The Werks are getting ready to host their now annual Winter Werk Out, the winter version of their larger summer jaunt in their home state of Ohio, next week. The two-day event will take place at Columbus’ The Bluestone on February 2nd and 3rd, with the host act performing both nights, joined by Papadosio (both nights), Phutureprimitive, Aqueous, Zach Deputy, LITZ, Mike Perkins, Electric Orange Peel, Ernie Johnson From Detroit, and Conscious Pilot (check out a schedule of the full weekend of music below). We had the chance to catch up with The Werks drummer and event organizer Rob Chafin and chat about the upcoming festivities and then some.

The Werks are no strangers to putting on some epic parties with their friends and fellow musical cohorts. Outside of an absolutely electric set of their own, the group always has some interesting collaborations hidden up their sleeve to surprise the audience with. When asked about the importance of teaming up with their fellow musicians within the community, Chafin explains, “We absolutely center our events around bands and acts that are our good friends. We are extremely honored to have so many incredibly talented friends in the music industry and always try to involve them in everything we do.”

With that comes the opportunity to bring back acts that can grow alongside the annual events, such as both Aqeuous and Electric Orange Peel, who will both be returning for the second year in a row. “Both bands are great friends and are on the rise,” Chafin explains, “we’re stoked to have them back as WWO Veterans!” In the case of Aqueous, the Buffalo-based quartet had an insane 2017, which culminated in a sold-out hometown New Year’s Eve throwdown at Town Ballroom, in which the group performed a special Gorillaz tribute set to celebrate moving forward into 2018. The band will also be heading out with fellow Winter Werk Out cohorts Papadosio for a string of winter dates.

Which leads us to the Asheville, NC-based outfit. Both Papadosio and The Werks have been friends and collaborators for years at this point, sitting in with one another and sharing the stage on many occasions during the course of their respective careers. Papadosio had a huge year with their own Re:creation headlining spot at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, major festival spots at Electric Forest, Oregon Eclipse, Resonance Music & Arts Festival, and proper send-off to 2017 down in Nashville at Marathon Music Works.

We recently had a chance to discuss new music on the horizon for the band with both Anthony Thogmartin and Billy Brouse (read what they had to say here), and it sounds like 2018 is looking to be even bigger and better as the band opens turns the page to a new chapter in their story. With both Dosio and The Werks on tap at WWO for two nights each, something special seems to be brewing, and you won’t want to miss out.

With both summer and winter Werk Out editions flexing artistic muscle and showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, the eyes remain on the prize of giving fans what they want. Rob Chafin explains, “Our main goal is to make the best experience we can for the fans. The fans are what these festivals are all about, because it is the passionate music lovers that truly make all of this possible. We are always actively asking the fans what acts they want us to book because we value their opinions very much. That being said, we are excited to announce that the 2018 summer Werk Out Festival is going to be the biggest year yet!”

The last few years have witnessed the music scene in the Buckeye state becoming one of the more solid markets in the country. “The Ohio music scene is one of the strongest in the country,” says Chafin. “You just can’t say enough about how amazing the music community is here, the word ‘family’ definitely comes to mind. From bands in our scene, like ekoostik hookah and Papadosio, to acts like John Legend and The Black Keys, Ohio definitely has a rich music history. Venues likes Legend Valley and Nelson Ledges Quarry Park are magical places that in truly put Ohio on the map for being one of the best festival hubs of the US.”

With essentially all the bands on the lineup coming off rocking New Year’s runs, and a brief holiday respite in the month of January, expect each groups’ batteries to be fully charged and raring to go kick off another year of relentless touring and music-making in 2018, with it all starting at WWO.

In case that’s not all enough, both The Werks and Papadosio will also collaborate for a Winter Werk Out Pre-Party on Thursday, February 1st at Woodlands Tavern to get things started properly.

Tickets for The Winter Werk Out are currently on-sale and can be purchased here. For additional info and event updates, join the Facebook Event page. For tickets to the Official Pre-Party with Members of both The Werks and Papadosio at Woodlands Tavern, go to Ticketweb.

***In addition to the musical festivities that will be taken place, Advocates of Change is teaming up with The Werks and The Open Shelter of Columbus to help those in need of warm clothing over the course of the year, especially during these frigid winter months. Please, please, and please bring donations of coats, sweaters, jackets, gloves, warm hats, scarves, and/or blankets to either night of the concerts on February 2nd or 3rd, and you will be entered into the WWO art giveaway drawing featuring art by PigeonHouse Studio, Light In Progress Studios, Spectrum Geometry, The Artwork of Danielle Sperandeo, Professor Rainbow, John Ckirk Art, and more! The Open Shelter is an incredible Columbus non-profit organization that was founded in 1983. They provide emergency shelter and assistance for homeless and marginally housed persons in Central Ohio.***

The Winter Werk Out also has an allotment of hotel packages for those traveling to Columbus from out of town at the Holiday Inn Downtown Columbus. Travel packages are available at the event website.

Take a look at some highlights and collaborations from past Werk Out’s:

The Werks “Black Betty” ft. Mihali of Twiddle

[The Werks Official]

The Werks “Fall” – Winter Werk Out 2017

[The Werks Official]

The Werks / Papadosio / Dopapod w/ Zach Deputy “Dark Side Of The Moon”

[The Werks Official]

Enter To Win A Pair Of Tickets:

Check out a full schedule for Winter Werkout below:

[cover image via Live And Listen]