The global pandemic gave me the time and space to fully dedicate myself to something I had long envisioned: creating a record label like Mutual Rytm. I took my time with this process, carefully planning the concept and strategy to ensure they aligned with my vision. My inspiration came from a deep passion for music, particularly the music I love and play. I wanted the label to be a true reflection of my personal tastes in music and the arts.

Beyond that, I wanted to create a space where artists could release their music and develop their craft with true creative freedom. After nearly a decade in the music industry, I felt it was important to support young and emerging producers who often need it most. At the same time, I aimed to provide a platform to industry veterans and icons who share our musical vision. My goal is to work closely with every artist on each release, making sure their music gets the attention it deserves. Above all, I want them to know I genuinely care about their work - not just for one release, but for their journey ahead, involving them in future plans and projects as well.

At the heart of this vision is building a community of like-minded individuals from different generations, all united by a 'mutual rhythm' and a shared focus on the music.

What is your musical vision for Mutual Rytm?

My vision for Mutual Rytm is to release timeless electronic dance music, primarily focusing on techno, from producers across all generations, reflecting my deepest musical inspirations. I am not interested in chasing trends or hype. My priority is authenticity - music with a strong character, a distinctive sound, and a high standard of production quality and aesthetics. I want our discography to always sound fresh and inspiring, even decades from now, with each record telling a cohesive story and showcasing the diverse spectrum of the genre. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Marco Bläsi (mutual rytm): the interview

VAULT SESSIONS BLOG SERIES

MUTUAL RYTM

As we prepare for our September Weekender, we're thrilled to be hosting Mutual Rytm on September 29 at BRET. Mutual Rytm is one of the most exciting techno labels shaping the scene today. Ahead of the event, we sat down with Marco Bläsi, A.K.A. SHDW, founder of Mutual Rytm, to dive into the story behind the label's creation and what it takes to keep it running at full speed.

You founded Mutual Rytm in 2022, what inspired the creation of the label?

You seem to put out records at a faster pace than many labels; is there a reason why you do this?

Yes, we do release records more frequently than many other labels, and that’s because of the incredible music I get from talented producers. I’d never put out a new 12" just to stick to a schedule if it doesn’t meet my standards or resonate with me. I work closely with the artists on each release, which takes a lot of time and effort, so I plan our releases well in advance to keep things running smoothly.

I believe that great music with real character will always be recognized and appreciated, no matter how often we release. By putting out high-quality music regularly, we boost the chances that our new releases will catch people’s attention and continue to sell and be streamed over time. Most importantly, this approach has also helped the artists build awareness for their music and support their personal growth, which is the true success for me.

How are you looking for new releases?

Most of the time, I reach out to artists whose music I’ve recently discovered or whose work I’ve admired for a while. I ask them if they have any unreleased tracks and if they’d be interested in working together. This method works best for me because I spend a lot of time digging for new music for my gigs. I’m not actively looking for new talents, as I mentioned earlier, I trust that good music will naturally come to light.

I also aim to build long-term relationships with the artists I work with, joining them on their musical journey and collaborating on new projects. I value keeping a respectful and supportive atmosphere as we create and release music together.

Your records have beautiful graphics...can you tell us about the artwork used?

When working on the logo with my graphic designer, Daniel, I wanted to capture the spirit of the early 2000s. My goal was to create a logo that reflects our timeless music style, while also being versatile and having a strong visual identity. The main logo features "MR", with the "R"designed to look like a tonearm on a record, highlighting my focus on music and love for vinyl. Just like with the music I sign, I have high standards for our visuals and designs because I believe they are an important part of the overall expression of the music.