Anastasios Diolatzis, aka Ison, is the founder and curator of Reworks Festival and a founding member of the NON collective. With more than two decades of activity both on and off stage, he remains a key figure in Greece’s contemporary music culture. A radio host and co-producer as one half of Actor One, he has curated numerous concept event series and established himself as a leading DJ selector with over 2,000 shows to date. His moniker, derived from the Greek word for “equal,” reflects the philosophy that has guided his career. This consistent passion for music and deep commitment to sound exploration have made him one of the most respected personalities in the country’s electronic scene.

Firmly rooted in Thessaloniki and its underground spirit, Anastasios continues to stay active, creative, and in tune with the present. More than 23 years since his debut, he still inspires, evolves, and shapes the sonic landscape around him — equally, steadily, and meaningfully.

Could you share with us what mood or feeling guided you while putting this mix together?

I was very emotionally affected as our dog has just passed away the day before. Set was recorded in one take and it is dedicated to his loving memory. The idea was to create a mix for him, walking together in different parts of the city. So I used some field recordings from 4 different areas of Thessaloniki the Seih Sou forest, the seaside, the fish and meat market as well the area around the city walls.

How did you get into Japanese jazz, and has your interest in the music also made you curious about other aspects of Japanese culture?

I was always fascinated by Japan and I was always loved jazz music so it was kinda a natural process for me. Music is an endless journey were you constantly discover new paths. Japan has a close relationship with Jazz music and especially after the mid 60s more and more Japanese artists emerged, creating their own scene. As said, I am collecting jazz music for years so it was a matter of time for me to to get deeper into the scene of Japan. It is already more than 20 years that I am collecting jazz works from there and still I feel like I am in the beginning.

Could you tell us about a memorable performance in your career, one that holds special significance for you and your growth as an artist?

There are so many and I am truly blessed for that. But if I would have to choose just one, I would say perhaps my set at Sonar festival in Barcelona. I was playing at Sonar Village the main stage of their day program at the festival. So I decided to play a set which was consisted solely and entirely of music from Greek electronic artists only. As you very well know, our scene is small, Greek music is not often heard outside our borders, so this set had a very important meaning for me. Started from zero bpm with ambient sounds,poetry, reaching at some point 130 and then dropping gradually to ambient sounds again. I remember it was raining too still people were there dancing to my set and it was so spiritual and emotional, something I will remember forever.

I wish that I could say that still it is all about the music nowadays but it is not. Visual identity is very crucial and in fact in many cases it surpasses the role or importance of music, something that I find personally as a paradox actually. But we live in an excessive period nowadays, there is so much exposure, excess is everywhere around us, from politics around the world, to loud people controlling more and more segments of our lives. So as long as Visual identity serves the true cultural purpose and opens horizons to the audience I am fine with it.

In your opinion, what makes an artist stand out in today’s scene?

I think it is an equation or a formula that it is never the same. We can choose 5 different artists yet if we try to explain their success I am sure there will be differences. Originality is important, but also an ability to develop and evolve throughout time. And having ethos, something that sometimes is easily forgotten but I think it is very important.

As we share a taste for ambient, atmospheric music with a more esoteric character, what qualities do you think a record must have to earn a place on your shelf, one you return to for reflection and contemplation?

Originality, depth, vision and ability to create images in my mind.