CONVOLUTE: Decoding Complexity
A project born anew now under the sole vision of Sander Postma, Convolute creates striking aural pieces that tread across the gray areas in electronic dance music with immaculate ease. Conveying a narcotic blend of emotions and memories that come together in an intricate package for Shiffer’s Ocultismo, Convolute returns to the spotlight with the highly anticipated Everyday In My Life EP.
Comprised of 5 gorgeous cuts, the new record signals a bright new future for Sander Postma, and finds the Dutch producer delivering 5 immersive gems that showcase his unique approach to sound design, inspired by the electric metropolitan life.
In this interview, Type/01 sits down with Sander Postma to uncover the inner workings of his convoluted project, learn more about his creative process, revisit the inspiration for Everyday In My Life, his relationship with Shiffer, and more.
Hi, Sander! It’s a pleasure to link up. How are you doing? Where are you now? Thank you for joining us today.
Hi guys, first, thanks for having me! I’m doing very well. In 2025, Mathijs decided to leave Convolute to focus more on his work life. It’s with fresh energy that I will start off now. It’s been a long time since I last released some music. But 2025 will be a very productive year.
Sounds like it’s time to kick this one off then…Congratulations on the release of your new Ocultismo EP, Everyday In My Life. We can imagine the excitement must be high! So, how are you feeling about this one? Has the anticipation been high for you?
Thanks! I’m really excited about it. It’s the first EP release since the one in 2019. In the current music scene, it’s very hard to find a label that matches your sound and vision. With Ocultismo, I found the perfect place; it’s a place that allows a sound for a more introspective listener. I’ve got my favorite producer, Map.ache, to remix a track, so that is a big milestone for me.
Now, let’s dive straight into the record. Is there a story or concept behind Everyday In My Life? How did the idea for the title come about?
It’s not that every track of the EP has a deeper meaning. But I made the title track “Everyday In My Life” with the idea to show that no one is alone. In the first break, you hear a girl having therapy. She is kind of lost and has a really empty feel about her. After the break, the main vocal comes through, saying that someone needs her every day in his life; her loneliness is relative.
Comprised of 5 original cuts, Everyday In My Life paints quite a comprehensive picture of your current sound. What was the process for this EP like? Was it all done in one sitting, so to say? Or did it take you some time to compile the record?
Over the last 2-3 years, when there were no releases, I really focused on getting my own sound and identity. Within that period, I created a big catalog of unreleased tracks. I picked the tracks that fitted the vision of Ocultismo best.
With the sound I have now, I feel I’m a bit in nowhere-land. I’m not too niche/alternative for the Berlin scene, but I’m also not too big-room for the Melodic scene. This has its advantages but also its disadvantages. I feel my music is not ideal for big groups or pre-parties. It’s not to hype someone up per se, I’d rather have that it touches people. When I make music, I always picture the listener alone in his car back home. The music gives room for thought.
Where do you go to for inspiration? What is it that usually fuels your tracks?
Cities always fuel my tracks, being away from my computer. Going for a walk and looking at people doing all sorts of weird things is my favorite activity. Also, the sound of surroundings can inspire me a lot. I like to record the street/park ambience myself. When I start a new track, it’s always the first element that I add in.
By the way, the EP is actually Ocultismo’s second release. You must be proud to be one of the first artists on the label. Congrats! How did the opportunity and the connection with Shiffer come about?
That’s indeed a big honor! So, a couple of years ago, I sent some promo over to Shiffer. He liked it, and he tried to help me with opening some doors to other labels. When he decided to get his own label, he messaged me to ask if I wanted to join Ocultismo. With the vision he had for the label, it was an instant yes.
Besides him being the label head and a great producer, he is the loveliest guy out there. The only problem with him is that he supports the wrong red-shirted English football club!
Now, taking this one back to your origins…How did you first connect with electronic music? What was it that drove you to produce your own tracks?
Before I knew how to make music, I always had ideas in my head for a track, but of course, I had no idea how to work them out. After I learned how to produce, it was heaven for me. To this date, I still figure some tracks out in my head, sing some chords/basslines in my voice note app, and work it out. For example, “Psychotherapy” was made like this.
My origins are not really with electronic music but with rock music. I feel music should be emotional and passionate. Back in the days when I listened to a lot of rock music, I had a thing for Bring Me The Horizon. When you look at their discography, every release is a completely different genre, but the common thread is emotion and passion. The same goes for Post Malone.
Stepping outside of the studio…How do you envision the coming years for electronic dance music? Which new challenges do you see arising for artists?
I feel artistically we are in challenging times. With the 3-second attention span and people constantly needing impulses/drops, it’s a small area where artists can maneuver in. It has come to the point that I have lost my passion for going clubbing and finding new artists. You hardly see original artists anymore.
Actually, all the artists I used to like are going in that same direction. I always make the comparison with football players going to Saudi. I’m not the one to blame them for going for the money, but I don’t follow them anymore.
That aside, I think we are past the hill already. More and more artists speak out about the lack of a real audience. They prefer people in front of them who are open to new sounds/ideas instead of hearing the Beatport Top 100 hands-in-the-air music.
Last one, and we’ll set you free…What’s next for Convolute in 2025? What new milestones are you looking forward to now?
In a couple of months, there will be a full vinyl EP coming out. Currently, I’m finishing my first-ever unreleased live set, which I’m very stoked about. I will try to release this in late 2025.
Thank you for your time, Sander! We wish you the best of luck with Everyday In My Life. Catch you soon!
Thanks for having me; it was a pleasure!
Convolute’s Everyday In My Life EP is out now via Ocultismo. Purchase your copy here.