Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Fiehrer
Hi Alex, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi, thanks for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story with your readers. I’m co-founder of OPE Collective, a dance music promotional company based in Columbus, Ohio.
My passion for music started early—piano lessons, mix CDs, and sharing iPods with friends were all part of my childhood. However, I never saw music as a career until I started DJing in college. At the time, many of my musical inspirations were DJs, and I was drawn to the idea of taking a crowd on a journey through a seamless, evolving set. Once I began DJing, I couldn’t stop. It was clear to me this would become more than just a hobby.
In 2017, I moved to Columbus, where I immersed myself in the city’s dance music scene. For the first time, I felt a deep musical connection to my peers and a sense of belonging within a larger community. It was there that I met Zach Lowe, my DJ partner, and Max Bockoven. We became roommates, sharing a common musical vision. After a few years of collaborating and building on that vision, we decided to launch OPE Collective.
OPE Collective was born in 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, when the three of us and our close friends started live streaming DJ sets. Like many people at the time, we were looking for ways to be connected and creative while staying safe. These live streams quickly turned into house parties as restrictions lifted, and what started as informal gatherings began to evolve into something bigger.
As our community grew, we saw an opportunity. The dance music scene in Columbus felt limited, and many of the local DJs were getting booked at the same handful of venues. We thought there had to be more unique, untapped spaces in the city that could be transformed into dance floors. So, we started experimenting with different venues for each of our events, keeping things fresh and offering our audience the chance to experience new places around the city. Over the past four years, we’ve held shows at more than 15 different venues, many of which had never hosted a dance party before.
It’s been incredible to see the community grow alongside our events. What started as a few friends DJing together has turned into a collective that’s not just about music, but about bringing people together and supporting the local arts scene.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m happy to say, it has been a relatively smooth road for us so far. I think that’s because we really focused on building a solid foundation from the start. Our core group of 7 resident DJs (Fear & Lowe, Bockoven, Govan Jones, Jimmy Jent, Benton, Zouventus), who have over 40 years of combined DJ experience, has been key in allowing us to connect with various communities and markets within Columbus. We understand the nuances that make a party successful—what works, what doesn’t, and how to create an experience people want to come back to.
From the beginning, we made it a point to emphasize quality music and quality DJing. This approach has helped build a sense of trust with our audience. No matter who is on the decks, you know you can expect a good time. This consistency has been crucial in developing our loyal following. You can’t have a good party without good music!
We’ve also been very mindful about taking risks. While we’re not afraid to try new things, we always do so with careful consideration. We believe in slow and steady growth, and so far, that approach has served us well. We’ve learned that small, measured steps can lead to sustainable success over time.
That being said, we’re not immune to setbacks. There have been events that didn’t perform to the level we wanted. But we take those moments as valuable learning opportunities. Each event, whether it’s a hit or a miss, gives us the opportunity to improve and grow as a collective.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At OPE Collective, we specialize in creating unique, immersive dance experiences that go beyond just great music. Our focus is on curating high quality events that combine exceptional DJing with a completely transformed environment, making each show feel like a brand new experience. We’re known for our ability to take any venue, whether it’s a warehouse, art gallery, or wedding venue, and completely transform it into a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere that feels distinctly like an OPE show.
One of the things that sets us apart is the level of detail we put into the visual and sensory experience. We don’t just play music; we create an environment that pulls people in and enhances the energy of the night. Depending on the venue, we use a mix of decorations like vines, plants, inflatables, OPE-branded signs, parasols, disco balls, and more to create a completely unique space. It’s all about crafting an atmosphere where the music, the lighting, and the decor come together to transport people to another world.
We also collaborate with local industry professionals to ensure we deliver the best lasers, visuals, and high-quality sound, which helps elevate the overall experience. It’s all about providing an immersive environment where the energy of the crowd, the music, and the visuals create an unforgettable vibe. Some of our favorite collaborators are Null Entertainment, Parallax Visuals, Bus8 Productions, My Best Friends Party, Be Louder Group, and The Summit Music Hall.
What I’m most proud of is our ability to completely transform whatever space we’re in and make it feel like an OPE show. It’s incredible to see the reaction when people walk into a space they may have visited before and suddenly experience it in a totally new way. That’s what makes our events so special: the combination of creative vision, community, and the shared experience of discovering something new together.
We’ve built a reputation for consistently offering this level of thoughtfulness and dedication to every show, and it’s what makes OPE Collective stand out in the Columbus scene.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Some advice for anyone just starting out is to focus on building a strong foundation. It’s important to invest time in getting the basics right before trying to scale too quickly. I think one of the keys to our success has been the slow and steady approach we’ve taken, both in terms of growth and the way we’ve developed our brand. We decided early on to only host one event per month so we don’t oversaturate ourselves and keep people looking forward to the next month’s event.
One thing I wish I’d known when we were starting out is just how much behind-the-scenes work goes into creating a successful event. From negotiating with venues and vendors to managing logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the night of the event, it’s a lot more than just booking a DJ and opening the doors. Building a solid team that you trust is crucial. Whether it’s handling the technical aspects of the show, creating the visual elements, or just having someone to bounce ideas off of, having a good team makes all the difference.
When it comes to building a brand, consistency is key. You want your audience to know what to expect when they come to one of your events, and that doesn’t just mean great music. It’s about creating an identity that people can connect with and get excited about. You want your brand to stand for something people can rely on. For us that’s an immersive atmosphere, unique venue transformations, and quality sound, music, and people. If you maintain a high standard and deliver that consistently, you’ll build a loyal audience who is eager for the next event.
Lastly, remember to have fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/opecollective
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ope_collective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opecollective/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ope1255
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/opecollective
