CATS.R.qL.
From the print studio to the dancefloor.
Elli and Christoph on CATS.R.qL, the beginnings of DECIBELLES and a shared night with Bratislava’s IGNIX.
In conversation with Elli & Christoph · CATS.R.qL
First came the screen-printed shirts, then an online shop and merchandise stalls in clubs. With DECIBELLES, Elli and Christoph went on to organise nights of their own. For the pair, CATS.R.qL brings together screen printing, music and direct support for independent artists.
For RITUAL 404 on 24 October 2026, DECIBELLES are working with Bratislava’s IGNIX. In this email conversation, Elli and Christoph explain how the project grew, why an artist’s identity should remain intact in their merchandise, and what they hope to build between Vienna and Bratislava. The answers have been lightly edited and translated from German.
It started with a shirt.
How did you both become involved in CATS.R.qL, and how does the project connect with DECIBELLES today? Who brings which ideas to the table, from a T-shirt design to a club night?
CATS.R.qL grew out of a desire to give artists from the Freetekno scene more support and visibility. The project is run by its founder, Elli, and her husband, Christoph.
Christoph: I perform as Phat Otiz in the European Tekno scene, which has allowed me to build good connections with other artists. Elli not only introduced me to the scene, but also regularly came along with me, especially at the beginning.
At many parties, and particularly at Teknivals in summer, you see sound systems selling merchandise to cover the costs of their events. When Elli discovered screen printing through a friend, we were really motivated. The first merchandise shirts were made for me. We then extended the idea to other artists. After some testing and experimentation, the first T-shirts were already of a very high quality. We also realised there was a strong demand within the scene. That is how the online shop came about.
The ideas for the graphics usually come from the artists themselves. Many already have their own artwork, which we then use for the merchandise. Where necessary, Elli adapts it so that it can be transferred cleanly onto the garment using screen printing.
Once the online shop was up and running, we also began selling our merchandise at club events. From there, it was only a small step to the idea of organising events ourselves. That is how DECIBELLES began.
Artists who are perceived as women often face particular barriers in the Tekno scene, so we wanted to create an event that puts them in the spotlight. We therefore always aim to make them the majority of the line-up.
Vienna meets Bratislava.
For RITUAL 404, DECIBELLES are joining forces with Bratislava’s IGNIX. How did you meet, and when did that connection become the idea for a shared night? What immediately felt right about working together?
Some of the people in IGNIX were previously known in Bratislava as Skarabeats, and Phat Otiz was booked for their events a few times.
We got on very well with them. We also felt there was often too little exchange between the two cities, despite how close they are geographically. So we decided to organise this edition of our event together with IGNIX.
Because the members of IGNIX come from the same or a similar scene, it is easy for us to agree on a shared concept. We noticed that while planning this party, too.
That is how we connect music, art and clothing.
Two floors, two moods.
The programme brings together Tekno, Techno and Acid. How do you turn that into a coherent night? What different moods do you want to create on 24 October?
As Das Werk has two floors, it makes sense to cover two different moods. We try to keep one floor funky and fast, with the other a little darker and harder. That leaves room for creative line-ups and different Techno subgenres.
On 24 October, we want to show precisely those strengths. The main floor will be fast, funky and playful, while the second floor will be a little harder, more dystopian and darker.
Wearing your own aesthetic.
Your website brings together art, music and merchandise. How does a musical collaboration become a design that someone wants to wear? How much comes from the artists, and what do you develop together?
The ideas for our designs usually come directly from the artists themselves. Many already have their own graphics or specific ideas, which we develop together for printing on textiles. Elli adapts the graphics so they can be transferred cleanly onto the garment using screen printing.
It is important to us to preserve the artists’ creative identity and give them a way to express their own aesthetic through merchandise, too. We do not want to simply hand them a finished design. We want to create something together that they identify with and that reflects their music and style.
That is how we connect music, art and clothing, giving artists another way to make their work visible and reach people beyond the dancefloor.
We also want to support independent artists directly: a share of the proceeds from every item sold goes to the respective artist. Developing logos and designs entirely from scratch is also possible. Christoph designed the graphics for the Phat Otiz merchandise himself.
Keeping the connection alive.
What would you like to take away from the collaboration between Vienna and Bratislava once RITUAL 404 is over? What would you like to try together in the future?
We hope that both we and our guests have a really fun, enjoyable evening. That is always the first goal.
We would also love to bring a little piece of Vienna to Bratislava in the future. So far, DECIBELLES has always taken place in Vienna, but we would be happy to put on parties with other collectives in Bratislava or other European cities, too.
More generally, it would be great if the party scenes in both cities and countries grew closer. We are sure that a lot of good can and will come from that.
CATS.R.qL
Interview by email · Editorial and image art direction: SCENE:ID. CATS.R.qL · SCENE:ID art direction · CATS.R.qL · Artwork: Foatwenti3 · SCENE:ID art direction · Matthias Feldmann · SCENE:ID art direction