Happy Wednesday, Everyone! What a fun and exciting summer for fans of ’80s style, thanks to a brand new Netflix series, an amazing weekly radio show, and other intriguing developments. Today I’m rounding up the latest in retro-modern news, and throwing in a few fun photos for good measure. Above we see an image from my summer trip to California. Check out more vibrant neon photos in this post. Continue reading for news and links that are sure to pique your interest…
Stranger Things
I’m completely hooked on Netflix’s latest series, Stranger Things, which combines elements of Steven Spielberg films with the eerie quality of a Stephen King novel. Many people have binged watched the series in one weekend. I’m short on sleep this week because I’ve been staying up late every night to watch as much as I can. Throw in an amazing synth soundtrack, impeccable acting and a good dose of nostalgia, and this is summer TV viewing at its best.
New at Mirror80
It’s been a big summer for Mirror80, with lots of photo shoots and some exciting developments. Above we see an image from one of my favorite posts celebrating the plastic shiny wonder of AMAC boxes. And if you’re enjoying Stranger Things and want to keep the ’80s vibes going, check out Beyond the Black Rainbow, a film from 2010 inspired by the VHS movie cases of 1980s horror movies. I talked about this movie, as well as the ins and outs of ’80s design, when I was a guest on SynthWaves, Noah Kaufman’s stellar radio show on KFAI. Listen every Sunday night (or at your leisure) by following this link, and check out my interview here (it begins around 13 minutes in).
A Bit of Magic
I wanted to share an awesome new website with you… It’s filled with ’80s style (check out the design above), and it investigates the six most famous magic tricks of the 1980s, exploring how each one of them truly works. Think David Copperfield and Lance Burton, with a dash of Siegfried & Roy! You’ll love the ’80s look of the site, the synth-y soundtrack, and of course, the facts behind the magic. So. Much. Fun. It’s an audio-visual experience like no other. Welcome to The Secrets of Magic Revealed!
Get Inspired
I’ll end today’s post by reminding you to continue searching for sources of ’80s inspiration. My top recommendation: design books from the Decade of Decadence. Above and below we see images from The Decorating Book by Mary Gilliatt. Don’t forget to join ’80s Design, our new Facebook group and online community for fans of design and decor from the 1980s.
Hope you’re having a retro-fabulous summer! XOXO, Kate
Hi Kate! I like so much this post and the music of “A bit of magic” it’s amazing! Oh! Finally I saw “Pretty in Pink”… LOVE! Have a nice Sunday and a nice week =)
Hi Jano! Happy Sunday to you too! Thanks for your kind words about the post. I’m glad you enjoyed Pretty in Pink. So much ’80s fun, including the fashion and the music! Thanks for getting in touch. I hope all is well in your world!
Hey Kate, Love the site. Stranger Things is an excellent show and I can’t get enough of that John Carpenteresque synth in the opening credits.
I would also like to recommend to other retro things for the site if you haven’t done so already.
Everybody Wants Some is Richard Linklater’s spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused set in 1980 about a college baseball team’s first day at school in a 24 hour period of time. Saw it last night and definitely want to give it another go.
In music, Todd Terje’s “It’s Album Time” is a phenomenal record. There is a mix of styles including samba, synth, “space disco”, etc. It’s absolutely flawless and one of the best albums released this decade. Think of a bit of Beverly Hills Cop “Axel F” and some Miami Vice theme to some degree.
Actually found this site when I was at work looking at old 80’s mall pics on the web. Something I do quite often.
Keep up the good work!
Hey Kate, Love the site. Stranger Things is an excellent show and I can’t get enough of that John Carpenteresque synth in the opening credits.
I would also like to recommend to other retro things for the site if you haven’t done so already.
Everybody Wants Some is Richard Linklater’s spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused set in 1980 about a college baseball team’s first day at school in a 24 hour period of time. Saw it last night and definitely want to give it another go.
In music, Todd Terje’s “It’s Album Time” is a phenomenal record. There is a mix of styles including samba, synth, “space disco”, etc. It’s absolutely flawless and one of the best albums released this decade. Think of a bit of Beverly Hills Cop “Axel F” and some Miami Vice theme to some degree.
Actually found this site when I was at work looking at old 80’s mall pics on the web. Something I do quite often.
Keep up the good work!
PS This is my first post to a blog, so if this was sent twice, please disregard one of them.
Hi Joseph! Thank you for getting in touch! It’s wonderful to chat with someone who is on the lookout for new music with an ’80s feel…and I have to say that “It’s Album Time” is one of my favorites! From start to finish, it’s amazing, and with artists like Bryan Ferry collaborating, how can you go wrong?
Thank you also for the Linklater recommendation. I haven’t yet seen it, and perhaps this is the push that will get me to take the plunge!
Thanks again for your comment–have a wonderful week.
Bryan Ferry is the dude. Actually I totally forgot I’m going to get to see Todd Terje this Friday for my friend’s birthday. Very stoked!
Interesting enough, due to conversation about the Stranger Things soundtrack, a friend just informed me on two retro bands in The Black Queen and Gunship which I enjoyed immensely.
A few more recommendations:
Neon Neon-“Stainless Style” (A concept album about Jack Delorean, the ris and fall of the Delorean Motor Company, and Jack’s affair with Raquel Welch)
Nikki and the Dove-Very Stevie Nicks/Kate Bush
Class Actress (Female Synth Pop-Check out songs “Weekend” and “Journal of Ardency”)
Com Truise(synth instrument mashup)
Prince Rama (check out “Your Life in the End”)
Kate Boy(A dancier Nikki and the Dove)
Hope you enjoy. If you have already mentioned any of this I just haven’t gotten to it yet. Still looking over the site. Thanks for the quick response!
Thank you so much for these recommendations! I love Class Actress and Com Truise. But I haven’t checked out the others, and I look forward to it! Yay for new music with a retro feel! Are you a Neon Indian fan by any chance? Or Classixx? Two more worth checking out…
I do like Neon Indian and have caught Classixx on a mix or two. I will check out their last two albums when I get home from work later today. But judging by who has remixed their songs and the similar artists listed, I am sure I will eat it up.
Son interiores con un estilo increible, los nuevos diseñadores no les queda otra cosa que seguir estos estilos ya porque son realmente los mejores.