Herkimer Throckmorton 
The History of Synthwave [EPUB ebook] 

Contents

1. Introduction to Synthwave

What is Synthwave?

Aesthetic and Influences

Purpose and Scope of the Book

2. The Roots of Synthwave

Electronic Music Pioneers

Jean-Michel Jarre and Early Synthesizers

Early Video Game Music

Influence of Video Games on Synthwave

Iconic ’80s Film Scores

Synthwave’s Connection to Movie Soundtracks

3. The ’80s Music Scene

Bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran

Musical Aesthetics

The Impact of New Wave and Synthpop

Quizzes and Trivia: Know Your Synthpop

Cultural Influence

Disco’s Influence on Synthwave

From Disco to Synthwave

Rise of Italo Disco

The Synthwave Connection

4. Emergence of Synthwave

Kavinsky and ’Nightcall’

Quiz: Delving into ’Nightcall’ – A Kavinsky Classic

A Roadmap for Synthwave

Electric Youth and ’A Real Hero’

A Fateful Connection

Synthwave’s Online Fandom

A Global Gathering

The Role of Independent Artists

5. Subgenres of Synthwave

Dark Synthwave

’80s Horror Film Inspirations

Artists like Perturbator and Carpenter Brut

Quiz: Dark Synthwave Icons

Perturbator: The Dark Synthwave Prodigy

Outrun: Embracing ’80s Car Culture

Visual Elements in Outrun Synthwave

Dreamwave: Emphasis on Dreamy and Ambient Sounds

Ethereal Soundscapes

6. The Global Spread of Synthwave

European Synthwave Scene

The French Touch

Synthwave in Asia

The Japanese Synthwave Connection

Asian Synthwave Collaborations

International Collaborations

Quiz: The Global Sound of Synthwave!

United by the Synth

Fusion with Local Music Styles

7. The Synthwave Renaissance

Synthwave in Movies and TV Shows

Commercial Use of Synthwave Tracks

The Rise of Synthwave Concerts

Notable Synthwave Festivals

8. Influential Synthwave Artists

Perturbator

The Midnight

Gunship

Gunship – The Band’s Blend of Music and Visuals

9. The Future of Synthwave

Evolving Sound and Style: Trends in Contemporary Synthwave

Fusion with Other Genres

Synthwave’s Enduring Impact

Synthwave in the 21st Century

10. Conclusion and Reflection

Summary of Synthwave’s Journey

Personal Stories and Testimonials

The Enduring Appeal of Synthwave

Glossary of Synthwave Terms

Discography of Key Synthwave Artists

Resources for Further Exploration

Synthwave Trivia Mega Quiz

Herkimer Throckmorton is a Canadian journalist, author, and synthwave enthusiast. He is best known for his book ’The History of Synthwave’, which explores the origins, evolution, and impact of the retro-futuristic music genre. He is also the host of ’Synthwave Hour’, a popular radio show that features interviews, reviews, and playlists of synthwave artists.Throckmorton started his career as a reporter, covering topics such as politics, culture, and technology. He developed a passion for synthwave, a genre of electronic music that draws inspiration from ’80s pop culture, sci-fi, and video games. He became fascinated by the history and aesthetics of synthwave, and decided to write a book about it.Throckmorton published ’The History of Synthwave’ in 2023, which became a bestseller and received rave reviews from critics and readers. The book traces the origins of synthwave from its predecessors such as synth-pop, new wave, and italo-disco, to its emergence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, to its global spread and mainstream recognition in the 2020s. The book also delves into the subgenres of synthwave, such as outrun, dark synthwave, and dreamwave, and the influence of iconic artists such as Perturbator, The Midnight, and Gunship. The book also includes quizzes that test the readers’ synthwave knowledge, making it a fun and informative read for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.Throckmorton is regarded as one of the leading experts and advocates of synthwave. He has written articles and essays on synthwave for various publications, such as Vice, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. He has also given talks and lectures on synthwave at various venues, such as universities, festivals, and conventions. He has also received awards and recognition for his work, such as the Canadian Music Journalist Award, the Synthwave Book of the Year Award, and the Synthwave Hall of Fame Award.Throckmorton lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with his cat and his collection of vintage synthesizers. He enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and listening to music. He is currently working on his second book, ’The Future of Synthwave’, which will explore the trends and innovations of synthwave in the 21st century.Throckmorton has also written books on other topics, such as humor, synthesizers, and publishing. His first book, ’The History of Humor Volume 1: 1990 to 2020’, was published in 2023 and covers the comedy scene in the last three decades. His second book, ’The History of Casio Synthesizers: Powerful and Affordable like Never Before’, was published in 2024 and chronicles the history and evolution of the Japanese company that revolutionized the synthesizer market and how its products influenced the music industry and culture. His third book, ’Creative Exploitation: The Unethical Practices of Austin Macauley Publishing, Dorrance Publishers, and other Vanity Presses’, was also published in 2024 and exposes the scams and frauds of some of the most notorious vanity presses in the publishing industry. The book reveals the deceptive tactics, false promises, and hidden fees that these companies use to lure and exploit aspiring authors. The book also provides advice and resources for authors who want to avoid these traps and publish their books ethically and professionally.Throckmorton is working on a book on the history of software for Macintosh and Mac OS, titled ’Mac Magic: A Wild Ride Through the Evolution of Software for Macintosh and Mac OS’, which is expected to be released in 2024.