One of our users, the very nice and industrious dj_statikfire, came up with the idea to interview us, the guys behind Ihavesynth.com. So, we got a bunch of questions from him, and hopefully, you will all be as curious about us as he is. Here you go!

Geography - Please tell us about where you live, and what you do for a living?

We are two guys, Ulf and Björn, we live in Sweden (Linköping and Stockholm), and we work in the media business - Ulf is the blogging synth geek with an almost life long interest in synths, and Björn is the business and development guy. It’s Ulf answering, by the way.

Matrix - In today's Web 2.0 environment, there are a lot of sites dedicated to synth love out there, what made you decide to start your own?

We wanted to create a site which involve the users to a higher degree, and at the same time function as an information resource about synthesizers, music etc.

What are you trying to accomplish that other sites are perhaps lacking?

Many sites are either very static, or a bit too unstructured (like forums). We also want to give a more visible ”identity” to our users. Hence the name Ihavesynth, since a synth geeks identity pretty much depends on what synths he/she owns. And our concept is based on users showing the world what synths they own and love. We are also developing a revenue system, so our users will get paid depending on how much people read the content they create.

And we have a good blog too :-)

From your RSS feeds, it's clear you enjoy many other sites. Could you tell us a little about your favorite sites, and why you love them so much?

There are some great blogs, like MatrixSynth, Analog Suicide, Synth Gear, Synthmania etc, that all show great dedication and knowledge about synthesizers. Also, Facebook is a great place to meet other synth geeks.

alt.synth.fetish - What are some of your all-time favorite synth tracks and albums?

Number one on the list is forever the track ”Alberto Balsalm” by Aphex Twin, since it has such a unique mood. Also, Depeche Mode is a given, mainly because they have been so consistently good, while other big synth pop bands have had like 3-4 good songs, and the rest is so-so. I feel that way about bands like OMD and Ultravox. By the way, Jarre is overrated (now I’m dead).

Who are some of the new artists you keep track of?

Modern bands that are good – Cut Copy, Bent, frYars, Memory Cassette, Chateau Marmont, Lindstrom, Booka Shade blabla… too many to say really. The problem with electronic music is that there are so many bands that have made ONE good track.

iSuck - In today's world, everyone is using iPhone applications, and other alternative platforms coming online (PSP, DJ Hero, DS Lite, etc). This seems to have created both an expanded market and interest in physical keyboards. What do you think is happening in the synth market these days?

I’m all for new ways of creating music. There is way too much fanatism about the old classic analog synthesizers, like MiniMoog etc. Sure, they sound great, but they are also very rare and expensive (most of them). I would like to see new ideas, and new ways of creating music and synthesizing. It’s a bit too many clones of Moogs, ARPs and so on, both plugins and physical VA synths. I mean, you can’t really count them anymore. It would be great with more entirely new synthesis methods.

I’m sure that Iphone, PSP etc apps will be more and more popular, but most of them will be just toys. But there are really interesting things coming out for the Iphone right now.

To The 9's - Elektron and Jomox fucking rock. There is no question here. Response?

I’m with you on that one, although I don’t like the term ”rock” when it comes to synth gear. You should say that they ”synth”.