The State of Synth
The State of Synth is a weekly live synthwave radio show on Nightride FM. It blends news, music, and a touch of '80s cheese, featuring exclusive interviews and tracks from notable synthwave artists. The show is known for its funny, surreal, and informative style.
Episodes
S15E18 – Touching & Tickling w/ Droid Bishop
Droid Bishop joins Dennis G and Neon Fawkes to discuss his new album Frontiers, life after Neotropolis, and catch up on what’s been going on with the World Cup. Plus, hear brand-new music from Sun City, Toxxic Project, MEGAS & Nightflyer, Earmake, SynthPrincipal, and more!
S15E17 – What’s in the Briefcase? w/ Michael Oakley
Michael Oakley returns to The State of Synth to chat with Dennis G, Neon Fawkes, and KZL about his new album Prologue, making music, favorite movies, and whatever snacks happened to be nearby. Plus, new music from Michael Oakley, Ness Daniels, Shadowrunner, Jacket. & Echo Wolf, Ferus Melek, and L’Avenue.
S15E16 – Crepes and Honey w/ Jessy Mach
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes welcome French synthwave artist Jessy Mach to The State of Synth to discuss his musical roots, classic TV inspirations, creative process, and why his music didn’t make it into the new He-Man film. Plus, hear tracks from Jessy Mach, FM Attack, Lyst & Dimi Kaye, Chelsea Owen, and more, including […]
S15E15 – Stranger Ways w/ Midnight Danger
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes welcome Midnight Danger to the show for a deep dive into the horror synth project’s origins, influences, soundtrack work, favorite snacks, live performances, and joining forces with Swedish sleaze rockers Crashdïet. Along the way, hear tracks from Midnight Danger, L’Avenue, Code 89, Wice, New Arcades, Marvel83′, and Trevor Something. Set […]
S15E14 – Paging Doctor Parker
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes catch up with Swedish synthwave favorite Robert Parker as he returns to The State of Synth to discuss what he’s been up to, his French house influences, live performances, and his most recent unreleased collaboration with the late Starcadian. Plus, fresh tracks from Power Rob, Myrone, Neon Shards, Mitch Hunt, […]
S15E13 – Drifting w/ Android Automatic
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes are joined by Kaarin Zoe Lee for a long-overdue chat with Michigan synthwave veteran Android Automatic. From the desert highways of Mojave (“Mo-Jav-ay”) to the chilled-out pulse of Infinite Drift, the crew explores the origins of one of the scene’s OG artists while spinning new music from Beckett, Bunny X, and more.
S15E12 – Eggs and Candy w/ Nouveau Arcade
Seattle duo Nouveau Arcade join Dennis G and Neon Fawkes to talk about their deeply personal concept album Die Happy, recording inside a 19th-century church, distorted vocals, mental health, and leaving imperfections in the music on purpose. Plus: Skyrim, TMNT, Pacific Drive, and why Forza Horizon 6 might secretly have the greatest synthwave soundtrack ever […]
S15E11 – TRAX AND SNAX w/ Jeremiah Kane
Jeremiah Kane joins Dennis G and Neon Fawkes for a synth-fueled ride through muscle cars, retro riffs, and what really belongs on a Polish sausage.
S15E10 – All Your Robs Belong to Us w/ Megatronix
Robbie Whiplash and Power Robs, better known as Megatronix, join Dennis and Jules for a fast, chaotic pre-Neotropolis warm-up packed with laughs, robo-banter, and heavy tracks. The crew talks upcoming desert plans, the origins of the Robs, gear, collabs, breakfast science, and what’s next for Megatronix, while spinning cuts like “There Can Be Only One,” […]
S15E9 – Embracing the Glitch
Jules and Groot catch up with Emmy Award-winning DJ and producer Faith In The Glitch to talk Night.wav, music production, DJ life, and getting ready for Neotropolis. Plus, a stacked playlist featuring new music from Jessy Mach, Bonggita, Mayah Camara, JJ Mist and more. Grab your favorite cereal and your clicker, it’s go time.
S15E8 – Chillin’ w/ Skylane Drive
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes link up with Skylane Drive. We break down how his sound is built, what’s behind the recent run of releases, and what’s been fueling the atmosphere lately, from X-Files to Twin Peaks. Along the way, we spin tracks from Lukhash, Power Rob & Night […]
S15E7 – Blasting Off w/ Meteor
This week on The State of Synth, Groot, Jules, and Kaarin welcome Colombian artist Meteor to the show. They dive into his origins, production style, and what all those letters in front of fighter jets actually mean. Featuring music from Meteor, Rogue VHS, MYRONE, and the legendary GoST. RIP. Grab a “corn cake” and enjoy.
S15E6 – Keeping it Clean w/ Street Cleaner
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Jules catch up with Street Cleaner to talk Neotropolis, live shows, Street Cleaner 3 the video game, and a few bat shit crazy ideas. We spin a stacked lineup including Alex Lightspeed, DRUMxWAVE & The Neon Syndicate, Duett, Morgan Willis, Extra Terra & Rogue VHS, Vector […]
S15E5 – Gearing Up w/ Watch Out For Snakes
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Jules catch up with Atlanta’s Watch Out For Snakes to talk touring, retro games, and his move toward vocal tracks, featuring new cuts from WOFS, Seersha, 7 Rising, Toxxic Project, Hideotronic, and more.
S15E04 – St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans ft. Seersha
This week on The State of Synth, Atlanta artist Seersha joined us for a St. Patrick’s Day episode that went a little off the rails, fueled by drinks, hot sauce, and guest host KZL. Featuring tracks from Seersha, Nicolaas & Brothertiger, Eclectotron, Lyst, and Data Fatale, with a few laughs and a little bit of […]
S15E3 – Blood & Glitter w/ Megan McDuffee
This week on The State of Synth, award-winning composer and synthwave artist Megan McDuffee joins us to talk about her work in video games, film, and dark electronic music. We spin several of her tracks, dive into her collaborations, and get her thoughts on vampire bites.
S15E2 – Beer For Dinner w/ Vector Hold
This week on The State of Synth, we’re joined by Seattle synthwave veteran Vector Hold (Peter Rice). We talk about his evolution from dreamwave to harder-hitting retro sounds, his production setup, creative influences, and his latest track, “Soft Focus Apocalypse.” Plus, new music from Eden Future, Altermore, Jeremiah Kane, Glenn Main, and more — closing […]
S15E1 – The Neotropolis Preview Episode
Season 15 launches offworld to Kepler-609c. In this episode, we’re joined by the Creative Director of Neotropolis for an exclusive preview of the 2026 festival — what’s new, what’s evolving, and what to expect before liftoff. With fresh tracks from Carpenter Brut, Jessy Mach, Cat Temper, and more!
S14E15 – Season Finale: Zenith Sounds Takeover (Co-Hosted by Von Kaiser)
We wrap up the season with a full Zenith Sounds takeover, co-hosted by Von Kaiser. Dennis G and Neon Fawkes hang out with Jonah (7 Rising), Alan (Let Em Riot), Mayah Camara, and Bobby (Syst3m Glitch) to talk shop, spin new music, and debut a handful of Zenith Edition reworks. Thanks for listening. See you […]
S14E14 – Noodling the DAW w/ The New Division
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes are joined by John Kunkel of The New Division for a focused chat on his music, production process, and work within the synthwave scene. We spin key tracks from The New Division alongside fresh cuts from Jessy Mach & lxst child, DRUMxWAVE, Lyst & […]
S14E13 – Making it Epic w/ Chroma Cloud
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes welcome Ohio synthpop duo Chroma Cloud (Jamie & Brian) to chat about their cinematic sound, creative process, and the stories behind their latest releases. We spin some of their standout tracks—including “Mine,” “No Escape (Pray for Light Mix),” and their killer “Knights of Cydonia” […]
S14E12 – The Swedish Takeover Episode w/ Lyst
On this week’s episode of The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes hang out with Swedish producer Lyst to talk about his music, his influences, his favorite tools, and what he’s been working on lately. We spin three of his tracks—“The Return,” “Downhill Drift,” and “Doze”—while diving into how he approaches sound, collaboration, and […]
S14E11 – The Touch of YOTA
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes chat with Swedish-French artist YOTA about her new album The Touch, collaborations with Johan Agebjörn and Douze, and her latest video. Plus new music from Droidglow, Kobra Force, Mecha Matos, Dynatron, Extra Terra, and Glitbiter.
S14E10 – The Doctor Will Synth You Now (w/ Dr. Jess Blaise Ward)
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes sit down with the one and only Dr. Jess Blaise Ward — yes, an actual doctor of synthwave. Music producer, author, and cultural researcher, Jess joins us to talk about her brand-new book, “Making Synthwave: How an Online Music Community Invented a Genre.”
S14E9 – Letting Our Hair Down w/ Anniee
Groot and Neon Fawkes sit down with Anniee to talk Night School, her musical The Heart (and the making-of doc), and what’s next. They also run through upcoming tour dates and spin a stack of fresh cuts from Phaserland, Jessy Mach, The Midnight, Atlas Neon, Battlejuice & Power Rob, and Miami Nights 1984.
S14E8 – Three Layers of Bass w/ Neon Nox
Groot and Neon Fawkes were joined by Swedish outrun powerhouse Neon Nox to talk about his music, collaborations, and production techniques behind his high-octane sound — including his work on the Terrorbytes soundtrack. The episode featured premieres from Signal Void, Annie, and Von Kaiser, plus bangers from Droid Bishop, YOTA, and Megan McDuffee.
S14E7 – Getting Nostalgic For Nostalgia w/ Vehlinggo
Groot and Neon Fawkes were joined by Vehlinggo’s Aaron Vehling to talk about the blog’s origins, iconic interviews, and its impact on the synthwave scene. They also spun tracks from Let Em Riot plus some of Aaron’s own picks, including Electric Youth, Fawn, Foret de Vin, Kinga, Sébastien Tellier, and more.
S14E6 – Making Music in Our Heads w/ VHS Dreams
Groot and Fawkes were joined by VHS Dreams — one of the OGs of the synthwave scene — for a trip through his retro-electronic world, from Trans Am and retro EDM roots to cover albums, aesthetics, and action-figure brainstorms. Along the way they spun fresh cuts and premieres from Evanton, Pfeffermouse & Edictum & Turbo […]
S14E5 – DreamReaper & Chill
This week, Groot and Fawkes plug into the dark cybernetic world of DreamReaper — the Portland producer whose sound fuses heavy riffs, glitchy textures, and cinematic energy. They dive into his creative process, favorite tools of destruction, and how his music is shifting toward new frontiers, from collaborations to movie soundtracks. Along the way, expect […]
S14E4 – Pro Wrestling Energy w/ Immortal Girlfriend
Groot and Fawkes were joined by Immortal Girlfriend — the Dark Knights of Synth — for a deep dive into their cinematic sound, brotherly chemistry, and their journey from Milwaukee to major syncs in Wednesday, Good Girls, and NBA 2K22. They shared creative inspirations, stories from the road, and even what fuels a 2AM tour […]
S14E3 – All Those Collabs w/ Pashang and Edictum
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes are joined by special guests Edictum (Austria) and Pashang (Korea) to talk about their global collaborations, upcoming releases, and the making of their concept album. Tune in for a boat load of exclusive premieres and fresh tracks from The Midnight, Droid Bishop, Futurecop!, and […]
S14E2 – Hitting the Invisible Cowbell w/ DRUMxWAVE
Groot and Neon Fawkes welcome Timecop1983 tour drummer and multi-talented artist Jay, aka DRUMxWAVE, to the show. They chat about his new project, DRUMxWAVE, and his experiences working with artists such as Timecop1983, The Bad Dreamers, Arena, Chroma Cloud, and Ollie Wride.
S14E1 – Monster Battles w/ Power Rob
Fawkes and Groot power up the season premiere with Neotropolis veteran and vocal powerhouse Power Rob — talking Dark Star, touring, and the secrets to ultimate Dragon Ball Z victory.
S13E15 – The Valkyrie Collective (Season Finale)
Dennis and Jules wrap up the season with an epic chat featuring OG Synthwave and French Touch legends Nightstop and Maethelvin—plus some killer tunes and a few herp-a-derps for good measure. Thanks for listening! See you in September!
S13E14 – Getting Mellow w/ Nightflyer
Groot and Neon Fawkes chat with Toronto-based chillsynth producer Nightflyer. They dive into his music, his upcoming album, the Toronto music scene, and just how much melatonin we should really be taking. Hop aboard your favorite seagull and prepare for flight!
S13E13 – Kickin’ it w/ Indigo
In this episode of The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes sit down with New Zealand-based synthwave artist Indigo for a late-night/early-afternoon chat about her music, gaming, and what’s been going on in the land Down Under.
S13E12 – Starcadian Tribute
In this episode of The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes honor the late Starcadian with a mix of his music, personal stories, and fan tributes. Guests Rob O’Neill, James Secker, and Jared Butler join to share their memories and experiences.
S13E11 – The Synthwave Matryoshka w/ ODDitee
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes welcome Pacific Northwest-based artist ODDitee. We dive into his debut album Everlasting, favorite VSTs, cereal preferences, his signing with Rosso Corsa Records—and things get very meta. Plus, fresh tracks from Lukhash, L’Avenue, Midnight Fury, and more.
S13E10 – Happy Spiritual Songs w/ Mike Templar
Swiss synthwave artist Mike Templar joins us to talk about his spiritual new album The Owl and The Moon, his love of sci-fi, and how storytelling drives his sound. Dennis learns more about his own Swiss roots—and how he may or may not be the main protagonist in Mike’s novel TROM.
S13E9 – Naming Palm Trees w/ Valley Lights
In this sun-soaked episode of The State of Synth, we cruise down the neon-lit highway with Valley Lights, the LA-based retrowave artist behind Two Lane Highway. We chat about his journey into synthwave, the inspiration behind his debut album, and why he’ll never get tired of palm trees.
S13E8 – Alex Lightspeed & the Most Excellent Episode
In this radiant new episode of The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes sit down with synth maestro Alex Lightspeed and The Most Excellent Band—featuring Siren Niphilim, The Neon Syndicate, and more—for a high-energy conversation that spans creative collaboration, retro inspirations, and the road to their upcoming album, “Lost Future” (dropping April 25th on […]
S13E7 – Songwriting in the Soup w/ Jessie Frye
Dennis and Jules sit down for a poised yet playful chat with synthpop queen and NewRetroWave artist Jessie Frye. From songwriting secrets to the lush sonic landscapes of her new album Otherworld, this episode dives deep into the stories behind the songs. Plus—could a Jessie Frye darksynth project be on the horizon? Tune in to […]
S13E6 – Words, Places, and Chickens With Lasers w/ Seersha
Dennis and Neon Fawkes sit down with Seersha to talk synths, songwriting, books, food, and what she’s got planned for her upcoming set at Neotropolis. Come for the music—stay for the Eggs Benedict.
S13E5 – Hustling for Neo-Creds w/ Night Rider 87
Stephen and Stephanie from Night Rider 87 join Groot and Fawkes for a fun conversation about music, synth culture, and the best ways to rack up Neo-Creds at Neotropolis. From creative scavenging to hidden hangouts, they share tips, stories, and insights from their experiences at Neotropolis—plus drop some fresh music!
S13E4 – Game Talk w/ Steam Cleaner
Dennis and Neon Fawkes chat with Jesse / Street Cleaner about the highly anticipated Street Cleaner 3, diving into its brutal soundtrack, the game’s evolution, and the mystery of its missing sequel. They discuss the grind of indie game development, the sold-out companion magazine, and Jesse’s go-to production tricks. Plus, they talk about his upcoming […]
S13E3 – Fire & Neon w/ Neotropolis
Dennis and Neon Fawkes chat with Neotropolis showrunner Jared about what sets the event apart from Wasteland Weekend, what first-timers can expect, and the role of LARPing, factions, and attire. They discuss the biggest challenges of running Neotropolis and tease upcoming surprises.
S13E2 – Chippin’ It w/ Shirobon
This week on The State of Synth, Groot and Neon Fawkes welcome UK producer and chipwave master Shirobon for a deep dive into chiptune, vocoding, and his creative process. He shares insights into his latest album, Breaker, talks about his favorite synths, and reveals what’s coming next!
S13E1 – Jetsetting w/ Glenn Main
Dennis and Neon Fawkes spin fresh tracks, take requests, and share highlights from their winter break. Later in the show, they catch up with synth-whisperer Glenn Main. Grab your hot toddy—it’s time for a new season of TSOS!
S12E15 – Creative Therapy w/ Bad Guys Get Dead
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes close out Season 12 with an extraordinary chat with Pittsburgh producer Bad Guys Get Dead. This episode is sponsored by the Exovant Corporation.
S12E14 – Space Milk w/ Sunesis
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes cozy up with some space milk—er, Bantha milk—as they chat with spacewave producer Sunesis. They discuss her musical inspirations, her love for space stations, and where to find the best empanadas.
S12E13 – and
Just ‘and’? Yes! Dennis and Neon Fawkes sit down for a chat with Nick to discuss how his company, ‘and,’ is making it easier for independent artists to distribute their music.
S12E12 – Tattoos and Balloons w/ The Motion Epic
Dennis and Neon Fawkes are back after a brief hiatus, and they’re making up for lost time with a jam-packed episode featuring synthwave sensations, The Motion Epic. Pat, Nick, and Aaron join the duo to discuss their latest album, High Rollers, and the inspiration behind its roller rink vibes. The guys share stories of tattoos, […]
S12E11 – The Unofficial Official Halloween Episode w/ OSC
Genre-blending producer Opus Science Collective joins the show to talk about his music, creative process, and inspirations. Meanwhile, Dennis and Jules unleash some spooky synth tracks to set the Halloween mood.
S12E10 – The Wu-Tang Clan of Synthwave w/ Cottage Cult
Real Finnish people Van Derand and Turbo Knight from Cottage Cult join Dennis and Jules to talk about their latest spooktacular album, Final Death IV: Bloodstar. They’re literally a cult that makes synthwave in a cottage (okay, a cabin)!
S12E9 – Setting the Universe in Flames w/ Yota and Johan
Dennis and Jules chat with Swedish-French artists Yota and Johan about their new EP, Universe in Flames. They delve into the inspiration behind the project and share some juicy tidbits about a few of the tracks.
S12E8 – Synthwave Trading Cards w/ M.K. Khan
Dennis and Jules entertain wild and interesting stories from LA artist M.K. Khan.
S12E7 – The Great BMX Escape
Dennis and Jules have a rad chat with French synthwave producer Benoit, plus drop some wheelie-popping tracks from your favorite artists.
S12E6 – The Status of Synthshire
Viperdrive joins the show to chat about his music, influences, and his time as a Nightride FM broadcaster. Dennis and Jules also have fun with rhyming words.
S12E5 – Our Favorite Color is Indigo
Dennis and Jules chat with NewRetroWave and Billboard-charting artist Indigo. Dennis ponders life in New Zealand and discovers a new food he can’t pronounce.
S12E4 – Power Ball Z
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes catch up with Power Rob.
S12E3 – Su Strumming w/ Moonracoon
Dennis and Jules sit down with Swedish producer Moonraccoon to explore her music and the influences behind it. Dennis discovers another word he cannot pronounce.
S12E2 – Dog Nugget Easter Eggs
In this episode of The State of Synth, Dennis and Jules catch up with Street Cleaner to dive into his music and get the inside scoop on his upcoming video game, Street Cleaner 3.
S12E1 – The Cult Of Lucy
In the Season 12 premiere, Dennis and Jules welcome SonicWaveArtPop artists Lucy Dreams to the show. Lead members Zero and One discuss their upcoming Canadian tour, share insights into their distinctive musical style, and reveal the intriguing role their AI bandmate, Lucy, plays in shaping their artistic journey
S11 Finale – Kids, Monsters, Heroes, Runaways w/ The Midnight
Dennis and Neon Fawkes bring down the curtain on season 11 with special guests Tim and Tyler from The Midnight.
S11E16 – Android Choir Throat Effects w/ Bending Grid and Gang
Fawkes and Groot hop on the party line to chat with Bending Grid and crew about their new debut album Parallax.
S11E15 – Every Action Movie w/ The Runaway Wild
Dennis and Jules talk action movies with special guest The Runaway Wild. Dennis eats too many Cadbury eggs.
S11E14 – Kiss Marry Kill w/ Syst3m Glitch
“Dennis and Jules welcome producer and friend Syst3m Glitch to the show to talk about his new album out now on NewRetroWave.
S11E13 – Strappin’ GoPros Everywhere w/ Out Runner
Jules surprises Dennis with the special guest Out Runner. They chat about his music, how he found the synthwave scene, and where he likes to put his GoPro.
S11E12 – Finnish Your Breathing With Ace Buchannon
Dennis and Jules chat with Ace Buchannon about his music, his ongoing battle with breast cancer, and the importance of breathing.
S11E11 – RESPECT THE SPECTRE
NEURON SPECTRE BRINGS THE BIG LETTERS AND HEAVY SOUNDS TO THE SHOW.
S11E10 – The Sex Knob Episode w/ Popcorn Kid
Indian synthwave producer Popcorn Kid chats with Dennis and Neon Fawkes, sharing his secrets behind sexy sax, while Jules unveils his latest drinking game. Meanwhile, Dennis focuses on increasing his iron intake. It’s all more fun than a coked-up Barry Manilow!
S11E9 – Pitching Patches w/ Marc Matthews
Dennis and Jules collaborate with synthwave producer and sound engineer Marc Matthews to create the perfect patch library composed solely of mouth sounds.
S11E8 – Hanging Out in the Save Room w/ Phaserland and Nagrom
Dennis and Neon Fawkes dive into a discussion with synthwave artists Phaserland and Nagrom, delving into topics such as their music, inspirations, favorite horror movies, video games, and the debate over whether it’s acceptable to alter the original Coke recipe.
S11E7 – Talkin’ Twin Floyds w/ Full Eclipse
Dennis and Jules chat with Toronto artist Full Eclipse about Twin Peaks, Pink Floyd, and, get ready, full eclipses! Grab your pinholed glasses and listen in!
S11E6 – Lost Nights: Chronicles of the Universal Traveler
Dennis and Neon Fawkes chat with Lost Nights’ about latest choose-your-own-adventure, “Noah’s Ghost,” and his inspirations behind his music.
S11E5 – The Torontonian Takeover Show feat. Nightflyer
Dennis and Jules have a cozy chat with Toronto producer Nightflyer. They chat about chillsynth, Tim Hortons, and where to find the last remaining McRibs in Canada. Tune in, eh!
S11E4 – Cooking With Edictum
Dennis G and Neon Fawkes have a fun chat with Austrian producer Edictum about his music, his numerous collaborations, and his favorite cooking recipes.
S11E3 – Getting Touched w/ Demon and LIFELIKE
Dennis G, Neon Fawkes, and special guest host Yota chat with French touch pioneers LIFELIKE and Demon and play some of their favorite French touch tracks.
S11E2 – Future Robo Cop
This episode, OG synthwave producer Futurecop! joins us as special guest. We get the lowdown on his experiences early in the scene and get to premiere a brand new track from him. Neon Fawkes eventually turns into a robot.
S11E1 – You Bring the Vegemite I’ll Bring the Gabagool w/ Night.Wav
In this episode, the crew of Night.Wav joins Dennis and Neon Fawkes to talk about the incredible experiences they create in cities all over the USA. They also drop banger tracks from their compilation album, aptly named, A Darksynth Compilation.
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