🇺🇸 Meet Christian Blankenship: The Synthwave Voice of the Night

Behind the decks and deep into synths, meet Christian Blankenship — a producer originally from Louisville, Kentucky, now settled under Florida’s sun. Raised in the small town of Bonneville, Christian’s love for music started early, sparked by racing games and cinematic soundscapes. Today, his hypnotic productions are catching ears far beyond U.S. borders, with his latest release “NightSkyy” signed to a Belgian label. We caught up with him to talk inspiration, process, and the grind of an indie artist’s life.

Hi Christian, thanks for chatting with us! Let’s start at the beginning — how did you get into music? What was the trigger for you?

CB: I’ve always loved music, but the real trigger came when I started paying close attention to the soundtracks of the racing games I used to play. The Need for Speed II main menu theme by Rom Di Prisco really stood out. Then I discovered Paul Oakenfold’s Bunkka album, with tracks like “Ready Steady Go,” “Zoo York,” and “Hypnotized.” Those songs had a cinematic intensity that made me want to understand how they were built. Later on, Midnight Club 2 hit me just as hard — its main theme by David Helpling had this nostalgic, futuristic vibe that I couldn’t get out of my head. That’s when I realized I wanted to create music that captured that same feeling. I briefly took piano lessons at Bach to Rock, but what really got me hooked was discovering the Recording Arts program there. That’s when things clicked, and I knew this was the path I wanted to follow.

What inspired your latest track, “NightSkyy”?

CB: Midnight Club 2, without hesitation. That game holds a special place in my heart — not just for the gameplay, but for the whole vibe. I wanted “NightSkyy” to feel like a nighttime drive through a glowing cityscape, full of speed, color, and emotion. The synthwave rhythm helped shape that ambiance — it’s dreamy, cinematic, and just a little bit mysterious, like those virtual worlds I used to lose myself in as a kid.

When you’re creating, do you start with lyrics or the music?

CB: I always start with the beat. The rhythm is what sets the tone for me — it’s like the heartbeat of the track. Once I find a groove that speaks to me, I start layering melodies and seeing where they take me emotionally. From there, everything starts to fall into place — whether it’s lyrics, effects, or textures. It’s a very intuitive process, and I don’t like to overthink it. I let the sound guide the structure.

What’s your perspective on AI in music — friend or foe?

CB: That’s a big one. I think AI can be useful in small ways — like helping generate a sound sample or giving you a creative nudge when you’re stuck. But as a whole, I see it more as a threat to creativity. There’s something special about making music from scratch, from your own emotions, thoughts, and experiences. If we rely too much on AI, I feel like we risk losing that raw, human element — the originality that makes music powerful in the first place. So for me, it’s more foe than friend.

As an indie artist, what’s been the biggest challenge so far?

CB: Definitely getting people to listen. You can pour your heart and soul into a track, and it still might not reach the audience it deserves. There’s so much content out there, and breaking through the noise is tough, especially when you’re doing things independently. That’s why signing with a label was a game changer — it gave me a little more visibility and support.

How do you handle your budget between music production, video creation, and promotion?

CB: Right now, I’m lucky — the label I work with, Binary Sounds, takes care of a lot of that. They handle the visuals, video production, mastering, and promo. That lets me focus entirely on creating the music, which is what I do best. It’s a huge relief not to have to juggle every aspect of the release process by myself.

No cheating — what are the last three songs you listened to today?

CB: (Laughs) Honestly, I was asked this question just after waking up, so I hadn’t hit play on anything yet! But usually, I go back to my comfort tracks — the classics from Paul Oakenfold or some ambient synth stuff to get in the zone.

What’s your top advice for artists who want to turn music into a career?

CB: First, treat it like a career even if it’s still a side hustle. Respect the time and energy it takes. Second, be original — people connect with authenticity. And third, don’t give up. That sounds cliché, but perseverance is everything. You’re going to face rejection, silence, and doubt. Push through it.

What are your goals for 2025?

CB: I just want to keep going — keep creating, releasing, and improving. I’ve got more music in the works and I’m excited to explore new sounds while staying true to what inspires me. 2025 is all about consistency and growth.

Any final words for our readers?

CB: Whatever your passion is, chase it with everything you’ve got. Life’s too short not to go after what lights you up. Whether it’s music, art, or something totally different — don’t wait. Start now.

—

Join Christian Blankenship on socials :