By Jack
Synthwave is a nostalgic, largely instrumental genre of electronic music. We provided a three-part guide to synthwave here. In a new weekly series, we look at songs that have defined the genre and interview the creators behind them.
Konrad Celiński is a polish musician. He produces a blend of synth music that incorporates elements of house music and pop. He caught our attention when his track ‘Take Off’ popped up on Youtube. A stylish, noir-synth song, ‘Take Off’ is a fantastic tune. Opening with the crackle of radio static and powered by a stiff industrial beat and dirty synthesiser riffs, it perfectly captures its inspiration: ascension into a moonlit sky.
We spoke to Konrad about how the track came to be.
1. How did you get into synth music?
KC: I got into synthwave/retrowave/80s music by a total accident. I was producing drum and bass, house, progressive rock for around 10 years.
I wanted to try some synthwave after watching the first season of Stranger Things. I sat in front of my computer and started writing some chords.
2. How did you come to write ‘Take Off’?
KC: ‘Take off’ is pretty strange single. I wanted to write some happy, synthy, lucid track that provides you with a very simple story. I was struggling with some personal issues.
3. Who inspires your music?
KC: I dont have any one influence really. I’m not even a big fan of 80’s movies and stars. If I want to write something – I’m writing it.
4. What are you working on at the moment?
KC: I’m actually working on some new singles with my vocalist Marlena. We will try to push few singles in a couple of months.
See Konrad’s cover of ‘Skyfall’ here:
5. If ‘Take Off’ could be the soundtrack to any 80s movie or show, which would it be?
KC: It’s not really a show from the 80s, but inspired by 80s. I would love to be featured on the third season of Stranger Things, or the second season of Dark.
Read our previous Secrets of Synth with Anoraak & Slow Shiver here.