This week at the Kimkattiadome, DJ Katt presents another Saturday Night Retro Rundown with 90 minutes of pulsating 80s-infused synthwave and retrowave tunes.
Retrowave, also known as synthwave or vaporwave, is a subgenre of electronic music that emerged in the mid-to-late 2000s. It is characterized by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samples from 1980s films, television shows, and video games.
The genre's origins can be traced back to the early 2000s, when French house producers such as Kavinsky and College began experimenting with a retro-futuristic sound. These artists were inspired by the soundtracks of 1980s films such as "Drive" and "Blade Runner," as well as the video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."
In the late 2000s, retrowave began to gain popularity among a wider audience. This was due in part to the release of several influential albums, such as "Outrun" by Kavinsky and "Miami Nights 1984" by Com Truise. Retrowave also benefited from the rise of online music platforms, such as Soundcloud and Bandcamp, which made it easier for artists to share their music with a global audience.
Today, retrowave is a thriving genre with a large and dedicated following. Artists such as Gunship, The Midnight, and Perturbator continue to produce new music that captures the spirit of the 1980s. Retrowave has also been featured in popular films and television shows, such as "The Neon Demon" and "Stranger Things."
Here are some of the key events in the history of retrowave:
2002: The release of the video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" inspires a new generation of electronic musicians.
2007: The release of Kavinsky's album "Outrun" is a critical and commercial success.
2010: The release of Com Truise's album "Miami Nights 1984" further popularizes the genre.
2012: The launch of the online music platform Soundcloud helps retrowave reach a wider audience.
2014: The release of the film "Drive" features a retrowave soundtrack and helps to introduce the genre to a mainstream audience.
2016: The release of the television show "Stranger Things" features a retrowave soundtrack and helps to further popularize the genre.
Retrowave is a genre that is constantly evolving. New artists are constantly emerging, and the genre is incorporating influences from other genres, such as darkwave and vaporwave. It is an exciting time to be a fan of retrowave, and it will be interesting to see how the genre develops in the years to come.