Beyond Synth - 441 - Jess Blaise Ward Author of "Making Synthwave"

In this exciting Season Finale, the Beyond Synth Family finally finish the Billboard 1999 series. AND they listen to a ton of awesome music along the way! Happy Holidays! If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth Don’t Forget to Check out ALL the artists featured on the show: Sung - “Valse Noire” https://soundcloud.com/sung_music http://sung-music.bandcamp.com/ XIII Nights - “Straight Up” https://xiiinights.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OAbbYcEvP7ZlFxFMYziK3 Glitbiter - “Bury the Sky” https://soundcloud.com/glitbiter https://glitbiter.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6aUb5Zujn6ZsAuzuxepUsv Neon Vice 83 - “Blooming” https://soundcloud.com/neonvice83music https://neonvice83.bandcamp.com/album/blooming Otrebor - “Infinity Gate” https://soundcloud.com/otrebor_12 https://otrebor12.bandcamp.com/ Color Theory - “Where Tigers Are Said to Roam” https://soundcloud.com/colortheory https://colortheory.bandcamp.com/ Natcho_WAV - “3 AM” https://soundcloud.com/natcho_wav-301988075 https://natchowav.bandcamp.com/music https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lZnGEj1ucDJNnsFeqU2k7 Edictum - “Laser Diffraction” https://soundcloud.com/simon-24-1 https://edictum.bandcamp.com/releases https://open.spotify.com/artist/11e1I6BUAcdUOAf7AJUXWd KNIGHTS - “SUPERNATURAL LOVER” https://soundcloud.com/knights101 https://knights101.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/07xFYhAkgObJY8VBkIy1O4 MN84 - “Goosebumps” https://soundcloud.com/miami-nights-1984 https://miaminights1984.bandcamp.com/album/gunblaze-assault https://open.spotify.com/artist/18iQQOuyGlHunPVzmoLY20 Lazerhawk - “Haunted Highway” https://soundcloud.com/lazerhawk http://lazerhawk.bandcamp.com/ Vogon Poetry & SCALA - “Come Home Again” https://soundcloud.com/vogonpoetrymusic https://vogonpoetrymusic.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3KN97dTu2joXqZOrDCmRVp SCALA: https://scalamusik.bandcamp.com/ Johnatron - “F1” https://soundcloud.com/johnatron https://johnatron.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0fcTxZvZ6NBUI8Cye4Db8k Echo Wolf & Lyst - “Vapor Trails” https://soundcloud.com/echowolfmusic https://echowolf.bandcamp.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/60ZQkaf0EkOhPZOKlwYv5s Lyst: https://lystmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2P8SY4USMzQn1mOmaJX9WS Seth Duncan & Mayah Camara - “Wings” https://soundcloud.com/sethduncanmusic https://sethduncanmusic.bandcamp.com/ Mayah Camara: https://soundcloud.com/mayahcamara https://mayahcamara.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nwKlidWpjuPqmqdwvjyk6 Caspro & LukHash - “Moments” https://soundcloud.com/caspromusic https://caspromusic.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jtjyIKx9XY1wuIc5UKwSp LukHash: https://soundcloud.com/lukhash https://lukhash.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hvgLXeDFNiqDOVXl0xTge Bloody Chrome - “Filthy Streets” https://bloodychrome.bandcamp.com BRYT - “Systemfel” https://projektbryt.bandcamp.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/1lgNnNPDtzcOu15U7e1038 Out Runner - “Stellar Drifter” https://out-runner.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QstF3bI4Hk8PkQHRehY8v

Will Bush passed away December 24th 2025. Today on the show we look back at the time that Immortal Girlfriend were on the show back in 2020. Will was a good guy and he will be missed. You can check out IMMORTAL GIRLFRIEND here: https://soundcloud.com/immortalgirlfriend https://immortalgirlfriend.bandcamp.com/releases https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BRdjtA6y3mQYgGgqNFydC https://www.instagram.com/immortal_girlfriend/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8mn7zABKaA5rt_3Qt40JAQ https://www.facebook.com/Immortalgirlfriend/ Today’s Playlist: Immortal Girlfriend - “Calling” Immortal Girlfriend - “Overcome the Night” Immortal Girlfriend - “Moon (Runner)” Immortal Girlfriend - “Celestials” Immortal Girlfriend - “In Motion” Immortal Girlfriend - “RIDE” Immortal Girlfriend - “Phantasm” Immortal Girlfriend - “Moment”

Today on the show we dive deeper into the world of Starcadian with Rob O’Neill, a cool guy who is also the co-director of some of the Starcadian videos and the steward of Starcadian’s future. Rob talks about how he met George, the making of the Freak Night video, the mysterious Starcadian Codex, and much more! Plus, Rob has picked out some of his favourite Starcadian tracks for us to listen to while we remember the immense talent that was Starcadian and what will happen with his unreleased works in the future… If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth You can check out STARCADIAN here: https://soundcloud.com/starcadian https://starcadian.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3I0ceM8qfqhCKGepaswmVg https://www.instagram.com/starcadian/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQwragNeTJ-JhCg-SBHhQQ?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.facebook.com/starcadianofficial You can check out Rob O’Neill here: https://www.roboneill.com/ https://vimeo.com/roboneill https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1678475/ https://bsky.app/profile/roboneill.bsky.social https://instagram.com/rob.oneill/ Today’s Playlist: Starcadian - “HE^RT (Album Mix)” Starcadian - “Freak Night” Starcadian - “Chinatown” Starcadian - “Interspace” Starcadian - “Propaganda” Starcadian - “It Ends Now (Pompey Pirate Theme)”

Today on the show Andy chats with Jess Blaise Ward, author of the book “Making Synthwave: How an Online Music Community Invented a Genre”. Jess talks about her musical upbringing, writing her PHD, and the process of putting the book together. Jess was also in charge of the playlist and picked some of her favourite tracks! If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth You can check out Jess Blaise Ward and the Book here: https://www.routledge.com/Making-Synthwave-How-an-Online-Music-Community-Invented-a-Genre/BlaiseWard/p/book/9781032732039 https://jessicablaiseward.wixsite.com/blaiserunner https://www.instagram.com/blaisejess https://open.spotify.com/artist/6b3Mo22D2dZ3mdh62FvOnl Don’t Forget to Check out ALL the artists featured on the show: Jessie Frye & Ollie Wride - Malibu Broken https://soundcloud.com/jessiefrye https://www.instagram.com/jessiefryemusic/ https://www.youtube.com/user/jfryemusic?feature=watch https://www.facebook.com/jessiefryeband https://bsky.app/profile/jessiefrye.bsky.social Ollie Wride: https://soundcloud.com/olliewride https://open.spotify.com/artist/1anhHn744LbctzF9EHpvea?si=V8BuzwZvTyy19rdaWGDXYg https://www.instagram.com/olliewride/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDTKs4N0RW8&feature=youtu.be Dana Jean Phoenix - “Synth City” (prod Till Wild) https://soundcloud.com/dana-jean-phoenix https://danajeanphoenix.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/danajeanphoenix/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0XXvmAHHzCFNx5p2-HaqGA https://www.facebook.com/danajeanphoenix Till Wild: https://soundcloud.com/tillwild https://tillwild.bandcamp.com/track/on-a-summer-night https://www.instagram.com/tillwild/ Jess Blaise Ward - “Resistance Song” https://open.spotify.com/artist/6b3Mo22D2dZ3mdh62FvOnl https://www.routledge.com/Making-Synthwave-How-an-Online-Music-Community-Invented-a-Genre/BlaiseWard/p/book/9781032732039 https://jessicablaiseward.wixsite.com/blaiserunner https://www.instagram.com/blaisejess Rose Thaler - “Under The Sea” https://soundcloud.com/rosethalermusic https://rosethaler.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rosethalermusic/ https://www.facebook.com/RoseThalerMusic https://www.youtube.com/rosethaler Gunship - “Fly For Your Life” https://soundcloud.com/gunshipmusic https://gunshipmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PALZKWkpwjRvBsRmhlVSS https://www.instagram.com/gunshipmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/GUNSHIPMusic Timecop1983 - “Back to You (feat. The Bad Dreamers)” https://soundcloud.com/timecop1983 https://timecop1983.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/iamtimecop1983/ https://www.facebook.com/timecop1983 The Bad Dreamers: https://soundcloud.com/thebaddreamers https://thebaddreamers.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebaddreamers/ https://www.facebook.com/thebaddreamersmusic Bunny X - “Daydreaming” https://soundcloud.com/bunny-x https://bunnyx.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Jm30qu7cd4QfXkJSoYL6y https://www.instagram.com/bunny_xmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/bunnyXmusic/ https://bsky.app/profile/bunnyxofficial.bsky.social Aeronexus - “Debris Disc” https://soundcloud.com/theaeronexus https://aeronexus.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.instagram.com/theaeronexus/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSoiBy0Pr_1wRcTNnv1BKDw https://www.facebook.com/TheAeronexus/

Today Andy catches up with old friend of the show Droid Bishop! James chats about his album Cinema and his 2025 singles, but for the most part, they just talk about AI for the whole show. If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth You can Check out DROID BISHOP here: https://soundcloud.com/droidbishop http://droidbishop.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HPVHsbV2yIYPp2Pk4kdHe https://www.instagram.com/droidbishop/ https://www.facebook.com/DroidBishop Today’s Tracklist: Droid Bishop - “The Hero Within” Droid Bishop - “Renegade” Droid Bishop - “In The City of Angels” Droid Bishop - “Return of the Gemini” Droid Bishop - “Vice” Droid Bishop - “Frontiers” Droid Bishop - “Man Machine” Droid Bishop - “Feature Presentation”

It IS Halloween! This spooky season Andy chats with Killer Klowns movie composer John Massari! John talks about adapting the Klowns score to a live to film concert, music education in the 70s, and his love for vintage synthesizers. John has some juicy behind the scenes stories while working on the music for B-movies like the Snake Eater Trilogy, Retro Puppet Master and Kickboxer 5. They also chat about how music production has changed over the years, scoring mobisodes, and being a kid on Halloween during the Cuban missile crisis. And to keep things Halloweeny, Andy is joined by Mike Mendoza to, sort of, talk about Halloween stuff. If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth You can Check out JOHN MASSARI here: https://soundcloud.com/johnmassari https://www.instagram.com/john.massari/ https://www.youtube.com/c/johnmassari https://www.facebook.com/kkfosmusicsoundtrack/ https://linktr.ee/johnmassari Don’t Forget to Check out ALL the artists featured on the show: Hollywood Burns - “Scherzo No. 5 in Death Minor” https://soundcloud.com/hollywoodburn https://blood-music.bandcamp.com/album/invaders https://open.spotify.com/artist/0m8rUYGZIXTo8knUYP7uB9 Arcade High - “Splatter” https://soundcloud.com/arcade-high http://arcadehigh.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fVPo8qWQK1quywHw9kMdI Dream Invaders - “House By The Cemetery” https://soundcloud.com/dreaminvaders https://dreaminvaders.bandcamp.com/releases https://open.spotify.com/artist/3onTvEvpTe24h7UBh0Tlhp Johnatron - “Patch of the Living Dead” https://soundcloud.com/johnatron https://johnatron.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnatron3000/ Mr Creep - “CRAVEN” https://soundcloud.com/mr_creep http://mrcreep1981.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mrcreep_original/ DRUMxWAVE - “Looks That Kill (feat. Justin Klunk)” https://drumxwave.bandcamp.com/ https://www.retrosynthrecords.com/artists/drumxwave/ https://soundcloud.com/drumxwave Justin Klunk: https://justinklunk.bandcamp.com/album/kindness-is-mandatory https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinKlunk https://www.instagram.com/klunkfunk/ Neon Shards - “Unforeseen Revelations” https://neonshards.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@neonshardsmusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NbDjJ25vyHIa5x0o6ROFG Pfeffermouse - “Phantomware” https://soundcloud.com/pfeffermouse https://pfeffermouse.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q9UujPcQ1fPaj6xnNI28q Flashback - “Cleveland Vampire” https://1984flashbackmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/1984flashbackmusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/4adJnzKfPgiiCN3k9Oz5bI Terrordyne - “Last Rites” https://terrordyne.bandcamp.com/album/the-seventh-seal https://www.instagram.com/terrordyne/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6P5GUtpISiShk3WnsCrABy They Speak in Tongues of Black Fire - “Shadows Over Eden” https://tonguesofblackfire.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@tonguesofblackfire https://open.spotify.com/artist/4U0FZqW2JKM0IVNid5RiQW Stealth Mode - “Reaper of Souls” https://soundcloud.com/stealthmode1983 https://stealthmode.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.instagram.com/stealthmode.83/ Mission 87 - “Halloween in Miami” https://mission87.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/mission87 https://open.spotify.com/artist/722kuNJQVNxt7N8N27FgMW The Glitzy Groovebots - “BCAAndroids” https://theglitzygroovebots.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/glitzygroovebots/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mZV5rSkyPXe3eGC3arIPc DAV - “Highriser” https://davsynth.bandcamp.com/album/logic-machine https://www.instagram.com/dizavin/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hGwiWUQIzI2TLVgraJWsU Who Ha - “Halloween” https://soundcloud.com/modernknightly https://modernknight.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/modernknightly/

Today on the show Andy chats with the very talented Pat, Nick and Aaron from The Motion Epic! We track the band from Pat’s nomadic musical adventures to Nick and Aaron joining up and forming the trio they are today. Nick teaches us the correct pronunciation of Kalimocho, Aaron has crazy allergies, and Pat travels all over the place writing songs wherever he goes. They also chat about their musical influences, and how they collaborate while living far away from each other. If you like weighted keyboards and James Bond, this one’s for you! If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth Check out THE MOTION EPIC HERE: https://soundcloud.com/themotionepic https://open.spotify.com/artist/2maV9w4OlFpfWlMX3URDuN https://sofakingvinyl.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-revamped-edition https://www.instagram.com/themotionepic/ https://www.facebook.com/themotionepic/ https://themotionepic.bandcamp.com/ Kalimocho: https://www.instagram.com/kalimocho_music/ https://kalimocho.bandcamp.com/track/inside-outside Mister The Kid: https://www.instagram.com/misterthekidmusic/ https://misterthekid.bandcamp.com/ Today’s Tracklist: The Motion Epic - “Bad Behavior” The Motion Epic - “Temporary Lovers” The Motion Epic - “Lonely Lovers” The Motion Epic - “Piers and Souvenirs” The Motion Epic - “You’re Not Ready” The Motion Epic - “Fell in Love in America” The Motion Epic - “Back in Time” The Motion Epic - “Heartbreakers” The Motion Epic - “Stay With Me”

Today on Beyond Synth we say goodbye to “My Favourite Game” and Hello to Miami Nights 1984 who wants to talk all about Chrono Trigger for the SNES. We also chat about Tetra Paks, Donkey Kong, 90’s kids TV, and Michael’s custom Metal Gear cycling jersey. The blessed listener then get’s a taste of Miami Nights newest album Cosmopolis, as well as Gunblaze Assault and a sprinkling of Sentimental. If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth Check out MIAMI NIGHTS 1984 here: https://soundcloud.com/miami-nights-1984 https://miaminights1984.bandcamp.com/album/gunblaze-assault http://rossocorsarecords.com/ https://soundcloud.com/actrazer https://open.spotify.com/artist/18iQQOuyGlHunPVzmoLY20 Today’s Tracklist: Miami Nights 1984 - “Assault” Miami Nights 1984 - “Aerial Combat” Miami Nights 1984 - “Fire It Up” Miami Nights 1984 - “Sentimental” Miami Nights 1984 - “Skylines” Miami Nights 1984 - “Golden Hour” Miami Nights 1984 - “Dividends” Diamond Cafe - “The Way You Used To Love Me (Miami Nights 1984 Remix)”

Today Andy is joined by The Dream Eaters a.k.a. Jake and Elizabeth! The duo talk about how they met and the evolution of the Dream Eaters from their indie and shoegaze origins to the comedic synthpop style of their newer music. They chat about Gowanis, satan, and cats! But most importantly, we learn about the mysterious Steve! If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth You can check out THE DREAM EATERS here: https://soundcloud.com/dreameatersband https://thedreameaters.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/58EGECKV4drTQ3m7SFJNYf https://www.instagram.com/wearethedreameaters https://www.tiktok.com/@thedreameaters https://www.youtube.com/@wearethedreameaters https://www.facebook.com/dreameatingfreakshow Today’s Playlist: The Dream Eaters - “satan is lord” The Dream Eaters - “Tongue” The Dream Eaters - “gimme some ass” The Dream Eaters - “Mood Pills” The Dream Eaters - “we’re fucked” The Dream Eaters - “Subhuman” The Dream Eaters - “tiny grass is dreaming” The Dream Eaters - “3D Printer” The Dream Eaters - “dream eater’s theme” The Dream Eaters - “CRUCIFXXX” The Dream Eaters - “get the hell out of my house”

The Beyond Synth Family has reconvened to finish talking about the billboard #1 hits of the 90s. This episode, Andy, Mike, Marko and Florence listen to the hits of 1998! Will Andy dislike it just like all the other 90s billboard hits or has he softened over the past few weeks? Will Mike give everything a 5? Will Florence ever be able to purchase Florence.com? And WHO is the mysterious Marko Maric? Find out today on Beyond Synth as we talk about 90s junk and listen to awesome synth-wave tunes! If you like what you’re hearing you can support Beyond Synth on Patreon: www.patreon.com/beyondsynth or PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/beyondsynth Don’t Forget to Check out ALL the artists featured on the show: BMX Escape - “Life Next To You Featuring BY FOREVER” https://soundcloud.com/bmxescape https://bmxescape.bandcamp.com/releases https://open.spotify.com/artist/61mr1LdQ9dt0T9XKQbQaDg BY FOREVER: https://soundcloud.com/byforever https://byforever.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/byforeverofficial/ Gridluster - “D.A.T.A.” https://gridluster.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gridlustermusic/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vIC7jAkcNX2KtPcl14qrg They / Live - “Circles (Korine Remix)” https://bornlosersrecords.bandcamp.com/album/nature-structure https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XCp2Gx3vkTsKX8fpehHuk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjb-fMED1Q Korine: https://soundcloud.com/korineband https://korine.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/korineband/ Hoffman Cruise - “Moonborn” https://soundcloud.com/hoffmancruise http://hoffmancruise.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/hoffmancruisemusic/ DRUMxWAVE - “Stars (feat. The Bad Dreamers)” https://drumxwave.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@drumxwave https://soundcloud.com/drumxwave The Bad Dreamers: https://soundcloud.com/thebaddreamers https://thebaddreamers.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebaddreamers/ Fungitron2000 - “Neon Moon feat. gpds” https://www.instagram.com/fungitron2000/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KB3pHja3Yqn9f4zPCg3jq gpds: https://soundcloud.com/de-santis https://www.instagram.com/gpds.music/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0TGmtumJBxJpMWBwdeKUDE FM STRANGER - “Summer Love” https://fmstranger.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/fmstrangermusic https://www.youtube.com/@FMSTRANGER78 Power Rob & Night Rider 87 - “In the Desert” https://soundcloud.com/powerrob https://powerrob.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SpH3FhBvwzfiCQNk8B10Q Night Rider 87: https://soundcloud.com/nightrider87 https://nightrider87.bandcamp.com/track/fever-machine https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VAER4DIsFQnc5plsXy1X4 StarDawn - “Jupiter” https://soundcloud.com/stardawnmusic https://stardawn.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7CJGTM0ulR7613jW25msfr https://www.youtube.com/@StarDawnMusic Sunset Wave - “Like Yesterday” https://soundcloud.com/sunsetwavemusic https://sunsetwave.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sunsetwave_music/ https://www.youtube.com/@sunsetwavemusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/6jE7mb0g4QbRvpmfGDzjAY Pashang 爬上 - “Descent” https://soundcloud.com/pashang_audio https://pashang.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pashang_audio/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/1fbGCSTKpzcka1HwrMOj2p https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqZonPcjkM4rIOEzq9xBJw Ray Gun Hero - “Transcending Skyscrapers” https://soundcloud.com/user-408234319 https://raygunhero.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/75QDtvSbmuKHyb0GXCiUZh Syntronix & Dualarity - “Dancing In The Fire With You” https://syntronix.bandcamp.com/music https://open.spotify.com/album/09Svt0jjBJZ4iLBGNONMzp https://www.instagram.com/syntronix_official/?hl=en Dualarity: https://soundcloud.com/dualarity-official https://dualarity.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Y1B4LenLqGtsBgP92Jbxy Night Fighter - “Alpha” https://soundcloud.com/nightfightersynth https://nightfightersynth.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.instagram.com/nightfightersynth/