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The Cold Synthwave Reality
Let’s face it, fellow synthwave creators: your friends aren’t hyped about your latest track because… you’re too real. They see you in everyday moments, accessible in a world where artists feel out of reach. You’re not some elusive figure bathed in neon light—they know you, and that makes them think you’re just like them. And in a sense you are. The difference is that you think bigger. You're going further in life.
Think about this: they’ll drop $200 on tickets to see The Weekend or Dua Lipa, but won’t even consider dropping $10 on your retro-future gig. It’s not that they don’t like music, it’s just that in their eyes, you’re not on that glittering synth-soaked stage with lasers firing all around you.
When you’ve spent hours in your home studio, mixing beats under pink and purple LED lights, and you finally have the perfect track, you hit up your friend. They hit you with that “oh, cool” face. A week passes—nothing. Two weeks? Still nothing. And deep down, you know they’ve probably got no intention of ever pressing play.
It’s not that they don’t care, but to them, you’re not the artist—you’re just you. And that’s the struggle.
The Synthwave Struggle Explained
Here’s the cold, digital truth: you’re not famous.
Society craves creative expression—yet somehow, unless it's profitable, it’s seen as a distraction. Your friends are trapped in a world of industry, where success is measured in YouTube views and Billboard hits. If your neon-drenched music doesn’t have 100 million streams or break Spotify records, they think you’re just dabbling.
You didn’t sell out a holographic stadium. TMZ isn’t flashing your name in neon headlines. You’re not the main character in some retro-futuristic tabloid story, and your love life isn’t being dissected by millions of fans. So, to your friends and family, it feels like you haven’t "made it."
And of course, they hit you with the familiar line: “Get a real job.”
But Here’s The Reality They’re Missing
In this glitchy, vaporwave-inspired world, fame is just static noise.
You don’t need to be on the front page of some synth-streaked magazine to thrive. Your friends don’t get it—they’re trapped in a media-fueled bubble where the only success is fame.
But that’s their misunderstanding.
Remember this: the future belongs to the bold. In the music world, every artist can carve their niche, as long as they’re willing to create something people crave in this neon-lit digital landscape.
Your friends may not understand it yet, but your sound—crafted from the heart of the retro synthwave aesthetic—has a place. It’s just waiting to be discovered by the right listener, vibing out in a glowing city skyline of the future.
So, keep creating. You don’t need to be famous to succeed. You need to be you.
Welcome to the Synthwave Underground: The Post-Hit Era for Musicians
You’re now a synthwave musician.
Forget the Spotify Top 50. That’s a tiny, flashing neon cult. Yours might be even smaller, tucked away in the digital backstreets, but own it. If you think you’re on some turbo-charged ride to synthwave stardom, pull over now, because that’s not how we roll in the retro future.
Sure, you could light yourself up in a blaze of neon glory, trying to capture the news cycle for half a day, but let’s be real—most outlets won’t even blink unless you’re already a legend in the scene. And by then, what’s the point? You’ll be burnt out like a dying neon sign.
Here’s the real deal: Practice. Hone your sound. Perfect your craft. You’re here to create tracks that glow with the pulse of the city at midnight. Build your audience, one synth wave at a time. Let it grow organically, like a skyline rising in the distance.
That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.
Underdogs Thrive in the Retro Future
In this post-hit reality, underdogs are the true victors. Forget about writing chart-toppers—the game has changed. Your goal is simple: make music that supports your passion or make music that sustains your life.
Bombshell: Life in the Shadows of the Neon Glow
Here’s something for all you low-key synthwave creators: I’ve been quietly earning residual income from my music. I haven’t mentioned it to family or friends because there’s a certain peace in staying off the radar. While I’m out here posting German -inspired fashion pics on Instagram (like this Oktober Fest post on my personal profile —seriously, it’s a vibe), I’m living a life of quiet independence through my music.
In the shadows of California, South Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or even Texas, I can wander in peace, unrecognized and free. Meanwhile, I know people who need to show off their success, flashing their cash, and dealing with everyone trying to siphon it away. Let them have their moments of artificial stardom.
Low-key is the way.
There are countless neon-lit pathways to making a living off your sound. The key is to explore those pathways without drawing attention to yourself. You don’t need the blaring neon lights to succeed. Just keep vibing in the synthwave underground, where the beats never stop and the future is yours to create.
Synthwave Reflections: Crafting Music in the Neon Glow
Am I still learning about the music business? Absolutely. Are there areas I can improve? Definitely. I work on my craft daily, fine-tuning the beats and melodies that pulse with that retro-futuristic vibe.
If fame finds me in this glowing future? Cool. But that’s not my goal. To date, I haven’t messaged any family or friends about my music. What I do have is something better—a tribe and an email list, people who vibe with my sound. A personal tip? I started marketing my music overseas. Best decision ever.
Time: The Hidden Synthwave Resource
Here’s something I’ve learned: Time is a misunderstood resource. When you feel like you’re not getting results in the moment, you’re still investing time—and that’s everything. When you look at someone else’s neon-lit success, you’re only seeing the surface. You can’t see the late nights, the crushed hopes, the endless temptation to quit.
Grant Cardone said it well: “The time. The disappointments. The discouragements. And all the temptations to quit.”
Am I making millions like Taylor Swift right now? Do I have 100 million views lighting up my videos? Not yet. But I know if I keep investing time and energy into this dream, it’s going to pay off, in ways even brighter than I can imagine.
Every artist reading this: you may not see an immediate payoff, but trust me, it’s coming. Keep pushing through the digital fog. When you pour your energy into your craft, eventually it all clicks.
Focusing on Genuine Synthwave Connections
One of the most important lessons in this digital age is recognizing when the people around you are only thinking, “What’s in it for me?” Maybe you’ve thought, “I want to collaborate with them because they have a massive following.” Or maybe someone’s done that to you because they saw your growing fanbase. It’s human nature.
But if you’re just chasing numbers, you’ll miss out on real connections. Ask yourself: Do you genuinely like this artist’s music? Can you be yourself around them? Could you vibe together even if music wasn’t in the picture? Or is it just a way to jump on their bandwagon?
Look, I get it. Everyone wants a piece of success, and being an opening act to a major star sounds like the shortcut to the neon sky. But here’s a reality check: Ariana Grande chose Social House for her Sweetener Tour when they had just a few thousand followers across platforms. That should remind you that sometimes it’s not about the numbers—it’s about the vibe, the connection, and giving someone a chance.
So in this synthwave future, don’t get lost chasing the fame machine. Focus on building genuine relationships, and let your neon path unfold naturally.
Synthwave Reality Check: A Numbers Game
“But it’s a numbers game.”
I won’t disagree. 100 million views on your YouTube vids screams success in neon lights, no doubt. I get it. But remember this: People want to work with those they know, like, and trust. Trust is everything, especially in this retro-futuristic landscape we’re navigating.
Personally, I’ve refused to go the record label route because many have shown they don't respect boundaries and seeing that it is mostly about money with them and not the passion. Should I let my creativity take a back seat for fame and money, or to sell products?
On the other hand: If you vibe with someone’s music, even if they’ve only got 5 Facebook fans, collaborate anyway. You never know where it might lead in the glow of synth.
Genuine and honest people? They’re rare in this hyper-connected world. I got tired of people in Indy saying, “You’ve got potential,” or, “You’re this, you’re that,” then turning the conversation to my personal life. Instead of that, how about we focus on creating music together? Let’s vibe, let’s grow. That mindset is hard to find. Now, in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska, I can find opportunities to share my creative vision—perfectly in sync with my creative flow.
Scarcity Breeds Desperation: Synthwave Mindset Shift
Benjamin Hardy nailed it: Some people are just takers, hungry for power and desperate for attention. I’ve seen it—the cutthroat mentality, the backstabbing, all in the name of success. It’s a toxic cycle fueled by scarcity. I naturally distanced myself because, as I said, trust takes time for me.
Everyone wants success, but instead of latching onto someone else’s rising star, focus on what you can give. You’ll know when someone’s a giver—they help you out of genuine support without expecting anything in return, and they’re truly happy for the success they help you achieve. That’s the energy we need in this neon-drenched future.
The Shift After Success: People Want a Piece
I’ve come to realize: people will crave that piece of success once they perceive you’ve made it. After starting this new music career, I could only imagine family and friends, old schoolmates, and people I have known for years suddenly start trying to reconnect. But where were they when I was just starting out? Or the time I had to celebrate my victories all by myself and in secret? Now, they want a slice of the success because now I’m more relevant now that strangers know about me. Funny how that works, right?
This mindset shift becomes even clearer as you grow. Who knows why these people only wanted to reconnect after 20 years? Maybe they're sensing success, wanting to name-drop for clout. But here’s the truth: I’m not here to be used like a tool. I keep a low profile, posting about German culture and life, not tooting my horn all the time on social media about everything I'm doing. It is a peace that is worth protecting.
Fellow musicians, trust me: When you start gaining millions of views, people’s attitudes will change. It’s just the way things are. But before the fame kicks in, you’ll find your ride or dies—those who love your music for what it is. Once you’re successful, it gets harder to trust people’s intentions.
From the old music industry to today's: Synthwave Hustle
By 2020, I published my first song (and video game). Too many people have asked: “why hasn't it worked out for you in the past?” I covered that. Different times. Different era. More opportunity has opened up for independent artists to thrive today. Whether I am living in Texas, South Carolina, or Oklahoma, I can accomplish anything. No matter if I live in smaller towns or bigger cities, I could thrive creatively no matter where I landed in the world. Success isn't about a location, but hard work!
Don't judge a person by how many followers they have.
Remember what I said earlier—Social House only had 653 Facebook fans, and Ariana Grande still chose them for her tour. It’s not about the numbers; it’s about the vibe and where your heart is. Give people a chance, and you’ll be surprised at where it could lead.
Growing Your Synthwave Presence Steadily
I recently learned how you can grow your social media presence nice and steady. You can test it on one of you YouTube videos and see new results. Let’s see if the numbers increase collaboration requests. If anyone else has experienced a 360-degree shift after some success, drop a note—I’d love to hear about it.
Focusing on Your Synthwave Tribe
Here’s the synthwave truth: Your friends and fam may or may not support your music. If they do, cherish them. If they don’t, find people who truly connect with your sound and build your tribe. Don’t force anyone to be a part of your journey if they’re not into it.
At the end of the day, the ones who stick around when there’s only one person in the crowd—those are your real people. Everyone else? They’ll start showing up once they see you putting in the work and making waves.
People notice effort. And when they see you’re serious, they’ll come around, even if they’re not into your genre. Keep hustling, keep creating, and trust that the neon future is brighter than you can imagine.
But we’re not living in a perfect world—we're in a neon-lit reality where the grind never stops.
Keep working hard!
Writing song lyrics daily for an hour? Crank it up—write more, push your creative boundaries. Performing? Hit the stage even harder, dive deeper into the crowd’s energy. Learning about the business side of music? Go all in. Learn more, hustle smarter. In this retro-future, it’s all about outworking yesterday’s version of yourself.
The future is built in the glow of your work—so fuel it with everything you’ve got.
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