Interview with Cybercassette

In my latest interview I have a very nice conversation with Martijn Moonen from Cybercassette. The last track ¨Chemicals¨ is a big electro-banger in synthwave style and essential for the ears. So put on the song, enjoy, and then enjoy our interview again.

Klik hier voor het interview in het Nederlands.

Martijn, can you give a brief introduction of yourself?
Hey! I am Martijn Moonen, originally from Limburg but have been living in Zwolle for more than 10 years now with my dear girlfriend and puppy. I started 'Cybercassette' together with my best friend who I have known since daycare (Shout out to Nick Jansen!) in 2016. When we were teenagers we started to develop our own taste in music and became interested in producing songs through the EDM scene. 'Daft Punk' and 'Deadmau5', among others, were major sources of inspiration. Nick had once fixed a cracked version of FL studio that we were playing around with, without really knowing what we were really doing. But we had fun and there was a great drive to create and get better. Now almost 10 years later we are still producing and trying to keep growing, both in skills and in trying to reach people with our music. When we released our first album 'Electric Invasion' in 2018, we came into contact with the Dutch synthwave scene thanks to 'Hot Heels', 'Robin Lights' and 'Heartbeat Hero'.

Congratulations on your latest track ¨Chemicals¨. Can you tell us something about how this track came about?
Thank you! It actually started with the idea of ​​making a big 'electro-banger' in synthwave style. I was inspired by the track 'Imperium' by Madeon, one of my favorite electronic music artists. I thought it would be cool to start with a thick bassline and build on the track. Something to really kick it up a notch and raise the energy.
Some synthwave tracks have really cool thick bass lines, like 'Power Glove's Feel it', I wanted to play around with that too, but also give it my own style.
I like to think in terms of themes to give an extra atmosphere and aura to tracks, I don't know exactly why it became 'Chemicals'. I like to use my fascinations and interests such as nature and science, or tracks from other artists as a 'springboard' to start something new or to further shape it.

What are your further plans for 2025 musically?
I am currently preparing for a move at the end of this year. But in between, when I have a bit of free time, I'm still busy producing new tracks. A new two track EP 'Echoes' will be released later in June with some quieter songs. In the background I am working on an EP 'Safari', adding some tropical and tribal themes to synthwave. And something I would also like to finish is a synthwave track with influences from classical music (I like to experiment). I would actually love to collaborate more with other synthwave producers or singers on tracks. I would love to continue to broaden and innovate the synthwave-synthpop genre.

Why did you choose to produce synthwave music?
Okay, okay. I'll be honest, there are two reasons. When we started making electronic music, we were very much trying to make electro-house. Think of Boys Noize, Armin van Buuren and Deadmau5. But it was really really bad and crappy hahaha. The sounds and synths were often shrill and crazy and we could never really get the progression and build-ups to come out well. When we were thinking 'what next?' came the idea; 'Why don't we make 80's music? Synthwave is very cool, and it can also sound a bit crappy!'. It was liberating in a certain sense and also very motivating to keep producing and experimenting. The other reason, and it's the most important one, is that we really love retro and old school. Nick and I were often at flea markets looking for old things like cassette tapes, LPs, vintage looking stuff. And we often went to retro game fairs because we really loved old game consoles. Nick also still has the largest collection, and still enjoys playing Vectrex and Atari, among others.
We really liked the 80s, it had a certain aura, energy and atmosphere. A nostalgia for a time that we never really experienced, but partly grew up with or just experienced in the 1990s. That interest and love is what largely drove us to produce synthwave.

As an independent producer, how do you promote your music and try to reach new listeners?
I especially try to be active on social media and places like Discord (Nightride FM). The reason I moved from Limburg to Zwolle was to study at the art academy.
Besides music as a hobby, I also like to make art. I have a job as a designer and therefore also try to create and distribute my own promotional material. It is mainly sharing with friends, word of mouth, and slowly building and expanding. The synthwave scene is small, but very fraternal and fun.

For those readers who make electronic music themselves: can you give us a glimpse into your studio?
It's not super special haha, but a simple desk with a screen, keyboard and mouse. I use FL studio and to be honest I don't dare switch to another DAW because I am so used to FL studio now (and am still discovering new things in it). I don't actually use a MIDI keyboard or anything external. Unfortunately, I can't play a real instrument and can't read music, but I do understand some music theory concepts. My record player is next to the desk and the screen of my desktop rests on a cassette deck that I once received for my birthday. I also create a lot of tracks on my laptop that I can take with me wherever I go.

Which synthwave artists inspire you when making music?
I actually listen to shockingly little synthwave. I definitely have my favorites, like Timecop1983, Carpenter Brut and classic old '80s songs.
But I mainly listen to electronic music artists that don't really fall under 'synthwave', but do have synthwave/synthpop vibes. I love Todd Terje, Falco Benz, Lindstrøm, Dabeul. They fall more into synth music, with nu-disco and funk vibes. Just like Purple Disco Machine, but still kind of '80s sounding. In my opinion, 'synthwave' is actually very broad, because it also has influences from rock, disco and funk. If it feels and sounds nostalgic and it's electronic music with an '80s twist, then I consider it synthwave and a great inspiration. I think that also makes my music sound a bit different from classic synthwave.

The synthwave scene in the Netherlands is very small compared to, for example, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. What initiatives do you think are needed to introduce this music to a wider audience?
I think interviews like this really help a lot and are also something I am very grateful to be able to contribute to. What I think would also help (don't hate me on this) is if we approach the genre a bit more openly. Synthwave of course has its own style and aesthetic, but it also touches on things like nu-disco, funk and broader electronic music. For example, artists like Todd Terje don't make classic synthwave, but they do breathe that '80s vibe with their music — and that could also be a natural entry point for many people. If we dare to loosen those boundaries, we might be able to reach more people without losing the essence of the genre. I think collaboration and cross-pollination with other electronic styles can play an important role in growing the scene here. Furthermore, I think that thematic parties could draw more attention to it. Local events, DJ evenings, thematic Spotify playlists or collaborations between producers can really help to strengthen a sense of community. The Dutch synthwave scene is small, but intimately friendly.

What do you like most about the '80s?
Unfortunately, I didn't experience the '80s myself, but I think it was an incredibly fascinating decade. The combination of sleek design — in cars, art and fashion — and the explosion of technological development particularly appeals to me. Large 'bulky' devices where people still tried to think about the design. It felt like a time when everything was moving: digital technology, blockbuster films that were and have remained iconic and of course music that was suddenly full of synthesizers and experiment. They really played with new sounds and you can still hear that feeling of discovery and futurism in synthwave. That inspires me enormously, and gives a kind of nostalgia and atmosphere.

Finally, do you have any final words for the readers of this interview?
First of all, it was fantastic that I could participate in this interview. And thank you if you read this! I am very happy when my musical expression can touch others and make them happy.
The support is amazing and I really appreciate it, it means a lot to me and I am immensely grateful for it!

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