KattattaK! S15E9 "Girls in Fast Cars"

 

Tonight at the Kimkattia Dome!

Girls in Fast Cars: The Synthwave Dream in Overdrive

Neon-lit highways, pulsing drum machines, and the unmistakable hum of a turbocharged engine—few images capture the essence of synthwave quite like girls in fast cars. A staple of the genre’s aesthetic, this concept isn’t just about speed; it’s a tribute to 80s futurism, independence, and cinematic cool.

From the moody soundscapes of The Midnight to the high-energy outrun anthems of Kavinsky, synthwave artists weave stories of fearless women behind the wheel, racing into the neon night. It’s a nod to cult classics like The Wraith (1986) and Miami Vice, where sleek machines and synth-heavy soundtracks fueled a generation’s obsession with rebellion and escape.

Lyrically and visually, these fast-driving femmes symbolize autonomy—unbound by time or convention. Whether it’s the cyberpunk noir of Gunship or the vaporwave-influenced aesthetics of artists like Dana Jean Phoenix, the image of a woman tearing down a midnight highway is both retro and futuristic, evoking a world where destiny is written in neon.

In synthwave, girls in fast cars aren’t just passengers; they’re icons of speed, style, and self-determination—burning rubber across an endless digital dreamscape.

New Club Group!

Make sure you join our new "KattattaK" (<--- click this link) group (previously Katta's Krew) to keep up to date with all the shenanigans at Kimkattia: 

How to play the Danish dice game Grådige or Greedy

How to play the Danish dice game Grådige or Greedy

Today I learned that the Second Life boardgame known as "Greedy" is not - as I assumed - just something invented for Second Life but is, in fact, based on a 'real life' game allegedly of Danish origin! Who knew?

The following is from hyggestyle.co.uk, a website devoted to living the Scandinavian lifestyle, so all credit to them for this information!

Greedy is a high-scoring game in which players roll dice for points. As well as being a fantastic after dinner game, it is also great for travel, pubs or holidays as you only need a few dice in your pocket, some paper and a pen (and it’s fabulous for kids who need to practice their math!). You roll 5 dice, move aside only the dice you want to use for points, then re-roll the remaining dice. As long as you keep scoring you can keep rolling (if you’re feeling lucky!); your points will accumulate as long as you keep rolling valid throws. You can stop at any point, but if none of the dice you roll score you lose your turn and any points you made during that turn. 

OBJECT: To get scoring dice on every roll, and to be the first player to get more than 10,000 points.

YOU WILL NEED: 5 dice, a shaker and pen and paper

GET STARTED: Each player must roll at least 400 points during one turn to get into the game. The player’s game-entry score and subsequent scores are added up below their name on a piece of paper.

PLAY:

The first player rolls five dice and decides which dice they want to use for scoring. If they don’t roll any 1s, 5s or other scoring combinations, their turn is over and they must pass the dice to the next player.

You don’t have to remove all the dice that count on your roll, only the ones you want to use for scoring.

If you roll no scoring dice, your turn is over and you lose all the points you rolled on that turn.

You may stop rolling at any time, take your points and pass the dice on.

Only 1s and 5s count by themselves. Other numbers can count as three-of-a-kind, straights or full houses – but not pairs; any of these combinations must be rolled in one go.

When one player reaches 10,000 points (or any final score you decide on), all other players get one more turn to try to beat them.

The highest score then wins the game; the more players you have the lower you might want to decide the winning score to be!

SCORING:

5s = 50 points each

1s = 100 points each

SCORING COMBINATIONS:

If a single 1 is rolled…………………..100

If two 1s are rolled…………………….200

If three 1s are rolled…………………1,000

If a single 5 is rolled……………………50

If two 5s are rolled…………………….100

If three 2s are rolled…………………..200

If three 3s are rolled…………………..300

If three 4s are rolled…………………..400

If three 5s are rolled…………………..500

If three 6s are rolled…………………..600

4 of a kind (must be in one roll) e.g. 4x2s = 1500 points

5 of a kind (must be in one roll) e.g. 5x2s = 2000 points

A straight (must be in one roll) (1,2,3,4,5 or 2,3,4,5,6) = 2000 points

A full house (must be in one roll) e.g. 3x4s & 2x5s = 2500 points

KATTATTAK! S15E8 BACK TO 1985

 This week at KattattaK! we are going back to 1985, a year that's poignant to DJ Katt and one that she says defines a lot of her musical tastes today. Why is that?

1985: The Year British Synthpop Morphed Into Something Else

By 1985, the golden age of British synthpop was both peaking and fraying at the edges. The sound that had once stormed the charts with icy futurism and neon-lit melancholy was evolving, mutating, and in some cases, disappearing into something more commercial, more eclectic—or simply more dated.

At the top of the pile, Tears for Fears delivered Songs from the Big Chair, a masterclass in big-budget, transatlantic synth-rock. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was everywhere—spacious, sleek, and a perfect marriage of Roland synths and radio-friendly ambition. Likewise, Depeche Mode toughened their edges with Some Great Reward, wrapping industrial clangs around anthems like "People Are People."

But it wasn’t all glossy triumphs. The Human League, who had defined synthpop’s early ‘80s blueprint, stumbled with Hysteria—a record that felt trapped between past innovation and future uncertainty. Meanwhile, Ultravox was running out of steam, and Heaven 17 softened their once-sharp social commentary into slicker, but less biting, grooves.

Elsewhere, new names were twisting the genre into fresher shapes. Pet Shop Boys crashed the scene with "West End Girls," bringing a detached, urbane cool that set the stage for synthpop’s next evolution. Scritti Politti, with Cupid & Psyche 85, married synths with funk and glossy American R&B, a move mirrored by Paul Hardcastle’s electro-jazz hybrid "19."

Synthpop wasn't dead in ‘85, but it was shifting. The raw minimalism of 1981 had been traded for polished, MTV-ready hits, while underground scenes were already plotting its next reinvention. The sound that once belonged to cold machines was now inescapable, for better or worse.

NO KATTATTAK THIS WEEK!

Please note that due to a RL-conflict, Katt will be unable to present KattattaK! this week, so the next KattattaK show will be on March 22nd.

The Timeless Beat: How the Roland TR-808 Shaped Synthwave and Retrowave

Few instruments have left as deep an imprint on electronic music as the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer. Originally released in 1980, the drum machine was initially overlooked due to its unrealistic drum sounds. However, its signature deep bass kicks, crisp snares, and futuristic hi-hats became a defining feature in hip-hop, dance, and eventually, the nostalgic worlds of synthwave and retrowave.

Synthwave and retrowave, both heavily inspired by 1980s aesthetics, owe much of their rhythmic backbone to the 808. The machine’s warm, analog drum sounds perfectly complement the genre’s lush synthesizers, cinematic atmospheres, and neon-drenched nostalgia. Songs like Kavinsky’s Nightcall and acts such as The Midnight and Timecop1983 prominently feature 808 beats, blending them seamlessly with shimmering pads and arpeggiated basslines.

What makes the TR-808 indispensable to the genre is its ability to capture a timeless yet distinctly retro-futuristic feel. The rolling toms and reverb-heavy snares create a sense of space reminiscent of classic ’80s movie soundtracks, while the machine’s sequencer allows for the steady, hypnotic rhythms that define synthwave’s driving pulse. Even modern producers who don’t use the original hardware rely on software emulations to capture its unmistakable sound.

From cyberpunk cityscapes to late-night highway drives, the 808’s influence echoes through the neon glow of today’s retrowave revival, proving that some beats never go out of style.

Otherworld by Jessie Frye, released 28 March 2025

KattattaK! S15E7 KattAurora playing the music of yesterday's future!

 Come along this Saturday evening, March 8th 2025, for another of DJ Katt's retrowave mix-tape sessions!

Jessie Frye: The Synthpop Queen You Should Be Listening To

Jessie Frye’s new album Otherworld drops March 28 which has Katt all kinds of excited. She loves this girl, and has been (often to the point of parody) promoting her music for a couple of years at every opportunity! So who the hell is Jessie Frye? You may well ask...

In a world where synth-driven pop often struggles to balance authenticity and nostalgia, Jessie Frye has carved out her own electrifying space. Hailing from Texas, Frye’s music seamlessly blends retro aesthetics with modern production, creating a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. With shimmering synths, anthemic hooks, and emotionally charged lyrics, she channels the spirit of ‘80s icons like Madonna and Pat Benatar while keeping her feet firmly planted in the present.  

Frye’s breakthrough came with Kiss Me In The Rain (2020), an album that radiates neon-lit energy and dreamy romanticism. Songs like “Faded Memory” (featuring synthwave heavyweight Timecop1983) exemplify her ability to craft infectious melodies that linger long after the music stops. Her vocals—equal parts sultry and soaring—add a layer of vulnerability that makes her music feel deeply personal.  

But Frye isn’t just a nostalgia act. She brings a modern edge to her sound, fusing synthwave’s cinematic qualities with pop’s accessibility. Tracks like “Angel” and “The One” pulse with danceable beats and cinematic crescendos, proving her ability to evolve beyond any single genre. Her songwriting is heartfelt, often exploring love, longing, and self-discovery—making her music a perfect soundtrack for late-night drives and introspective moments alike.  

Whether you’re a longtime fan of synthpop or just dipping your toes into the genre, Jessie Frye is an artist worth paying attention to. She’s not riding the retro wave—she’s shaping it. If you haven’t already, plug in your headphones, turn up the volume, and let her take you on a neon-drenched journey through sound.

https://www.jessiefrye.com/

[Experimental] KattattaK! Archives available on our stream!

[Experimental] KattattaK! Archives available on our stream! 

Are you ready to experience a nonstop sonic journey through the KattattaK! Archive? Broadcasting 24/7 exclusively at Kimkattia, this stream is your gateway to an eclectic mix of sounds, memories, and musical treasures. If you have ever missed a Saturday night's KattattaK! or want to relive some of the episodes going back several seasons, you're in luck.

We say [Experimental] as this is a testing phase to make sure hardware and software is able to do what Katt tells it to without whining like a spoiled child :) 

Episodes are being streamed in order, without their "preshow" segments.

KattattaK! S15E5

 

Join us again this Saturday at 6pm Second Life Time at the Kimkattia Dome, for another DJ Katt Mixtape Session featuring a the music of yesterday's future - the best in Synthwave, Retrowave and 80s remixes.

The Music of Yesterday’s Future: The Aesthetic and Cultural Significance of Synthwave and Retrowave

Introduction

Music has always served as a portal to different eras, both real and imagined. Among the many genres that have embraced nostalgia as a core element, few do so as vividly as synthwave and retrowave. These music genres are not merely artistic expressions but also cultural movements that encapsulate the vision of the future as it was imagined in the past. The concept of "The Music of Yesterday’s Future" speaks to how synthwave and retrowave use the sonic and visual aesthetics of the 1980s to create an evocative and immersive experience that blends nostalgia with futurism. This essay explores the origins, stylistic elements, cultural significance, and ongoing evolution of these genres.

The Origins of Synthwave and Retrowave

Synthwave and retrowave emerged in the early 2000s as an homage to the music, aesthetics, and futuristic visions of the 1980s. Artists such as Kavinsky, College, and Mitch Murder helped define the genre, drawing inspiration from the electronic scores of film composers like John Carpenter, Vangelis, and Tangerine Dream. The resurgence of 1980s culture in films, video games, and television further fueled the popularity of these genres. Movies such as Drive (2011) and TV shows like Stranger Things (2016) played a crucial role in introducing synthwave to a broader audience.

The term “retrowave” is often used interchangeably with synthwave, though some distinctions exist. While synthwave emphasizes the synthesized sounds and futuristic elements of 1980s culture, retrowave encompasses a broader spectrum, including Italo-disco, outrun, and vaporwave influences. Together, these styles represent a reimagining of an era where analog dreams met digital aspirations.

Stylistic and Aesthetic Elements

Synthwave and retrowave are defined by their distinct soundscapes and visual aesthetics, both of which are deeply rooted in 1980s futurism. Sonically, these genres rely on:

• Analog synthesizers and drum machines: Classic synthesizers such as the Roland Juno-106 and Yamaha DX7 provide the warm, analog tones characteristic of synthwave music.
• Driving basslines and arpeggiated melodies: Many tracks feature pulsating, repetitive basslines and sweeping melodies that create a sense of movement and cinematic grandeur.
• Reverberated snares and gated drums: These elements replicate the production techniques of 1980s pop and film scores, enhancing the genre’s nostalgic feel.
• Atmospheric textures and cybernetic themes: Many compositions incorporate ambient sounds, VHS-style distortions, and futuristic motifs to reinforce the aesthetic of a neon-lit cyberpunk cityscape.

Visually, the genre is marked by neon colors, grid-lined landscapes, retro-futuristic typography, and imagery inspired by 1980s science fiction and action films. Cover art, music videos, and promotional materials frequently evoke themes of high-speed car chases, neon-lit skylines, and digital dystopias.

The Cultural Significance of Yesterday’s Future

Synthwave and retrowave are more than nostalgic tributes; they represent a longing for a particular vision of the future—one that was imagined during the 1980s but never fully materialized. This imagined future, with its flying cars, cybernetic enhancements, and neon cityscapes, stands in stark contrast to the actual digital age, where sleek minimalism and corporate technology dominate.

This dissonance between past expectations and present realities fuels the appeal of synthwave. In an era marked by rapid technological change and an uncertain future, these genres offer a comforting escape into a world where the future felt tangible, thrilling, and full of possibilities. For many listeners, synthwave serves as both a form of escapism and a critique of modernity, highlighting the contrast between the optimism of past decades and contemporary anxieties about technology and society.

The Evolution and Future of Synthwave and Retrowave

While synthwave remains deeply rooted in nostalgia, it is not a static genre. Contemporary artists continue to experiment, blending synthwave elements with other genres such as metal, lo-fi, and industrial music. Subgenres such as darksynth, which incorporates heavier, more aggressive tones, and chillwave, which emphasizes ambient and relaxed soundscapes, have emerged as offshoots of the original movement.

Furthermore, the global nature of digital music distribution has allowed synthwave to thrive as an online phenomenon. Platforms like Bandcamp, YouTube, and streaming services have given independent artists unprecedented access to audiences worldwide. Live performances, once rare in the synthwave community, are becoming more common, with festivals and themed events dedicated to the genre.

As technology continues to evolve, the relationship between synthwave and its vision of the future will also shift. Whether the genre remains a nostalgic tribute or evolves into something that embraces new futuristic possibilities, it will continue to serve as a unique reflection of humanity’s ever-changing perception of the future.

Conclusion

Synthwave and retrowave encapsulate “The Music of Yesterday’s Future” by preserving and reinterpreting the aesthetics of a bygone era’s vision of tomorrow. Through their distinctive soundscapes and visuals, these genres provide a bridge between the past’s imagined future and the present’s complex reality. Whether serving as a form of escapism, artistic expression, or cultural commentary, synthwave and retrowave remind us of the optimism, excitement, and creativity that defined past visions of the future. In doing so, they not only pay homage to a lost era but also offer a way to reimagine and reconnect with the dreams of yesterday.Join us again this Saturday at 6pm Second Life Time at the Kimkattia Dome, for another DJ Katt Mixtape Session featuring a the music of yesterday's future - the best in Synthwave, Retrowave and 80s remixes.