Synthetic Dreams Podcast

This very special episode of Synthetic Dreams, features a conversation with legendary songwriter and producer Pete Bellotte. Pete’s extraordinary journey began in the basement of Munich’s Arabella Sheraton Hotel, home to Giorgio Moroder’s groundbreaking Musicland Studios. There, as Moroder’s right-hand man and a visionary in his own right, Pete helped shape a sound that would change music forever. Over the course of his career, he has co-written and produced more than 500 songs, earning two Grammy nominations for Donna Summer’s Bad Girls album and single.From his early days touring with R&B band Linda Laine & The Sinners to his first major hit, Son of My Father, Pete quickly emerged as a hitmaker. Yet it was his pioneering work with Donna Summer that solidified his legacy—blending electronic innovation with bold, conceptual storytelling inspired by his lifelong love of literature. It’s safe to say that I Feel Love stands as one of the greatest dance tracks ever—a legendary song whose influence on pop and dance music still resonates today. 'I Feel Love' Donna Summer Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, check out my monthly show Synthetic Sundays on Louder Than War Radio : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/synthetic-sundays-july-2025/⁠⁠

This week I'm joined by a true trailblazer in the underground electronic and avant-garde scene—Adi Newton, founder of Clock DVA and TAGC. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the newly remastered re-issue of White Souls in Black Suits, Clock DVA’s groundbreaking debut album that helped define the darker, experimental side of post-punk electronics.Adi takes us behind the scenes, sharing unforgettable stories from the chaos and excitement of past tours and live shows. Plus, we journey back to 1970s Sheffield, where the city’s industrial decay sparked a surge of radical creativity. We explore the early days of the electronic scene that shaped Clock DVA—an era of DIY experimentation, boundary-pushing collaborations, and performances with other visionary artists like Cabaret Voltaire.

Today's fascinating and insightful episode of Synthetic Dreams features electronic musician, Ian Boddy.We discuss the making of Caged, his collaborative album with Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle) — now celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special Mute Records reissue, which is out onNovember 28th.  Ian also reflects on the origins of his iconic label DIN, founded in 1999 and now home to 100+ releases across physical and digital formats. We chat about his love for modular synthesis and some of his earliest, most formative musical memories.https://ianboddy.bandcamp.comhttps://dinrecords.bandcamp.comSynthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, check out my monthly show Synthetic Sundays on Louder Than War Radio : ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/synthetic-sundays-july-2025/⁠⁠

This week on Synthetic Dreams, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with Christopher Chaplin — composer, pianist, and electronic musician.Christopher’s music blends classical roots with experimental electronic textures — it’s atmospheric, layered, and deeply personal.We talk about how he first fell in love with music, learning piano as a kid, and how that early connection still shapes the way he writes and performs today.He also shares stories from his collaboration with Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Cluster and Harmonia — a creative partnership that’s produced some truly remarkable work and earned Christopher a unique spot in the world of ambient and electronic music.Creativity definitely runs in the family — Christopher is the son of the legendary comic actor Charlie Chaplin and actress Oona O’Neill.It’s a thoughtful, inspiring chat about creativity, curiosity, and finding your own sound.https://christopherjchaplin.comSynthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, check out my monthly show Synthetic Sundays on Louder Than War Radio : ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/synthetic-sundays-july-2025/⁠⁠

This week's fun and insighful episode of Synthetic Dreams features Dutch electronic duo Weval. Fresh off the release of their fourth studio album, CHOROPHOBIA, on Ninja Tune, Harm and Merijn join us to talk about crafting their most club-focused, danceable record yet — full of driving beats, hypnotic acid lines, and that unmistakable Weval warmth.Despite its title meaning “fear of dancing,” CHOROPHOBIA is an album that practically dares you not to move. In this candid and inspiring conversation, we explore how the project came to life, the irony behind its name, and how Weval’s sound has evolved since their early days.Synthetic Dreams is presented and produced by Scott ZverblisFollow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Synthetic Dreams on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter / X⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, check out my monthly show Synthetic Sundays on Louder Than War Radio : ⁠⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/synthetic-sundays-july-2025/⁠⁠