Coffee Break with Shiffer | Ocultismo & the Art of Building a Universe
Hi Patrik, it's nice to have you here again, and congrats on launching Ocultismo! Starting a label isn’t just about putting out music—it’s about carving out a space in the scene and creating a movement. What’s the manifesto behind Ocultismo? What do you want this label to stand for?
Hello folks. Firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. That makes me very happy.
have been active as a producer and DJ in the electronica scene for almost 20 years now, and to be honest, I feel like we are increasingly losing focus on the music. I don’t want to sound like an old boomer, but I find it really unfortunate that in our scene, hard work and talent often no longer seem to matter. Instead, it’s becoming more about self-promotion, narcissism, and mass appeal.
I feel that many people, whether musicians or consumers, are actually aware of this. However, things are not heading in a good direction when talented artists can no longer fully express their art because they are increasingly forced to simply serve a market. I believe that is fundamentally wrong.
I also feel that nowadays I have to invest much more time to find good music that meets my standards. That’s because, due to algorithms, artists have to release more music per year, which ultimately comes at the expense of quality. Not every track you write is good enough to be released, and that’s perfectly fine. Those tracks are still part of the process.
With Ocultismo, I want to start a counter-movement. I want to release music that doesn’t necessarily have to be functional but instead touches the heart. I also want to give visual artists the opportunity to express themselves through Ocultismo. The goal is to create a creative ecosystem that is not just shaped by me but by all of us together.
I have also been thinking about starting my own label for years. But the reasons mentioned above have now definitely convinced me to do it.
On top of that, I have already reached a few milestones that I had set for myself, and I feel that it’s time to give something back.
Why "Ocultismo"?
The word "Ocultism" is described as follows:: "Occultism (from the Latin occultus 'hidden' 'concealed', 'secret') is a vague collective term for a wide variety of phenomena, practices and ideological ideological systems, whereby occult is roughly synonymous with esoteric, paranormal, mystical or supernatural."
I want to create a kind of a circle with creative people on Ocultismo, who are dedicated to art. Something twisted that one must first discover. A community that is honest and genuine. Maybe also a place where people can find each other who otherwise don’t feel so understood when it comes to the realities of today’s music business.
The first release just dropped: a collab EP between you and Paul Brenning, featuring a remix from Mano Le Tough—a serious move. What's the story behind the EP? Was Mano always on your radar for the first release, or did this happen organically?
A long time ago, when I attended the first Lost in a Moment party by Innervisions, Mano Le Tough played the opening set that day. I think my friends and I were among the first on the dance floor. Mano completely blew me away with his intro set. Since then, I have been following his journey as an artist, and there’s really no need to even discuss it—he is, in my opinion, one of the best artists in our scene.
In the past few years, I noticed that he played my tracks from time to time, so I simply asked him if he would do a remix for the first record. Honestly, I never thought he would actually do it. But he did, and now here we are.
I am genuinely very grateful and proud that these artists, whom I respect so much and who are role models for me, understand my vision with the label and contribute to it.
I’m already excited to reveal to you which artists we have on the second record... =)
Every label eventually develops its own DNA. Some have a strict sonic identity; others are more fluid and unpredictable. Where does Ocultismo sit on that spectrum? Are you setting rules for the sound, or is it more about breaking them?
I think Ocultismo will be a rather fluid label. I’m completely open to any direction or genre. BUT, the only big requirement I have is that the music must touch you. I don’t want to launch another label that’s filled with dancefloor bangers and robot-themed artwork. I want to create something romantic, something genuine—whatever form that may take. It’s about more than just music for me. It’s about creating a space within Ocultismo where people feel comfortable and can express themselves. I think if you do it correctly, a kind of DNA will emerge on its own over timeand I also like to see how things grow when you don’t restrict them.
Now that you’re in the driver’s seat of a label, you get to decide what makes the cut. What’s your A&R philosophy? Are you hunting for a certain type of artist, or is it all about a vibe that you can’t quite put into words?
It’s 100% about the vibe, but also about the person behind it. If we take younger artists as an example, I obviously want the music to be convincing and moving. On the other hand, I also want to offer a platform to artists who fascinate me as individuals.
I find it’s funny how in our scene, people always take themselves so "seriously," wearing the most expensive clothes, having the biggest riders, and creating all this drama around themselves. From my perspective, all of these artists end up looking the same, and the music from everyone sounds the same. I want to offer a safe haven for those with talent, hard work, intelligence, and good intentions.
Aesthetic Warfare – The Visual Side of Ocultismo
Your background in graphic design gives you an edge—music and visuals go hand in hand, and the covers you created for Adriatique's label, Siamese, are proof of that. How does your design approach shape Ocultismo’s identity? Are you treating the visuals as just as important as the sound?
I’ve really enjoyed giving shape to the ideas that have accumulated in my head over the years. And of course, the first cover comes from my own hand. However, the goal is also to function as a sort of selector here. Ideally, I would love for each cover to be created by a different artist, whether they are a graphic designer, photographer, painter, or whatever else. The visual art should go hand in hand with the music and enhance each other.
The artwork for the first EP feels like more than just an EP cover—it’s part of a bigger aesthetic universe. Are there specific influences or symbols you’re embedding in the imagery?
Yes, symbolism is very important to me, and I think you can play with it beautifully using the theme of occultism. As mentioned above, it’s not just about creating a random cover for a release. It should emphasize the release much more. My goal is to find a visual language that feels cohesive, despite the many planned styles.
In an era where most people consume music through tiny screens and algorithm-driven playlists, how important is the physical aspect to you? Will Ocultismo have limited vinyl runs, collector’s editions, or some other way to make the music feel more tangible?
I’ve thought a lot about this. But at this point, I had to be a bit more practical. There will definitely be vinyl releases in the future. However, for the start of the label, I had to make the decision not to go that route due to cost reasons. As a vinyl collector, this was, of course, a difficult decision for me...
Recent Releases & Creative Process
Your recent release on Innervisions was long-awaited, with the one-of-a-kind track "We Care", featuring Paul Brenning too. This track means a lot to us and surely a lot of people around the world can resonate. Could you tell us about the story behind this track, the idea and the process for creating it?
The story is less exciting than one might imagine, but funny enough, it also fits into the story of Ocultismo. The percussion elements, bassline, and bass synth had been sitting on my hard drive for about 2-3 years as a project. One day, Paul reached out to me and asked if we wanted to try a collaboration. I didn’t know him, but I liked his voice from the very beginning. And when it comes to voices, I’m very picky… So I sent him the unfinished project, and two weeks later, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the vocals Paul sent back. I was completely overwhelmed.
I played the finished track for all my friends and musicians, and everyone loved it. But here’s the twist. Funny enough, no one wanted to sign the track for a long time. It got to the point where We Care almost became the first track on Ocultismo. I was so convinced of it, but at the same time totally confused that no one wanted to sign it, that I decided to start my own label to become more independent. When everything was ready—contracts, visuals, and distribution—Dixon reached out at the last moment to sign the track for Innervisions.
That's how life works. And thanks to everyone who didn’t want to sign the track—you pushed me to start my own label.
Ocultismo is here—what’s next for you and the label? Any upcoming projects, dream collaborations, or unexpected moves we should be watching out for?
First, I want to enjoy the moment and take time to reflect. Setting up the label was a lot of work, and it's important to take the time to appreciate what has been accomplished.
The next releases are in the pipeline. I want to use the momentum and not lose too much time between releases. Right now, I’m also working on events for Ocultismo. My goal is to start small events in my hometown of Basel. Here too, I want to grow slowly and steadily.
I’m also working with different people on merchandise and clothing to build something in that area as well.
Of course, I have artists in mind that I’d love to see on Ocultismo, but I won’t mention them here. Maybe fate will be kind to me, and I’ll be able to convince them.
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, across any creative field—not just music—who would it be and why?
I’m a big fan of Thom Yorke, Mark Hollis, and Raphael Saadiq. The music of these three has so much depth and honesty, which completely fascinates and moves me.
In general, I listen to all kinds of music at home. But if I had to choose artists from the electronic scene, it would be Burial, DJ Koze, and Brian Eno, just to name a few.
Any last words for our readers?
I would like to thank everyone who has supported and accompanied Ocultismo since its very first breath. I hope you all stay healthy, creative, and I truly hope our paths cross. If you have music, art, or other projects, or if you simply need a little feedback, don't hesitate to contact me.