Herkimer Throckmorton is a Canadian journalist, author, and synthwave enthusiast. He is best known for his book ""The History of Synthwave"", which explores the origins, evolution, and impact of the retro-futuristic music genre. He is also the host of ""Synthwave Hour"", a popular radio show that features interviews, reviews, and playlists of synthwave artists.Throckmorton started his career as a reporter, covering topics such as politics, culture, and technology. He developed a passion for synthwave, a genre of electronic music that draws inspiration from '80s pop culture, sci-fi, and video games. He became fascinated by the history and aesthetics of synthwave, and decided to write a book about it.Throckmorton published ""The History of Synthwave"" in 2023, which became a bestseller and received rave reviews from critics and readers. The book traces the origins of synthwave from its predecessors such as synth-pop, new wave, and italo-disco, to its emergence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, to its global spread and mainstream recognition in the 2020s. The book also delves into the subgenres of synthwave, such as outrun, dark synthwave, and dreamwave, and the influence of iconic artists such as Perturbator, The Midnight, and Gunship. The book also includes quizzes that test the readers' synthwave knowledge, making it a fun and informative read for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.Throckmorton is regarded as one of the leading experts and advocates of synthwave. He has written articles and essays on synthwave for various publications, such as Vice, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. He has also given talks and lectures on synthwave at various venues, such as universities, festivals, and conventions. He has also received awards and recognition for his work, such as the Canadian Music Journalist Award, the Synthwave Book of the Year Award, and the Synthwave Hall of Fame Award.Throckmorton lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with his cat and his collection of vintage synthesizers. He enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and listening to music. He is currently working on his second book, ""The Future of Synthwave"", which will explore the trends and innovations of synthwave in the 21st century.Throckmorton has also written books on other topics, such as humor, synthesizers, and publishing. His first book, ""The History of Humor Volume 1: 1990 to 2020"", was published in 2023 and covers the comedy scene in the last three decades. His second book, ""The History of Casio Synthesizers: Powerful and Affordable like Never Before"", was published in 2024 and chronicles the history and evolution of the Japanese company that revolutionized the synthesizer market and how its products influenced the music industry and culture. His third book, ""Creative Exploitation: The Unethical Practices of Austin Macauley Publishing, Dorrance Publishers, and other Vanity Presses"", was also published in 2024 and exposes the scams and frauds of some of the most notorious vanity presses in the publishing industry. The book reveals the deceptive tactics, false promises, and hidden fees that these companies use to lure and exploit aspiring authors. The book also provides advice and resources for authors who want to avoid these traps and publish their books ethically and professionally.Throckmorton is working on a book on the history of software for Macintosh and MacOS, titled ""Mac Magic: A Wild Ride Through the Evolution of Software for Macintosh and MacOS"", which is expected to be released in 2024.
"As a devoted fan of synthesizers and their impact on music, I found ""The History of Casio Synthesizers"" to be an enlightening and engaging read. Throckmorton beautifully captures the evolution of Casio's technology, and I especially enjoyed exploring the influence of their synthesizers on popular music and the quirky collaborations that have shaped the industry. This book is a must-read for any music enthusiast. - The New Synthwave of the Future Herkimer Throckmorton's ""The History of Casio Synthesizers"" is a well-researched and meticulously crafted tribute to Casio's iconic synthesizers. I appreciated the comprehensive listing of all models, both vintage and modern, as it helped me in my quest to complete my collection. Throckmorton's attention to detail and exploration of Casio's contributions to 80s and 90s pop culture made this a captivating read for collectors like myself. - Synth Expert Collector . Com ""The History of Casio Synthesizers"" offers a fascinating insight into the world of music technology and its profound influence on popular culture. I was intrigued by the stories of Casio's early innovations and breakthroughs, and Throckmorton's easy-to-understand writing style made it accessible to someone like me who is not well-versed in the technical aspects of synthesizers. This book is a great blend of history, art, and technology. - Music on the Cas(url) Blogwave ""The History of Casio Synthesizers"" took me on a nostalgic and mesmerizing journey through the iconic sounds that defined an era. Throckmorton does a fantastic job capturing the cultural significance of Casio's synthesizers, from their presence in film and television to their influence on fashion trends. I couldn't put this book down, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the vibrant and vivid pop culture of the 80s and 90s. - Synth Enthusiast Global"