ABSYNTH //
ABSYNTH is a new music journal and video podcast at the intersection of all “Wave” Genres - synth pop, electropop, darkwave, post-punk, industrial, EBM, goth, dark ethereal, dark electro, synthwave, and dark synth.
Run by artists FOR artists, Absynth is run by a group of passionate musicians and music lovers coming from different backgrounds, each providing varying perspectives and philosophies while working together as a unit to highlight fresh new music from emerging artists all over the globe.
We love finding emerging talents through Social Media, so give us a follow and connect with us there!
OUR EDITORS & HOSTS //
VERO FAYE KITSUNÉ - Founder, Chief Editor and Host
Known as the American progressive darkwave artist-producer, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and filmmaker, CZARINA, Vero is the founder and custodian of Absynth. A New York native now based in Galicia, Spain, Vero’s unique life story as a multi-hyphenate creative first in the world of fashion with her own label in New York and then transitioning into music and into a brand new continent has been featured in NBC News, L’Officiel, and in VOGUE Philippines. She is known for her multi-faceted and dynamic approach to her musical and visual craft, often imbued with the spirit and the natural epic grandeur of her home. She is the co-founder of The Kitsunés - a multimedia art and creative powerhouse. She started Absynth first as a journalistic hobby for her passion for underground, independent electronic and synth music and to connect with fellow like-minded musicians and creatives around the world. Vero is a practicing animist, polytheistic mystic and spends most of her time in nature these days with her husband, the artist DeadlyKawaii, and her french bulldog, Hamlet Bacon.
KARL MAGI - Head Editor, Absynth Reviews & Articles
Karl Magi is a freelance writer based in Calgary, Alberta and is the Head Writer of Absynth’s editorial platform. He has an applied degree in communications with a specialization in journalism from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. He’s been a freelance writer for 15 years. He is also a photographer, poet, lover of fine art and fine food along with all things synth-related. Synth music has been an interest for Karl ever since he first heard “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurhythmics while getting his haircut at the age of 8. Since then, he has gone on to absorb music from all of the greats like Vangelis, John Carpenter and Kitaro. After many years with it as a peripheral interest, the synthwave explosion saw Karl drawn to the scene like never before.
THORISSON - Editor and Host, Absynth
Now his passion is combined with his writing career to create in-depth reviews of all things synth-based in the musical realm. Karl’s approach to writing reviews is to take a deep dive into each recording and explore both the musical elements and his own feelings as shaped by the music. He wants to accurately represent music in verbal form with each review.
Icelandic producer/saxophone player THORISSON officially began his musical journey in 2014 with a remix of Sunset & Solid Skill’s ‘Alive’ with Cloudland Music with huge success. The producer followed up with a number of Trance releases with the same label--most notably ‘Here We Are’, which was premiered by superstar DJ Armin van Buuren.
Thorisson has since re-established himself in the synthpop and synthwave realm, with his most notable releases to date being collaborations ‘One Night’ with Hedband and ‘Thinking ‘Bout Us with Siri Linn, which respectively earned him a spot on the 2018 Iceland Airwaves music festival and a top 50 position in Norway’s pop charts.
Most recently, Thorisson has embraced his role as an Absynth editor, as well as being a host on Absynth’s Video podcasts.
ATOMIC ROBO KID - Editor, Absynth Reviews & Articles
Atomic Robo Kid was manufactured in 1981 & promptly put into service at Terra 12. His primary objective was to engage and destroy the mutated alien life forms, wreaking havoc on the colonists on Terra-12.
His determination and superior fire power eventually ensured the survival of the colonists. The victory was commemorated by the release of an arcade game in 1988.
During the 1990's his nuclear capabilities were considered unstable and were decommissioned. Although, still a fierce adversary with fully functional lasers he is now a sworn protector of Synthwave and related genres.
He has been curating playlists for his YouTube channel since 2021 which he accompanies with video edits that often indulge in all that's retro! Alongside this, more recently he has discovered a new passion for using his lasers to craft art and more significantly writing Darksynth reviews.
JAKE GRIFFITHS - Editor and Host, Absynth
Jake presents Electrodrome, the electronic music show on Radio Wigwam - an independent radio station broadcasting known for its support of an eclectic range of new and upcoming music. Electrodrome’s weekly shows highlight the very best of electronic music across a broad range of genres, including synthwave, electronica, house, techno, ambient and experimental. The broadcast show is accompanied by Electrodrome Extra guest mixes, artist interviews and Jake’s own long-play atmospheric and soundtrack mixes, representing nearly 20 years of curation.
A former electro and deep house DJ, Jake played at Ministry of Sound, Turnmills & Egg alongside some of dance music’s biggest names (including Smokin’ Jo, Tim Sheridan and Sander Kleinenberg). Alongside his work in electronic music curation, Jake is a vocalist, songwriter and producer releasing under his personal production project The West View which combines alternative guitar music with electronic elements.
Based in the UK and growing up in the wide open spaces of Norfolk, he now lives in Hertfordshire in the orbit of London England.
KIZUNAUT - Editor and Host, Absynth
KIZUNAUT is Oskari Lappalainen. Oskari got his introduction to journalism during his studies in the University of Helsinki, during which he wrote articles for various magazines. From articles on the history of destroying instruments during live performances to write-ups about personal data ownership, his eclectic writings also included his first album review, which was of Covenant’s Blinding Dark album written for Tutkain magazine.
Oskari has a strong personal philosophy for doing music reviews, reviewing only music he enjoys, treating the reviews as research projects, trying to be descriptive, analyzing the music in its own terms and lifting up indie artists. He believes that in an era where negativity online can gather enormous attention, it is much wiser to give positive attention than negative attention.
Beyond his forays into music reviews, Oskari is known for producing music. He has been making music since 2008 and as Kizunaut since 2017. Influenced by synthwave, industrial, rock, New Wave and contemporary music, Kizunaut’s unique style reflects Oskari’s diverse music taste. Oskari has also been involved in organizing live music events in the Helsinki region.
MIKE TEMPLAR - Editor, Absynth
Mike Templar is a composer, electronic music producer, writer and artist working in the genres of cinematic retro-electro, newwave, synthpop, darkwave and dance, along with a few special projects (e.g. “A INTUS AD EXTRA”) in other genres. After he made music in other genres for a while, his debut synthpop album "Everything" was released in April 2019 and from then on he knew, that he wanted to keep producing retrowave music. This was followed by other projects such as the spacewave album TROM, which also contains a full cyberpunk sci-fi novella, and his current album "Digital Death", which is a fusion of synthpop, newwave, synthwave, darkwave, electronic rock and French house and shines with some great artists known from the scene such as C Z A R I N A and Strike Eagle. At the same time, this album contains his vocal debuts "Black Lodge" and "True Value". All his albums are concept albums and tell a story - some of them turn to the more serious, often repressed and rather invisible issues of society. Music was an early companion in Mike’s life and that journey started with Mike Oldfield and Jean-Michel Jarre, though he really started to produce music much later in his life.
For more info on Mike, visit Mike Templar, Instagram and Twitter
OUR FRIENDS AND AFFILIATES //
Our favorite authority and walking encylopedia about all things Synthpop, New Wave and Electropop, Chi Ming Lai of ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK joins us every now on then as a guest host on our video podcasts and artist interviews in which he shares his thorough knowledge, reviews, and first-hand experiences as a music journalist throughout the decades.
Music journal of synth and electropop enthusiast, expert on all things Wild(e), and podcaster, Lee Bennett enjoys discovering emerging synth pop artists, as well as giving updates on pop icon Kim Wilde’s latest and greatest! Make sure to also follow him on X.
Heidelberg, Germany-based label and our favorite resource for Gothic, Industrial, Darkwave, Dark Electro, Dark Pop, Pagan, Dark Ethereal, Metal, and other Dark Music Genres, darkTunes Music Group is the home of Extize, Omnimar, Toal, CZARINA, Agnis, Her Own World, Dead Lights, Blackbook and more!