Nightstop

November 16, 2017

Interview with synthwave artist NightStop.

Synthwave reaching new audiences.

11/16/2017 – Does anyone know how to pronounce Jyväskylä, Finland? We don’t either, but one of it’s citizens goes by the name Nightstop. Another in the European synthwave musical alliance, we had a short talk with NightStop about video games, getting started creating electronic music and more.

Direct from Jyväskylä, NightStop is another member of the synthwave family in Finland. Let’s go way back… how did you get your start making electronic music?

As a 80s pop culture fanatic, the movie “Drive” and its soundtrack totally blew my mind. I went totally bonkers, wasn’t able to sleep and went to the internet to buy cheap a midi keyboard the same night. I had very little knowledge about producing electronic music. Then I learned to use softwares, hit some keys of my keyboard and watched what happened.

What advice would you like to share with your younger self at the beginning of the process? Are there maybe a few lessons that you’ve ‘learned the hard’ way, that you wish someone would have told you?

I still “learn the hard way” about everything, haha. By the end of each passing year I notice something that I would have done differently in the past.

To the younger me: “Learn to compress your shit, dickweed!” In 2012-2013 I had a choice to sit down and learn about music producing or make tracks that sound like they come out of 80s Toyota Corolla cassette deck, I chose the later and it was a choice that I will not regret.

Your most recent project is the OST for Time Recoil, a video game. How did that come about and what was it like working with Sampo Töyssy (and team)?

Sampo gave me a very short deadline and it felt like a good challenge. I was quite satisfied with my part of the OST. Sampo was a very chill dude to work with.

Do you have any more OST’s on the calendar for 2018?

Yes, but they are for films and still secret to everybody, sorry. I would definitely love to work more with video games.

When working on a video game OST what are the major challenges you must overcome as a synthwave musician?

It’s all about timing and atmosphere. I found that first I did very progressive stuff but learned soon to trim down my tracks. I have also worked in couple of mobile games and found out that not all synthwave elements work as smoothly as I would like. So picking the right sounds and making loopable material is crucial.

Video games seem to be a major part of your influences. So much in fact, you list one classic NES game, Ninja Gaiden, as a concerstone of your development. Is there something specific about Ninja Gaiden that draws you to it?

Aah, Ninja Gaiden (or Shadow Warriors in Europe). I have never actually given it a thought, but now that I think of it, Ninja Gaiden offered very versatile soundtrack. Fast, aggressive, dangerous and sometimes beautiful. So many things and elements can be found in my own compositions.

Ninja Gaiden is legendarily difficult. Are you the caliber of gamer that can guide Ryu through all the levels and defeat it without cheating?

Haha, no game beats the mighty NightStop! No cheats, never. Real hardware and no emulation, savestates etc. I had an obsession to see ending credits and with commitment (and lots of angry and childish frustration) I did. So do not do cheats kids, stay old school.

What would you like to promote to your fans locally and internationally? Anything goes!

Let’s see. What should I promote… You can order my vinyl, cassettes etc. from different web stores, but promoting my own music is boring… damn, I just promoted my own music.

Play some Shadowrun (SNES)! It’s really good and has an amazing and dank soundtrack. 10/10.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to Slickster Magazine. Last question… name your top five 80’s swimsuit models!

Thank you, it was my pleasure. Oh man this is hard without cheating and looking names from internet. Lets try:

1. Samantha Fox

2. Tanya Roberts

3. Dian Parkinson

4. Sybil …Dangi..Dankin.. Danning

5. Sabrina Salerno