Sep 21, 2025

Synths & Sadness: Backstage with HALLOWS in Istanbul (Interview)

It’s a warm September evening in Kadıköy, Istanbul. We’re backstage at a cozy venue filled with vintage gear, half-drunk coffee cups, and a group of cats that act like they own the place. (They probably do.) And there we are—15 minutes to capture something rare, raw, and real with HALLOWS, the synth-driven duo from Los Angeles who call their genre “Sadwave.”

This wasn’t just another interview. This was one of those magical, jet-lagged, music-fueled moments that you wish you could trap inside a dusty VHS tape and revisit forever. (If only we had a retro player lying around… oh wait, we do. But more on that later.)

Let’s jump in.

So... how’s Istanbul treating you?

First question of the night? Not even a question.

We simply said, “Welcome!” and were met with:

“We love, love… all the cats. So many cats. It's great. Maybe too many cats. But we love it.”

Instant connection. A band after our own retro-loving, cat-obsessed hearts.

The Calm Before the Synth-Storm

Just before stepping on stage, HALLOWS was surprisingly chill. That slow-building anticipation you only get before performing in a new country for the first time.

“Never in our lives did we think we’d be playing a show in Istanbul.”

And honestly? The vibe of the venue, the kindness of the crew, and the energy of the city had already won them over. We were just getting started.

What to Expect from a HALLOWS Show?

If you’ve ever stood in a room and had your soul gently shaken by foggy synths and haunting vocals... you still haven’t experienced HALLOWS live.

“Some crowds dance like wild animals. Some just vibe quietly. We’re cool with both. But if you bring chaos, we’ll meet you there.”

Their energy is responsive. They feed off the crowd. And if the night is right?

“We go insane. But like, emotional, poetic insanity.”

Sound like your kind of night? Yeah, ours too.

How It All Began (Spoiler: Romance and PhDs Are Involved)

Let’s talk origin stories. HALLOWS isn’t just a band—it’s a love story, an academic saga, and a creative partnership that goes back decades.

They've been together as a couple for a long time
They both have PhDs in Economics (!!)
And they met through school, because of course they did.

Yep. Economists by day, synth romantics by night.

“We’ve written papers together. Now we write songs. Music’s always been a part of our lives since we were teens.”

Imagine getting your heart broken by someone who also once co-authored a research paper with you. (Ouch.)

So What Even Is Sadwave?

We had to ask: What is “Sadwave”?

“It started as a joke. Like, there’s synthwave, darkwave, coldwave, no-wave… so we just said, ‘Sadwave.’ And people started saying it back.”

Now it’s kind of a thing. A real thing.

Sadwave is synth-heavy, danceable, but also melancholic and introspective. Think of it like dancing while crying... but in a stylish way. Preferably wearing a black leather jacket. (Yes, we make those. But we digress.)

The Creative Process: No Rules, Just Feelings

One of the most fascinating parts of talking to HALLOWS was getting a peek into how they create music.

Here’s how it goes, more or less:

Start with a spark: Sometimes a lyric idea, sometimes a baseline or melody.
Voice memos: Over 200 recorded ideas from spontaneous inspiration.
Build it out: One of them takes the lead, the other shapes it.
Tear it apart and rebuild: They argue. In a loving way.
Finalize only when both love it: If one of them doesn’t feel it, the track isn’t done.

“It’s like a painting. Sometimes it takes a day, sometimes three years.”

We’re pretty sure that’s the most romantic way anyone has ever described the production process of a synth track.

Favorite Songs (and One They Hope You Remember)

We asked a tough one: If someone from tonight’s crowd only remembers one song, which one should it be?

He said: “Things That Hurt” – A slow-burning, aching love song about giving everything—even the painful parts—to someone you love.
She said: “Catalyst” – Their latest single (at the time of the interview), crafted with intense back-and-forth collaboration.

Fun fact: “Catalyst” dropped just 10 days before the show, but they’d been working on it for months. Because true art takes time. (Again, like painting. Or crafting the perfect retro sneaker. Just saying.)

From Minnesota to Metal to Synthwave

Where did their love of synth and darkness come from?

Industrial shows (shoutout to Youth Code)
Metal roots (they cite Perturbator as a huge early influence)
A love for layering intense, emotional energy with electronic sounds

“He’s a metal guy who makes synthwave like it’s a war drum. We love that.”

We feel seen.

Oh, By the Way They’re Style Icons Too

This part wasn’t in the interview, but we couldn’t help but notice: HALLOWS dresses like they sound.

All black, layered looks, sharp lines, icy accessories. Basically, the kind of vibe our Newretro.Net denim jackets and VHS sneakers were made for.

Would we love to do a HALLOWS x Newretro.Net collab someday? Maybe. We’re not saying no.

Dancing Through Sadness — Literally

One of the most surprising parts of the interview was how open HALLOWS is about melancholy—but not in a doom-and-gloom way. They’re not trying to bring people down. They’re offering a space where people can feel whatever they need to feel... and then move through it.

“We love sad music. But we also love dancing. There’s something powerful in feeling heavy and still letting your body move.”

They’re not wrong. There’s a reason we have playlists that go from Depeche Mode to Boy Harsher to a sweaty warehouse remix in one go. Emotional depth and rhythm? That’s what we live for.

Istanbul Feels

So how did performing in Istanbul shape them?

“There’s a romance here. But it’s not cheesy—it’s layered. There’s history, poetry, sadness... and the food is insane.”

They described a moment from their first night in town. Their sound tech and promoter took them to a restaurant where live musicians were playing love songs. The lyrics were poetic, subtle, indirect—full of space and silence.

“We don’t speak Turkish, but the emotion was clear. They translated some lyrics for us, and it really moved us. We like lyrics that hint at something deeper—less telling, more feeling. That night matched our approach.”

If that’s not the perfect metaphor for HALLOWS’ music, we don’t know what is.

Style Notes, Stage Vibes

You know we had to ask: what’s the story behind their stage style?

Their outfits aren’t just black-on-black for the sake of being moody. Every piece tells a story:

Structured silhouettes with hard edges
Minimalist accessories (we spotted a chain that gave major Berlin club energy)
Hair and makeup with a slight ’80s noir flair

“We treat visuals like another layer of the music. What we wear should echo the mood.”

Analog vs Digital? The Great Debate

We couldn’t let them leave without asking about gear.

“It really depends. Analog hits harder, feels warmer. But sometimes, that icy clean sound from digital is exactly what we need.”

Their last record was built entirely with analog synths—and you can hear it. It’s textured. It breathes. But they’re not purists. They believe in using whatever tool helps tell the story.

Artists, take note: the vibe comes first. The gear is just the translator.

Lyrics that Let You In (But Not All the Way)

One of HALLOWS’ superpowers is their lyrics. They’re often cryptic—but not in a “what are they even talking about?” way. More like “oh no, I know exactly what this means for me.”

“We always start with a personal truth, but we don’t make it too specific. We want listeners to find their own reflection in it.”

Themes like:

Wanting someone too much
Getting lost in your own head
Losing control but pretending everything’s fine
Yearning for connection but being terrified of it

Basically, stuff you think about while staring out a rainy bus window. (In the best way.)

Are These Songs About Your Relationship?

You’re thinking it. We asked it.

“Not really. We’re solid. But everyone has moments of weakness, doubt. We write from that energy, but it’s not autobiographical. Sometimes we write from observation—friends, movies, life.”

So yes, they’re together. Yes, their chemistry is real. But no, those gut-wrenching lyrics are not passive-aggressive messages disguised as songs. (We checked.)

Vulnerability, Power, and... French Sci-Fi?

One curveball we loved: their visual inspiration includes films like The City of Lost Children—a dark, surreal French classic full of emotion and grit.

“We’re drawn to imagery that’s slightly off, slightly uncomfortable. There’s beauty in the broken.”

That pretty much sums up their aesthetic: a little beautiful, a little broken, deeply human.

Also, can we start a petition to bring back VHS-style filters in music videos? HALLOWS, we know you're down.

Dreams, Shots, and Rituals

As the interview started to wind down, we hit them with a few quickfire questions:

🎤 A synth sound you’re sick of?
→ “Supersaw. Unless it’s done with style. Then maybe.”

🎤 An ’80s visual you’ll never let go of?
→ “The aesthetic. VHS glitch. Grain. Neon fading into darkness.”

🎤 Most surprising city you’ve played?
→ “Edmonton. The crowd went nuts. Neck pain the next day. Worth it.”

🎤 Pre-show ritual?
→ “Tequila. Then we tell each other affirmations. Then we kiss.”

Honestly, it doesn’t get more romantic than that.

Before They Took the Stage...

We asked if they had anything they’d like to say to their Istanbul crowd, just before walking out to the lights.

“This city has welcomed us with honesty and kindness. The way people hug here, talk here, feel here—it’s beautiful. There’s real passion. We’re lucky to be part of it tonight.”

And with that, they were gone.

Off to play one of the most intimate, heavy, danceable sets we’ve seen in a long time. The room was full of mist, movement, and emotion. You could feel people thinking and dancing at the same time.

Sadwave? We get it now.

Final Notes from Newretro.Net

If you’ve made it this far, you know HALLOWS isn’t just a band, they’re a whole vibe. Their mix of emotional depth, visual edge, and sonic precision hits the sweet spot we love to explore at Newretro.Net.

We design clothes for the outsiders, the romantics, the late-night thinkers. The ones who listen to dark synth on their way to something beautiful. Our jackets, sneakers, and accessories are built for stories like these.

We’re not trying to sell you anything here (okay, maybe just a little). Just know that if you need something to wear while you cry-dance at 2AM to HALLOWS... we’ve got you.

Until next time, stay retro. Stay raw. Stay feeling.
— Team @ Newretro.Net

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