Orly Gal: I'm thrilled to be here today with Paolo Ferrara, also known as the "Heavy Destroyer" within the HEX movement. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 10-year anniversary of HEX in London, and I have to say, the energy was absolutely electric. The sense of community was powerful, and I think it's a testament to the impact you’ve had on the techno scene and the personal connections you've forged through music. Paolo, it’s truly a pleasure to talk to you today about your journey, the evolution of HEX, and your dynamic relationship with Lorenzo. Welcome.

Paolo Ferrara: Thank you so much for the kind introduction, Orly. It’s a pleasure to be here.

 

Orly Gal: Let’s dive in! You’re known as the "Heavy Destroyer" within the HEX movement.

Paolo Ferrara: Quite the reputation to uphold!

 

Orly Gal: You’ve really set the bar high.

Paolo Ferrara: Now, everyone expects me to show up and destroy things!

 

Orly Gal: (laughs) Musically, of course—in the best possible way!

Your shows are legendary for their pulsating energy—a beautiful balance of chaos and order. Can you take us back to the moment when you first felt connected to techno and metal? The fusion of those genres weren’t really a thing before the movement, so what sparked your passion for them?

Paolo Ferrara: It actually started early on, with my family. My mother wasn’t a metalhead, but she was a huge lover of disco and dance music. She and my father were both very young when they had me, and they would go out to clubs on the weekends. So, I grew up around that groove. I guess I can say it’s in my DNA. It wasn’t as fast as the music we play today, but I was already exposed to that energy, the rhythm. I remember the 128 BPMs really getting me excited, and even as a kid, I was vibing to that sound. And then, as a teenager, I started exploring more, discovering the first CDs. In Italy, there were some underground artists playing electronic techno, and I saw them live at famous clubs. At that time, there was this trend of vocalists performing during sets, and they’d shout crazy things. My mother would go crazy, asking what I was listening to—it was so different from the traditional music she loved. I was still pretty young, just 13 or 14, and not yet part of the underground scene.

 

Orly Gal: That's such an interesting path. You know, growing up in other parts of the world, techno wasn’t always as integrated into the culture, so it came to us later in life. For me, growing up with rock and classical music, I see how those genres influenced what I do now. But you guys—what you’ve created with HEX—it’s almost like a new genre that didn’t exist before.

Paolo Ferrara: Exactly. And around that time, I was also a huge fan of rock bands like Linkin Park. Their album was always on loop on my Walkman. I dreamed of being a singer, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. So, DJing seemed like a more accessible route.

 

Orly Gal: And how did that evolve from there?

Paolo Ferrara: I started meeting friends who had Pioneer DJ setups, and I’d go to their place to learn. At first, I wasn’t very good. There were no BPM counters, no Traktor or digital tools like today. It was all vinyl, and I had to learn to beatmatch manually. It was tough, and I was only 15, so I made a lot of mistakes. The first few gigs I had were disasters. But that was a learning experience. I took that lesson and decided to sell my motorcycle to buy DJ equipment. I locked myself in my garage for a year, playing every day and driving my neighbors mad. But it was worth it.

Orly Gal: What a journey! At 15, you already had the discipline to lock yourself away and practice.

Paolo Ferrara: Yeah, I was dropped by the organization that had booked me. But that rejection was the turning point for me. It pushed me to work harder. I started getting better, organizing my own events, and eventually the same organization came back to me because I was booking the best venues in town. That’s how life works—it’s a constant cycle. You fall, you get back up, and you keep moving forward.

 

Orly Gal: I love how that turned around. It’s so inspiring to see how far you’ve come. So, let’s talk about HEX. The brand has evolved so much over the past decade. What were some of the defining moments that influenced both the project and your personal artistic journey?

Paolo Ferrara: For me, it all comes down to choices. At some point, I had to decide whether to follow the typical route—university, a normal job, staying in my hometown—or leave everything behind and follow my passion for music. It was a huge decision. There are so many factors that make this choice difficult—family, society, financial barriers—but if you want to succeed, you have to have a clear intention. I made the decision to pursue my dreams, and I’ve never looked back. It’s not an easy road, but it’s worth it.

 

Orly Gal: I’m curious—if you hadn’t chosen music, what would you have done?

Paolo Ferrara: I probably would’ve been a lifeguard on the beach. I love the ocean.

 

Orly Gal: Well, I’m glad you chose music!

Paolo Ferrara: (laughs) Me too! I don’t think I would have been happy working in an office, anyway.

 

Orly Gal: Now, let’s talk about your relationship with Lorenzo. It’s such a central part of HEX. You guys have been working together for over 10 years. What have been some of the challenges in balancing your individual artistic visions with the collective identity of HEX?

Paolo Poli (Hex): When you’re in a partnership, especially a creative one, it’s not always easy. But the last 10 years have been incredibly successful for us. We started with nothing—both in our relationship and with the brand. We met in Barcelona in 2013, both 23 years old, and instantly connected. We started throwing underground parties for 80 people. The first two were very secretive, but after that, word spread fast. We were in the magazines, getting interviews. At that time, Barcelona wasn’t known for the kind of techno we were playing, so people were skeptical at first. But we had a strong vision and knew it would work. Lorenzo found our first venue, and the synergy between us just clicked. That’s how HEX was born.

 

Orly Gal: It’s clear you’ve built something truly special. The inclusivity at the heart of HEX really stands out. How did this become a cornerstone of the movement?

Paolo Ferrara: Thank you for saying that. Inclusivity is everything to us. If you look at the HEX logo, you’ll see the duality it represents—light and darkness, black and white, different religions, sexual orientations, and more. The music transcends those boundaries and creates a space where everyone feels welcome. Lorenzo and I embody this duality. We represent two opposite forces that, together, create something powerful. It’s all about unity, acceptance, and love.

 

Orly Gal: I noticed the emblem on the ceiling at the party—it’s a beautiful symbol. It’s like the Prince symbol: you don’t need to explain it; you just feel it. That’s how the vibe at HEX events is. It’s not just about aggression or intensity; it’s about love, unity, and belonging.

Paolo Ferrara: Exactly. And we’ve had so many fans get our logo tattooed on their bodies. It’s amazing to see how deep this movement goes. It’s not just about throwing parties; it’s about creating a sense of community. There are over 200 people with HEX tattoos now, and that means the world to us. In those tough moments, knowing that we have the support of our fans gives us the strength to keep going.

 

Orly Gal: That’s so powerful. Now, I want to shift gears a bit. You’ve ventured into fashion with HEX as another layer of your artistic expression. What sparked your interest in fashion?

Paolo Ferrara: Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a fashion expert. As you can see, I prefer to go almost naked! But fashion, for us, is another form of artistic expression. We’ve collaborated with amazing designers, and many international artists have supported our creations. Fashion, videography, photography—they all help express the same message. It’s not about the medium; it’s about the intention behind it. As long as the message is one of passion, love, and inclusivity, it doesn’t matter how it’s delivered.

 

Orly Gal: I love that. It's all about expressing your true self, regardless of the form it takes. Before we wrap up, I want to ask: what’s next for you and HEX?

Paolo Ferrara: For us it’s all about pushing boundaries. We’re constantly evolving, always searching for new ways to challenge ourselves. As long as we have the support of our community, we’ll keep going, exploring new realms of music and art. The journey never ends—it just keeps getting better.

 

Orly Gal: Incredible. Well, I can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us today, Paolo. It’s been such a pleasure.

Paolo Ferrara: Thank you, Orly. The pleasure’s all mine.