Synthmas 2022: Retrowave Dance Party

Join us  for a night of RetroSynth inspired dance music. This event showcases the best of the Twin Cities RetroSynth acts, supported by professional lighting design from Elevative Lighting.  In addition, limited merchandise from local labels Pytch Records, Cryptigem Records and Midnight Mannequin Records will be available. Presented by The Paradise Arcade.

Featuring:

c.Kostra (Minneapolis, MN) - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CcRKCwEfQXhcrZlVEwI5o

c.Kostra is Ryan Olcott (12 Rods, Mystery Palace, Food Team), veteran musician, songwriter, producer and vocalist based in Minneapolis, MN. Currently vocoding psychedelic warped cassette and wavy funk into sentimental universes of lo-fi pop.

North Innsbruck  (Minneapolis, MN)- https://open.spotify.com/artist/59e5fSGQev3PyHlEkRuHly

The sound of North Innsbruck (Chris Emblom) is best described as contemporary retro inspired electronic music built on a framework of dance and cinematic elements. Notable achievements include their release “A Delicate Balance” being included in MNSpin, Hennepin Counties online collection of selected albums from Minnesota artists, and “Best of” awards from Melodic Noise Media and SynthwaveFan.Nl. 

North Innsbruck’s work is also featured on genre defining compilation, Kiez Beats “Synthwave Vol. 8” and Brutal Resonance’s “Synth Massacre”. In addition, North Innsbruck is a Cinematic Composer with work featured in the immersive short film “DEEP TIME” and web series “Haunting Season”.

Plastik Boxes (Minneapolis, MN)-https://open.spotify.com/artist/7L0aXlxCLFocXfhrTqVtZM

Plastik Boxes is a Minneapolis-based melancholic synth-pop duo founded in 2019. The duo’s writers are Efren Maldonado on keys (Pye Luis) and Greg Johnson on vocals and guitar (Greg Online). Plastik Boxes released their self-titled debut EP in the spring of 2019, featuring the single “Motionless”. 

City Pages’ Jerard Fagerberg writes of “Motionless”: “Plastik Boxes are a brand new band, but they feel familiar. Listening to them is like watching Stranger Things—the aesthetic is so on point that it makes you wonder if it actually existed in the ’80s. Their debut single “Motionless” is flush with early MTV synths and danceable ennui. The lyrics flash across the screen, looking like the title cards from a Jane Fonda exercise video, an uncanny imitation of humanity’s most stylized decade.” 

Plastik Boxes followed up with their debut full-length album "Late Bloom", featuring the singles “Head Nurse” and “Windstorm”. Emma Manley of Twin Cities’ publication The Current writes of “Head Nurse”, “Plastik Boxes describe themselves as “melancholy synth pop,” and that’s pretty spot-on for this track. With sweet, soaring vocals and a background of dreamy synths, it feels nostalgic and hopeful.”

DJ performances by The Paradise Arcade (St Paul, MN) and Bionick Jones (Minneapolis, MN).