We caught up with Russian synthwave duo Stargazer for this Stargazer interview to talk about their creative process, the story behind “Ne/On,” and how they balance nostalgia, identity, and modern life through their music.

From their evolving production workflow to their perspective on the current synthwave scene, Stargazer continue to carve out a unique space that blends storytelling with a distinctly modern edge.

(Interview translated to English with help from Cyberthing!)

Behind Stargazer

TSOS: Can you tell us a bit about Stargazer as a project? Who are the members, and how do you divide roles like vocals and production?

Katya: I joined Stargazer as a full member only in 2023. Before that, we collaborated in a different format: Vlad would write a track, and if he wanted vocals on it, he would reach out to me. Now there are two of us. Vlad handles the music composition and all aspects of our promotion, while I take care of writing the lyrics and recording the vocals.

Vlad: Stargazer is a small island of peace and solace for me, as well as a space for creative fulfillment. With every track, I ask myself, “Can I pull this off?” and when it works out, the thrill is beyond compare. Sometimes I just love listening to our music on the road myself, because ultimately, I write it for me. In addition to writing the music for the project, I also create some video content, while Katya writes the lyrics, records the vocals, and shoots the snippets. We also hand our music over to various sound engineers for mixing.

Discovering the Sound

TSOS: How did you first discover synthwave, and what drew you to creating music in this style?

Katya: I first discovered synthwave around 2017, when I started university and my musical horizons began to expand. The first artists I came across were The Midnight and FM-84. When I heard FM-84’s “Running in the Night,” I knew this was exactly the kind of music I wanted to make. I’ve dreamed of being a singer since childhood, and this felt like a breath of fresh air. Even though I was born in 1997, I feel a strong nostalgia for 1980s America. It’s the atmosphere of the movies and music I grew up with through my parents.

Vlad: As a metal music fan, I once saw an interview with the band Amatory where they showed different international music videos. One of them was “Turbo Killer” by Carpenter Brut. I immediately thought it sounded like heavy metal, but electronic, with this strange nostalgic feeling. I started exploring the genre, listening to Perturbator, Dance with the Dead, and The Midnight. Back when I worked as a courier, I’d watch synthwave tutorials while waiting in lines at court, then go home and try to recreate what I learned. That’s how my first track “Wonderful World” came together.

Building a Stargazer Track

TSOS: What does your creative process look like when building a track from start to finish?

Katya: I always start from a demo Vlad sends me. I listen, understand the mood, and write lyrics that match the vibe. Then I record vocals and send them back. If everything works, we move to mixing. At the same time, we work on cover art and sometimes promo videos.

Vlad: It’s mostly about working with references. I’ll hear something and think, “Can I do that?” but it always ends up different because I want to change everything. Ideas come while working, and sometimes something doesn’t fit but gets saved for another track. Once the instrumental is ready, I send it to Katya and she builds the vocals from there.

The Setup

TSOS: What tools, gear, or software do you rely on the most?

Vlad: I use a Windows 10 PC, Yamaha HS5 monitors, and an Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Core interface. I used Cubase for years but switched to Ableton after seeing Carpenter Brut use it. Since “Ne/on,” everything has been written there.

Favorite plugins include Kontakt, Diva, ANA2, Dune 2, TAL-U-No-LX, and Serum.

Ne/On

TSOS: Dennis is a big fan of your track “Ne/On.” Can you tell us what the song is about?

Katya: The meaning of this song is actually the topic of my university thesis. It’s about virtual vs real-life communication. Online, people wear masks and can pretend to be someone else, which damages real-world connections. The chorus reflects that idea of not truly knowing someone behind the screen.

There’s also wordplay. In Russian, “ne on” means “not him,” but it sounds almost identical to “neon,” so we kept the meaning while adding a cyberpunk feel.

Vlad: Yes, that’s exactly how it was! 😅 I also added the slash in the title so it feels like “on/off” — reflecting falling in love online (on) and falling out of love in real life (off).

Influences and Inspirations

TSOS: What were some of your biggest musical or cultural influences growing up?

Katya: The 80s aesthetic has always been a huge influence on me. It’s tied to the films and music I loved growing up, and that nostalgia is what drew me to synthwave.

Vlad: Growing up, my mom and I listened to Retro FM — Modern Talking, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson. Later I got into drums and rock like Linkin Park and Rammstein, then heavier genres like metalcore. That influence still shows up in my music, especially when I add breakdowns. For me, melody and vocal rhythm matter more than lyrics.

Language & Collaboration

TSOS: Have you considered working with English vocalists, or do you prefer your native language?

Katya: Collaborating with English-speaking artists is a dream. I used to write in English and love how melodic it feels. For me, English fits synthwave naturally.

Vlad: I’ve done English collaborations before, but for solo work I prefer Russian. There aren’t many high-quality synthwave songs in Russian, and especially now, I want our music to bring comfort and positivity to people in our region.

Scene & Perspective

TSOS: What is it like creating synthwave from Russia? Has your location shaped your sound?

Katya: The genre feels less relevant here right now. The audience is small. Our sound is more influenced by foreign artists than local ones, though our lyrics reflect more personal and universal themes now.

Vlad: The influence is minimal. We aim for a Western sound, but with lyrics that resonate with our audience.

What’s Next for Stargazer

TSOS: What’s next for Stargazer?

Katya: Right now I’m balancing everyday life with creativity, which can be difficult. But after our first concert in Moscow, I felt re-energized. That connection with people is irreplaceable. I want to keep going, even if it’s not always easy.

Vlad: We’re writing new music as much as we can, but there’s no fixed schedule. We release tracks whenever possible.

Most Important Question

TSOS: What was your favorite breakfast growing up?

Katya: Sweet breakfasts — tea with lemon, a buttered sandwich, and something sweet like a pastry. Now it’s more like coffee on the go before work.

Vlad: Cottage cheese bake with condensed milk. Or crepes with boiled condensed milk 🙂

Find Stargazer music here:

Spotify
Bandcamp
Youtube