Feb 07, 2025

College – Co-founder of Valerie Collective, known for A Real Hero.

College – Co-founder of Valerie Collective, Known for A Real Hero

Picture this: it’s the early 2010s. The internet is still finding its voice, Tumblr is the ultimate mood board, and the Drive movie soundtrack is turning everyday commutes into cinematic experiences. In the middle of this neon-soaked era, a brand called Valerie Collective is shaping the synthwave sound—a genre that feels like it was beamed straight from a lost ‘80s future. And at the heart of it all? A guy named College.

Now, before you start picturing some overly enthusiastic professor, let’s clarify—College is the stage name of French electronic musician David Grellier. And if you’ve ever heard A Real Hero, the dreamy, melancholic anthem from Drive, then you already know his work. That song became a defining track of an entire aesthetic, an era, and—let’s be real—probably your late-night playlist at some point.

But who is College beyond A Real Hero? What led him to create a sound so deeply nostalgic yet futuristic? And why does his music pair so well with retro sunglasses, denim jackets, and vintage sports cars? Let’s dive into the story of a man who made the past feel like the future.

The Early Days of College and the Birth of Valerie Collective

Long before he was crafting synth-heavy soundscapes, David Grellier was just a kid growing up in Nantes, France. Unlike many electronic musicians of his generation, his influences weren’t rooted in techno or house music. Instead, he was captivated by the cinematic synth scores of the ‘80s—think Vangelis, Giorgio Moroder, and John Carpenter.

In 2008, Grellier decided to create something that paid homage to those influences. He started Valerie Collective, a group of artists dedicated to reviving and reinventing the synthwave sound. This wasn’t just music; it was an entire aesthetic—a world where neon lights reflected off wet city streets, where muscle cars roared through empty highways, and where people dressed in leather jackets and vintage sneakers looked effortlessly cool.

(Side note: If you’re looking for the perfect gear to match that vibe, Newretro.Net has you covered. Their collection of retro-inspired denim, leather jackets, and sneakers could make anyone feel like they just stepped out of an ‘80s movie montage.)

A Real Hero – The Song That Became a Phenomenon

For many people, College wasn’t on their radar until 2011. That was the year Drive hit theaters—a movie so drenched in coolness it made silent staring and toothpicks look like a lifestyle choice. But the real star of the film (besides Ryan Gosling’s scorpion jacket) was the music.

Enter A Real Hero, a song College created in collaboration with Electric Youth. The track, with its dreamlike synths and hauntingly hopeful lyrics, became the heartbeat of the film. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know where this sound came from. It wasn’t just another indie electronic track; it was an emotional experience wrapped in nostalgia.

But what made A Real Hero so special?

That simple yet powerful melody. It’s not trying too hard; it just exists in a space that feels timeless.
The hypnotic beat. Slow, steady, and cinematic—it’s music for driving down a highway at sunset, contemplating life’s biggest questions.
The lyrics. Inspired by real-life hero Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (yes, the pilot who landed a plane on the Hudson River), the words elevate the song beyond just being a vibe. It’s an anthem of resilience, courage, and quiet strength.

Synthwave, Nostalgia, and the Art of Looking Cool

If A Real Hero was your gateway into synthwave, you weren’t alone. The song helped define a movement that wasn’t just about music—it was about a feeling. It was the sound of nostalgia, but for a past that never really existed. It was about creating an aesthetic that felt like the coolest version of an imagined ‘80s.

And let’s be honest—half the fun of synthwave culture is looking the part. Ever notice how the right outfit can make you feel like you belong in a Drive-inspired universe? A well-fitted denim jacket, some sleek aviator sunglasses, and a pair of retro sneakers, and suddenly, you’re main character material.

(Speaking of which, if you’re looking to complete your synthwave-inspired wardrobe, Newretro.Net’s got some killer pieces that fit the vibe perfectly. Just saying.)

But synthwave isn’t just about looking cool—it’s about feeling something. It’s about capturing that mix of melancholy and optimism, the way old VHS tapes look slightly distorted but still beautiful. It’s about the way a simple song can transport you to a different time, even if that time never really existed.

Beyond Drive: College’s Legacy in Synthwave

While A Real Hero put College on the map, he didn’t stop there. Over the years, he’s continued to evolve, releasing albums that explore different aspects of his signature sound. His music remains a love letter to the ‘80s, but it’s never just a copy-paste of what’s come before. Instead, it’s an interpretation—a modern-day take on an era that still influences fashion, film, and, of course, music.

But synthwave’s appeal isn’t just about nostalgia for the past—it’s about what it represents. It’s about the idea that the future can still be beautiful, that looking back can sometimes help us move forward. And isn’t that kind of the whole point of retro culture? To take the best parts of the past and make them new again?

(Which, coincidentally, is exactly what brands like Newretro.Net do with their fashion—modern quality, retro aesthetic. See how that all ties together?)

The Soundtrack of a Generation That Missed the ‘80s

Here’s the funny thing about College and synthwave: most of the people who love it weren’t even alive during the era it’s inspired by. And yet, the music speaks to something universal. Maybe it’s the dreamlike quality, maybe it’s the cinematic nature of the sound, or maybe it’s just the fact that we all secretly wish we could star in our own neon-drenched, slow-motion action sequence.

Either way, College didn’t just create music—he helped build an entire world, one where nostalgia isn’t about looking backward but about creating something timeless. And that? That’s what makes him a real hero.

College – Co-founder of Valerie Collective, Known for A Real Hero

Starting a business is like trying to put together IKEA furniture without instructions—frustrating, confusing, but incredibly satisfying when you finally get it right. For College, the co-founder of Valerie Collective, that journey wasn’t just about assembling something cool; it was about building a whole musical movement.

If you’ve ever watched Drive (2011) and found yourself vibing to A Real Hero, congratulations—you’ve already been introduced to College’s work. The song became an instant classic, a dreamy synthwave anthem that transported listeners straight into a neon-drenched, retro-futuristic world. But behind that hit was a man who was simply obsessed with creating music that felt both nostalgic and brand new at the same time.

A Love Letter to the ’80s

For College (real name David Grellier), the journey into the world of synth-heavy, cinematic music started with a deep love for the 1980s. Growing up in France, he was surrounded by a cultural landscape that embraced electronic music. But while mainstream electronic music leaned toward house and techno, Grellier was obsessed with something different—the dreamy, nostalgic sounds of classic movie soundtracks, vintage synths, and the aesthetic of a time when people thought the future would be all flying cars and laser grids.

That obsession led him to form Valerie Collective, a group of like-minded musicians who shared his passion for the ’80s and its unique blend of sound and style. The collective wasn’t just about music; it was about creating an entire aesthetic—one that felt like stepping into a VHS tape filled with Miami sunsets, cyberpunk skylines, and the feeling of driving a DeLorean at midnight with nothing but neon lights to guide you.

And honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in that world?

The Breakout Moment: A Real Hero

Even if you don’t know much about synthwave music, you’ve probably heard A Real Hero. Featured prominently in Drive, the song became the unofficial anthem of the film, playing during some of its most iconic scenes. Ryan Gosling’s character, silent and mysterious behind the wheel, cruising through Los Angeles as the synth-heavy beats pulse in the background—it’s pure cinematic magic.

But the song wasn’t made for Drive originally. College collaborated with the Canadian band Electric Youth to create A Real Hero, inspired by the story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a plane on the Hudson River in 2009. The song’s lyrics reflect themes of heroism and quiet strength, making it the perfect soundtrack for a film about a nameless protagonist who lives by his own moral code.

After Drive, the song exploded in popularity. Suddenly, College wasn’t just a niche artist in the synthwave scene—he was the guy behind the song that defined an entire aesthetic. The success of A Real Hero helped introduce synthwave to a global audience, inspiring countless artists to pick up a synthesizer and start making their own neon-soaked dreamscapes.

More Than Just a Song—A Lifestyle

One of the things that makes College and Valerie Collective stand out isn’t just the music—it’s the entire vibe. Synthwave isn’t just a genre; it’s an entire aesthetic. It’s about embracing the beauty of nostalgia, of a time that never really existed but somehow feels incredibly real.

That’s where brands like Newretro.Net come in. If you’ve ever wanted to look like you stepped out of an ’80s sci-fi movie or a synthwave album cover, this is the brand for you. We’re talking retro denim jackets, sleek leather bombers, chunky sneakers straight out of a cyberpunk cityscape, and shades that scream ‘I just hacked the mainframe’.

Much like College’s music, Newretro.Net isn’t just about looking back at the past—it’s about taking the best parts of it and bringing them into the present. Because let’s be real, we all secretly wish we lived in a world where synth music played in the background of our daily lives, where the skyline was a mix of neon and chrome, and where we could drive a vintage sports car with fingerless gloves and not feel ridiculous.

The Evolution of Synthwave

After the success of A Real Hero, College continued to push the boundaries of synthwave. While some artists leaned heavily into the genre’s nostalgic elements, College experimented with new sounds, blending modern electronic music with the dreamy synth textures that made his early work so beloved.

Synthwave itself also evolved. What started as a niche internet genre turned into a full-blown cultural movement, influencing everything from video games (Hotline Miami, anyone?) to mainstream pop music. You can hear its influence in The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights or Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. What was once underground became part of the musical landscape.

And yet, despite all the changes, College has stayed true to his vision. His music still carries that signature cinematic feel, that sense of nostalgia mixed with the unknown. He’s not just making music—he’s crafting entire worlds.

That’s the first part of our dive into College’s journey. But we’re not done yet. There’s still more to explore—from how synthwave carved its own space in pop culture to what’s next for College and the Valerie Collective. Stay tuned, because this neon ride isn’t over.