Starcadian

Last updated
Starcadian
Also known asStarcadian
Born
George Smaragdis
OriginNew York, US
DiedMay 1, 2025(2025-05-01) (aged 43–44) [1]
Manhattan, New York City, United States
Genres
  • Synthwave
  • Electro-pop
  • Disco-influenced synth
  • Retrowave
Occupations
  • Music producer
  • Musician
Years active-2025
Website starcadian.com

Starcadian (born George Smaragdis) was a synthwave and retro-wave musician and producer based in New York City.

Contents

Career

Starcadian released his debut album, Sunset Blood, in 2013. The electronic music webzine Electronic Rumors described the album as “the best Disco album of the year”, comparing it favourably to Daft Punk's Random Access Memories. [2] This was followed by Saturdaze (2014) and Midnight Signals (2017), the latter of which was later described as “a retrowave classic” by the synthwave website NewRetroWave. [3]

In 2021, Starcadian released Radio Galaxy, which was named Album of the Year by the synthwave-focused outlet Nightride FM. [4]

Several independent interviews and profiles have examined Starcadian’s artistic approach. In a 2017 interview, he was described as seeking to create “ear-movies,” blending musical composition with cinematic ambition. [5] A 2025 retrospective profile characterized him as “the synthwave maverick who turns the future into funk,” highlighting his creative ambition and influence within the retro-futuristic music community. [6]

Death

Starcadian died in a cycling accident in Manhattan in 2025. [7] [1]

Reception and influence

Starcadian’s fusion of disco, synthwave, and cinematic composition attracted attention within electronic music circles. [8] Across multiple independent publications, he has been described as a creative and influential figure in the synthwave and retrowave scene, with his albums and stylistic approach often cited as among the genre’s most distinctive contributions. [9]

An article published on the website of synthesizer manufacturer Arturia [10] described him as a "synthwave legend". Following his death, local press coverage referred to him as a "top synthwave artist". [11] Filmmaker Jake Bissen of Milwaukee described Starcadian as “one of the very few truly independent artists who created entire sonic worlds on his own.” [12]

Selected discography

References

  1. 1 2 "Remembering Starcadian: A Legend Lost in a NYC Bike Accident". Newretro.Net. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2025-12-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ "[Audio] Starcadian's 'Sunset Blood' album". Electronic Rumors. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  3. ↑ Ono, Robin (26 November 2021). "Starcadian flies off the grid on 'Radio Galaxy'". NewRetroWave. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "The State of Synth Top 10 Albums of 2021". Nightride FM. 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  5. ↑ Barker, Darren (7 December 2017). "Starcadian on creating 'ear movies', his love of the 80s – and Grimsby". Exit 6 Film Festival. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Starcadian – The Synthwave Maverick Who Turns the Future into Funk". NewRetro.net. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  7. ↑ Sunkel, Cameron (6 May 2025). "Influential synthwave producer Starcadian dead at 44 after horrific NYC bike crash". EDM.com. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Starcadian :: Dreams captured in waveforms". Igloo Magazine. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "STARCADIAN | "Shadowcatcher" + Featured Interview". ABSYNTH. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Starcadian". Arturia. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "E-biker killed in Manhattan crash was top synthwave musician 'Starcadian'". New York Daily News. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "Greek-American Musician George Smaragdis Dies Tragically in Manhattan". The National Herald. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
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