The retro scene has been on an incredible rise in recent
years!! In fact, in just a span of 3
years since NRW formed, the retrowave scene has completely evolved into
something special that no one could have fathomed. Our scene is a completely unique online culture
waiting to take over the world!
years!! In fact, in just a span of 3
years since NRW formed, the retrowave scene has completely evolved into
something special that no one could have fathomed. Our scene is a completely unique online culture
waiting to take over the world!
The main focus now is not only where our scene is heading to,
but what our scene will be in a few years. With this thought, comes a MAJOR
predicament.
but what our scene will be in a few years. With this thought, comes a MAJOR
predicament.
Do we remain underground/ behind the scenes and take over
the movie/ video game soundtrack? Or do we give it our all and get the
retrowave sound into the mainstream charts?
the movie/ video game soundtrack? Or do we give it our all and get the
retrowave sound into the mainstream charts?
Online buzz vs Physical Buzz
Let’s face it. Most of the retro artists that have emerged
from the scene have mostly been in soundtrack outlets. Notable retro artists to
make it into a MAJOR movie soundtrack include Electric Youth (Drive/ Taken 2)
and College (Drive) as well as Power Glove (Hobo with a Shotgun). These guys
achieved this on an independent level. No majors!!! After this exposure all of
these artists have attained a fair amount of fans and exposure setting up what
seems to be a promising future.
from the scene have mostly been in soundtrack outlets. Notable retro artists to
make it into a MAJOR movie soundtrack include Electric Youth (Drive/ Taken 2)
and College (Drive) as well as Power Glove (Hobo with a Shotgun). These guys
achieved this on an independent level. No majors!!! After this exposure all of
these artists have attained a fair amount of fans and exposure setting up what
seems to be a promising future.
There are many more artists who are soon to be on this road
including LazerHawk, Miami Nights 1984 and Perturbator. Soundtrack exposure
seems to be a certainty when you make music in the retrowave scene. But is this
all we were set out to conquer?!
including LazerHawk, Miami Nights 1984 and Perturbator. Soundtrack exposure
seems to be a certainty when you make music in the retrowave scene. But is this
all we were set out to conquer?!
There is no doubt in our minds that mainstream charts and
full exposure is what the retrowave scene deserves, but most do not think that
is what the retrowave scene needs. Remaining
underground ensures that the scene will not become overrun/ watered down and potentially
destroyed.
full exposure is what the retrowave scene deserves, but most do not think that
is what the retrowave scene needs. Remaining
underground ensures that the scene will not become overrun/ watered down and potentially
destroyed.
However, for this scene to grow, we need our artists to be
able to confidently put out their music and to also go on stage and rock out
the retro synths. The word of mouth from performances is extremely viral and
can set alight in these days. This will only come with mainstream exposure. No
true musician wants to have their music reach a limited crowd. They want the
WORLD to hear their music and spread it around like butter on bread!
able to confidently put out their music and to also go on stage and rock out
the retro synths. The word of mouth from performances is extremely viral and
can set alight in these days. This will only come with mainstream exposure. No
true musician wants to have their music reach a limited crowd. They want the
WORLD to hear their music and spread it around like butter on bread!
A prime example being Com Truise. He is the guiding light
for us in this scene right now. Not only reaching billboard uncharted status,
Com Truise is looking like the closest out of the retro scene to get into the
billboard top 100 and thus worldwide radio. Unlike most artists in this scene,
Com Truises’ primarily focus was on getting his music to a MAJOR level. Most of Com’s buzz was built up independently
via touring and live performances as well as internet buzz.
for us in this scene right now. Not only reaching billboard uncharted status,
Com Truise is looking like the closest out of the retro scene to get into the
billboard top 100 and thus worldwide radio. Unlike most artists in this scene,
Com Truises’ primarily focus was on getting his music to a MAJOR level. Most of Com’s buzz was built up independently
via touring and live performances as well as internet buzz.
Right now our scene is in GREAT form and is looking better
that ever. What we want is for emerging artists to actually have a chance to
reach EPIC levels through retrowave. We must expand our culture into other
outlets, if we truly want growth. If not, we can remain a soundtrack community.
that ever. What we want is for emerging artists to actually have a chance to
reach EPIC levels through retrowave. We must expand our culture into other
outlets, if we truly want growth. If not, we can remain a soundtrack community.
Not a bad thing, but we should strive for more.
What are your thoughts?
–
NRW
NRW
4 thoughts on “THE STATE OF THE RETRO SCENE”
It's time to conquer. Nothing last's forever, everything evolves. It already is and will be a soundtrack community. In my opinion there is no downside to gaining exposure. The best thing to do is to give a lasting impact when the chance is given.
I can't talk for the artists, but as a dancer, I'm taking it to the park with my boombox and taking it to the street. I just hope everyone makes money, has fun, and keeps finding the motivation to keep this alive, because the music scene seriously sucked until this movement popped up.
Oddly, the mainstream pop 'scene', while professing minor 80s aesthetics, never really revived it audibly up until around 2012, before moving onto an early 90s vibe.
The late and mid 90s were a phenomena where the type of music created therein cannot be revived, for the very fact that it didn't go out of fashion (Alt Rock, Trance, Dancey House). Alt Rock(1)* (Garage/Indie Rock) grew well into the 2000s, up until 2006. And Trance mellowed out until 2006, becoming Trouse: the Housey Trance(2)* EDM you still occasionally hear.
Only recently have a few true old school, New Wave type tracks poked through. But it's coupled with early 90s sounds and very Trance-like. You won't hear Tesla Boy or Penguin Prison on the mainstream radio, for example, ever.
(1)*The Libertines, Babyshambles, Art Brut, Kaiser Chiefs.
(2)* Early Gaga era, LMFAO, Calvin Harris era, David Guetta era, etc.
I hope that the new retro scene remain the way it is. I fear that the greater the exposure to lead to greater commercialization and diminish the quality of the music.