Fred Vanterra – Waikiki Synth (11/2022)
Waikiki Synth is an instrumental, synthetic-synesthetic soundscape of timeless and restless oscillators and was released on 4/11/2022.
“Waikiki Synth” is available as a stream, digital download, and physical release.
Stats
- Type: Music Album
- Genre: Instrumental / EDM
- Release Date: 04/11/2022
- Label: Vanterra Arts
- Copyright: All tracks have been composed and performed by Frederik “Fred Vanterra” Schrader.
Tracklist
- Waikiki Beach | 3:24 | *1999
- Waikiki 2 | 3:36 | *2000
- Waikiki Bit | 3:35 | *2006
- Waikiki Gemini | 3:36 | *2006
- Waikiki Seared | 3:04 | *2003
- Waikiki Europe | 3:59 | *2005
- Waikiki Abyss | 2:56 | *2001
- Waikiki Stardust | 4:52 | *2020
- Waikiki City | 6:06 | *2022
- Waikiki Midnight | 4:39 | *2020
©1999-2022 Frederik “Fred Vanterra” Schrader
Press
Fred Vanterra reveals some real humanness behind the synthetic sound goin’ on“
Lots of different sort of synthetic textures”
Fred Vanterra about “Waikiki Synth”
When people hear the name Waikiki Synth, they might picture sun-soaked beaches, swaying palm trees, and a touch of tropical flair. And while that’s part of the vibe, the real story behind the album is more of an inside joke that dates back to my childhood.
Growing up, I was a huge fan of the board game Hotel by MB. My favorite hotel chain in the game was “Waikiki” because it always felt connected to this idea of sunny, beachside vacation houses. So, when I created my first tropical, marimba-inspired song on my keyboard back in 1999, I naturally named it “Waikiki.”
What I didn’t expect was that the name would stick… and spread. Over the years, I found myself calling almost every song I composed on my keyboard “Waikiki,” whether it actually sounded like a beach vacation or not. It became this kind of playful habit, and before I knew it, I had amassed 140 “Waikikis” from October 1999 to August 2015. They were a mix of different styles, but they all shared that quirky name and a special place in my musical journey.
Fast forward to 2019, after I released my classical piano album Mythanien. Rediscovering my old keyboard songs felt like opening a time capsule. I realized there was something special in those tracks –a kind of raw, playful energy that I wanted to bring back, but this time with a more polished sound. That’s when the idea for Waikiki Synth was born: a “best of” album, picking up my favorite Waikiki tracks and giving them a new life.
I decided to invest in some new gear to help me realize this vision. I got my hands on the Yamaha PSR-S670, the PSS-A50, and Roland’s keytar Ax-Edge, and I started reworking and perfecting those old songs. Some tracks got a complete makeover, while others kept their original charm with just a few tweaks here and there. And, of course, I ended up creating a few new Waikikis along the way.
The result is Waikiki Synth: a blend of the old and new, a mix of nostalgic melodies and fresh, vibrant synth sounds. It’s an album that takes you from the tropics to the dance floor and back again, capturing a journey that started as a childhood obsession and evolved into a full-fledged musical project.
For me, Waikiki Synth is more than just an album—it’s a culmination of years of creativity, experimentation, and, yes, a little bit of nostalgia. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to check out Waikiki Synth on Spotify if you haven’t already!