ARTIST INFORMATION
The music you are hearing on this memorial page was provided by a number of independent electronic musicians from around the world, in the hopes that it will help with the healing after this tragedy. Many of these artists, in addition to being musical collaborators, are also good friends of mine. Please check these musicians out, visit their websites, and purchase their music if you like it.
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Empire State Human - "Hand on the Gun" |
Aidan Casserly fronts Empire State Human, a three-man trio from Dublin, Ireland, who do synthpop with a lot of electronic influences, ranging from Pet Shop Boys, to new age electronic artists such as Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre. The trademark of the ESH sound is Aidan's high-tenor vocals, which are comparable to Marc Almond from Soft Cell. ESH have been among the most prolific bands in the scene, having recorded no less than 4 albums and amassed numerous compilation appearances. In addition to his ESH work, Aidan Casserly is also part of the electronica project The Garland Cult, and a solo project known as Figaro. The
song featured here, "Hand on the Gun", is perhaps the
signature ESH song, with good lyrics, and a strong message of
nonviolence. It features on the ESH greatest hits compilation,
"Popularity?" |
Album: POPULARITY? (2007) Digital
download:
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Synthetik FM (featuring Eloquent) - "My Happiness" |
A synthpop project from Knoxville, Tennessee, started by Bobby Clark (also the originator of this memorial website, and an attendee at TVUUC). Synthetik FM merges the electronic talents of Bobby Clark with the vocal talents of guest vocalists from around the Synthpop Universe. The debut album has been digitally released through Ninthwave Records on Amazon and iTunes, and features internet collaborations with NukleoN, Ganymede, and Empire State Human, and many other artists from around the world. "My
Happiness" is a collaboration with Steven Cochran, aka Eloquent. |
Album: E=MC˛ (2007) Digital
download: |
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NukleoN - "Sometimes" |
Dan Burke is the brainchild behind this project which garnered a huge underground following. The NukleoN formula is electronic synthpop and EBM-flavoured music, mixed with emotive vocals which recall Morrissey, or Marion Gold from Alphaville. Truly one of the most talented voices in the genre. NukleoN has collaborated with Synthetik FM musically in the past, and here offers the song "Sometimes", a song about death and loss. Location:
Los Angeles, California
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Album: EARTH RISING (2003)
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Seven Words - "So Sweet the Promise" |
This is simply unique music. Paul Adams takes experimental synthpop to a new level, with interesting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, tackling issues including global warming and animal cruelty. This is among the best songwriting in the genre. Sadly, Paul has not been musically active since the demise of his label, Hand Held Halo Productions. The song offered here, "So Sweet The Promise", deals with the issue of suicide, and is about an elderly man in a nursing home whose wife has died, and who no longer wishes to live without her.
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Album: FALL FROM GRACE (2002) Out of print |
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Wave in Head - "The Other Side" |
Michael Pohl is the brainchild behind this one-man project from Germany. This is among the most polished and detailed synthpop production in the scene, everything just shines. The vocal style recalls Depeche Mode or Camouflage, and the styles range from downtempo ballads to flat-out danceclub music. An appearance on the Ninthwave compilation "Electricity" led to a signing by A Different Drum and the production of the debut album "Time to Speak" in 2001. Michael recently released his third album "For a Special Moment" in 2005. "The
Other Side" features from his second album "You", and
deals with the age-old question of what happens to us after we die. |
Album: YOU (2002)
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Ganymede - "Far Across the Stars" |
David Friede and Patrick Runkle make up this talented synthpop duo from the northeastern USA. Their music has a lot of early 80's new wave analog influences, yet also has a modern sound. Ganymede were nominated for just about every award category in the 2002 American Synthpop Association awards at the 2002 SynthCon. After the release of their first two albums on Ninthwave Records, Patrick and Dave formed their own synthpop label, Cohaagen, and have gone on to even greater acclaim with the release of their third album "Space and Time", which has currently sold out of its CD pressing, and is available now only as a digital download. David Friede is also musically active as the EBM influenced techno vigilante Fr/action. "Far
Across the Stars" is a downtempo ballad about loss, which features
on their latest album "Operation Ganymede" |
Album: OPERATION GANYMEDE (2008)
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I Satellite - "Out of Space" |
Rod MacQuarrie is the brains behind this Michigan project which does early 80's-inspired analog synthpop with infectious melodies. I Satellite's mode of operation includes a heavy reliance on vintage analog synths and drum machines, and it shows in the music. A couple of compilation appearances with the Plastiq Musiq label led to the recording of the debut CD "AUTO:MATIC". Highly recommended for fans of The Human League (Dare era) and John Foxx. "Out
of Space" is the closing ballad track from the debut I Satellite
album. |
Album: AUTO:MATIC (2003)
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Haberdashery - "Patience Waiting" |
Stephen Pearlman is the amazing talent behind Haberdashery. His musical style is inspired by Erasure, with a taste for intricate melodies and heartfelt ballads. His talents have garnered a lot of notice in Erasure fandom. "Patience Waiting" features on the latest Haberdashery release "Aletheia" Location:
Chicago, Illinois |
Album: ALETHEIA (2008)
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davidmahr - "Days After Night" |
davidmahr is a very talented synthpop vocalist from the famous Castro Street district of San Francisco, and a longtime presence in the underground synthpop scene. His major influences vocally and electronically are bands such as Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, and Yazoo. His vocals are very emotional, and his music is catchy, yet at times very bittersweet. In addition to his solo project, davidmahr also teamed up with former Avantgarde keyboardist Lars Wallden to form the project Agency-X. The song "Days After Night" is a ballad from the album "Lost and Found" Location:
San Francisco, California |
Album: LOST AND FOUND (1999)
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Color Theory - "Fade So Fast" |
A one-man project made up of Brian Hazard, a very talented vocalist and musician. He takes the synthpop style, and blends in some very emotional and romantic elements. He is probably one of the best songwriters in the genre. In fact, the Color Theory song "Ponytail Girl" was even mistaken for a Depeche Mode Exciter unreleased track and appeared on a Depeche Mode bootleg CD which has been fileshared! "Fade
So Fast" is from his 2001 album "Life's Fairytale" |
Album: LIFE'S FAIRYTALE (2001)
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Hypersoul - "All Fall Down" |
Garrett Cullen is the talent behind Hypersoul, an electronic project from North Carolina. His music is sharp, high quality, and almost entirely digital, but with some very sharp songwriting. "All Fall Down" features on his debut digital release "Getaway" Location:
Raleigh, North Carolina |
Album: GETAWAY (2008) Digital
download: |
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Spurious! - "Lives Balanced on a Grave" |
This is an internet collaboration between Tony Merlino (aka Blue Orion) and Drew (Breaze). Tony does the music all from his digital studio in San Francisco, California, whilst Drew does the vocals from Houston, Texas. It's all really quite catchy, and it's a shame this project never released an album. All Spurious! tracks are free for download from their website. "Lives Balanced on a Grave" is a song about living in dangerous times. Location:
San Francisco, California, and Houston, Texas |
Album: N/A ( 2005) Free download |
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Bit Pixel - "Summer Tide" |
Andy Condon is the power behind Bit Pixel, a synthpop project from the UK. After having had his demo tapes rejected by the major label Mute Records, his music eventually found its way onto the WXJL series of music compilation CD's released by Ninthwave Records. The demo tapes eventually found their way to the UK independent label Lucky Pierre, and after a long wait, "The All Clear" has been sounded with the CD release of the appropriately titled Bit Pixel debut. "Summer Tide" is a song about optimism and hope. Location:
United Kingdom |
Album: THE ALL CLEAR (2008)
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Cosmicity - "Oxygenius" |
Mark
Nicholas is this one-man synthpop machine from Michigan. He has
consistently released quality danceable synthpop music since being
signed to A Different Drum in 1997. His music has probably the widest
appeal in the scene, and he often writes his songs from personal
experiences. Mark released the final Cosmicity album "Escape
Pod For Two" in 2003, but continues to make electronic music under
his own name. |
Album: ESCAPE POD FOR TWO (2003)
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Gary Flanagan - "Despite All Our Worries" |
Gary is a one man synthpop machine from eastern Canada, whose brain is eternally stuck in 1981. Gary's music is lighthearted, low-budget, and naive, recalling the pre-midi stylings of bands like OMD, Visage, and early Depeche Mode. Gary continues to tinker in his studio today, concocting more early 80's inspired madness. "Despite All Our Worries" is a cheerful song about remaining optimistic in times of trouble. Be
sure to check out Gary's latest album, "Damariscotta", for
more fun retro synthpop. |
Album: DAMARISCOTTA (2008)
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Tony Reed - "Holding On" |
From
Las Vegas, Tony is one of the most talented artists out there who
self-release their own music. His music is danceable, with some Erasure
influences, but has some unique elements as well. His latest album,
"Lost", is very dancefloor oriented and lyrically has a lot of
political themes to it. |
Album: LOST (2005)
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Eloquent - "Bloom" |
Steven Cochran is the mastermind behind Eloquent, and is a person with a long history in the underground synthpop scene. His first album "Future Pop" was based around a unique concept: One vocalist collaborating with various musicians. The result was an album musically diverse, but eminently listenable. Steven's collaborations have included artists such as Simulator, Blind Before Dawn, Purveyor, and Synthetik FM. In addition to his Eloquent material, Steven is also part of the two-man retro synthpop project Royal Visionaries. Steven has teamed up with Tristraum frontman Randall Erkelens for the forthcoming sophomore Eloquent album, "Carousel of Life". Keep your eyes open for it. "Bloom" appeared on the debut "Future Pop" album, and is a 9/11 inspired song about recovery from tragedy. Location:
Los Angeles, California and Denver, Colorado |
Album: FUTURE POP (2004)
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Paris by Air - "Our Children's Garden" |
Paris by Air is the trio of vocalist Teri Gil, guitarist and occasional vocalist Rick Munarriz, and Willie Cleer. The band was originally signed to Columbia/Sony Music at the height of the Freestyle craze in the late 80's, a style popularized by such bands as Information Society. After releasing one song in 1989, "C'mon and Dance With Me", they were unceremoniously dropped by their label when grunge began to take over the scene in the early 90's. Since then, the band has achieved a cult following thanks to exposure on various internet music portals. In 2002, a culmination of the band's work entitled "All Around The Sound" was released digitally. This band is truly a talent which should have been better treated by their original label. All of the songs on this album are now available for free download at their website. "Our Children's Garden" is a heartfelt anthem about hope and peace. Location:
Miami, Florida |
Album: ALL AROUND THE SOUND (2002) Free download |
Many of the albums featured on this website can be purchased here:
