contribute to that energy, to be behind the booth in places I admired from afar.”

“Over time, the dream evolved into a commitment: to grow, learn, and respect the journey. Getting the chance to now collaborate with respected brands and play in some of those venues is something I don’t take for granted.”

“But I also know I’m still building step by step with so much more to explore.”

In an industry that often emphasizes visibility over substance, how have you managed to attract the right kind of attention without chasing trends or compromising your integrity?

“I’ve tried to let my work and my community speak for me. I’ve never been interested in going viral or doing things just for visibility. I believe when you focus on delivering quality sets, experiences, and energy, people take notice. That kind of attention might come slower, but it lasts longer and means more.”

There’s a fine line between entering the ‘right circles’ and losing yourself in them. How have you navigated creative environments while maintaining a clear sense of identity, and what have you learned about the importance of patience and timing in this process?

“There’s a temptation to adapt yourself to fit in when you start getting access to certain circles. But I realized early on that the only way to belong is by being honest with who you are. I didn’t want to lose myself just to be accepted — I’d rather take the longer road and arrive fully aligned.”

“I’ve learned to be patient, to trust that the right connections will come if I stay consistent and intentional. Timing is everything. Some doors open later than you hope, but they open when you’re ready.”

Have there been pivotal moments where you had to say no to people, places, or projects, to stay aligned with your purpose? What did those moments teach you about long-term growth versus short-term gain?

“Yes, there have been moments where I’ve chosen to say no, whether to gigs, collaborations, or situations that didn’t reflect my vision. It wasn’t always easy, especially early on, when every opportunity felt precious. But I knew that staying aligned with my musical and personal growth meant being selective, even when it meant turning down something that looked good on the surface.”

“Those moments taught me the value of long-term thinking. Growth isn’t just about exposure… It’s about building something solid, something that reflects who you are at your core.”

You describe the studio not just as a workspace, but as a place where identity is shaped. How do you approach creation when you’re not aiming for a single outcome, but rather refining your voice across time and emotion?:

“The studio is where I process things, emotionally and artistically. I often go in without a fixed goal, just with a curiosity to see what comes up. That allows me to create from a real place, not from pressure or trends.”

“Some days I leave with nothing tangible, other times something clicks. But in either case, I know I’ve moved one step closer to refining who I am as an artist. It’s a slow unfolding, and I’ve learned to embrace that.”

Your music lives in a space that bridges the raw soul of Chicago and Detroit with a contemporary, forward-looking lens. What draws you to that intersection, and how do you explore it without falling into nostalgia or predictability?

“What draws me to that intersection is the timeless feeling. There’s something in those early records — the swing, the rawness, the warmth — that still feels so alive. But I don’t want to romanticize it or get stuck in a loop of nostalgia.”

“Instead, I use it as a point of departure. I’m inspired by the attitude and the honesty of that sound, but I want to explore where it can go next, using today’s tools and my perspective as a DJ and producer in this moment.”

Versatility is a powerful trait, but it can also become a trap if it dilutes intention. How do you preserve your artistic core when adapting your sound across different labels, dancefloors, and cultural contexts?

“I feel versatility doesn’t mean changing who you are; it means understanding the foundations of your sound deeply enough to speak different languages without losing your accent.”

“I keep coming back to the core elements that define me — whether it’s groove, emotion, or energy — and let those guide me, no matter the label or place. That’s how I maintain integrity and intention.”

You’re simultaneously a DJ, a producer, and a curator with an international vision. How do you protect the thread of connection between these roles so they don’t fragment, but rather deepen your overall creative mission?

“One of the most rewarding aspects of juggling these roles is how much they feed into each other. Producing sharpens my musical understanding and experimentation, which directly enhances how I read and respond to a dancefloor as a DJ. Curating events gives me a unique perspective on how music shapes environments and communities, deepening my appreciation for the impact of both DJing and production.”

“This cross-pollination helps me maintain a holistic view of my creative mission. Rather than seeing my roles as separate silos, I treat them as interconnected avenues for expression and connection.”

“At the same time, I stay aware of the risk of overextending myself or losing focus, so I try to set intentional goals and boundaries. It’s a balancing act, but one that ultimately strengthens my work across all fronts.”

How does touring — absorbing new energies from different crowds and cities — reshape what you bring back into the studio or the way you design a U Feel night? Is there a creative feedback loop between the dancefloor and your inner process?

“Touring pushes me out of my comfort zone and exposes me to new rhythms, sounds, and energies. Those moments challenge me and inspire me to keep growing.”

“Back in the studio, I’m always thinking about how to translate those experiences into something fresh yet true to my voice. And when I work on U Feel nights with my team, I try to capture that sense of discovery and connection, creating spaces where people can share in that same feeling of being present and alive through music.”

“This continuous flow between the outer world and my inner creative process keeps me humble, curious, and motivated to keep pushing forward.”

When the pace accelerates — with gigs, deadlines, and constant movement — how do you recognize the signs that it’s time to pause, reflect, and recalibrate? What anchors you when the balance starts to tip too far in one direction?

“It’s not always easy to draw the line, especially when you’re building momentum and opportunities keep coming in. But I’ve come to rely on intuition — it’s my internal compass. If I start feeling like I’m showing up without presence or purpose, that’s a clear signal it’s time to pause.”

“In those moments, I strip things back to the essentials: chill time with friends, prioritizing quality over quantity — in both relationships and gigs — and making space to just be. That recalibration usually brings me back stronger, with a deeper sense of direction.”

Vithz represents the kind of artist who increasingly stands out in a saturated and often superficial scene. His approach is neither reactionary nor trend-chasing; instead, it’s rooted in craft, emotional authenticity, and long-term vision. That in itself signals a maturity that goes beyond his years and places him among a more refined class of emerging talent — one that values substance over spectacle.

What’s immediately notable in his discourse is a deep respect for the lineage of dance music — particularly the soulful, raw ethos of Chicago and Detroit — without becoming mired in nostalgia. He isn’t trying to recreate the past; he’s engaging with it as a framework for forward motion. That makes his positioning interesting: he’s not retro, and he’s not aggressively “cutting edge” either. He’s in conversation with the past, present, and future, which is where the most enduring electronic voices tend to operate.

There’s also a clear sense of intentionality in everything he says, especially around curating events and managing a multifaceted creative life. He doesn’t view DJing, producing, and event curation as separate disciplines — rather, as interconnected expressions of the same artistic mission. This cross-disciplinary awareness is crucial, especially in today’s ecosystem where artists are expected to wear multiple hats. Vithz seems not only capable of doing so but of maintaining coherence and emotional clarity across those roles, which is rare.

If there’s any critique, it’s that his tone leans toward measured and restrained, even when addressing topics that carry emotional weight or personal challenge. That’s not necessarily a flaw, but it does leave room for future interviews or features to dig deeper, to explore the messier, more vulnerable layers beneath the polished ethos. Those human edges, when shared, often offer the most compelling insight.

Still, in a scene where visibility often trumps voice, and algorithms reward immediacy over integrity, Vithz’s commitment to slow growth, musical integrity, and cultural respect makes him not only promising but essential. He’s the type of artist who earns his place,n ot just with output, but with intention. And if his trajectory continues at this pace, he’ll likely become a touchstone for a new generation of artists reclaiming depth and patience as forms of artistic resistance.

Creative director: LUDOVICA SALETTA

Photograph: RICCARDO MONTANARI