Brian Hazard's - Color Theory -- Synth-pop, Synthwave from Huntington Beach, CA.

80's synthpop is in Brian Hazard's blood, but he mostly listens to Electronic Dance Music these days. His distinctive brand of literary dance pop draws from both, fleshed out with rich piano voicings. Anyone who took music lessons as a kid calls themselves "classically trained," but Hazard went the distance, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. Immediately after graduation, he left Beethoven and Brahms behind to pursue his first musical inspiration, Depeche Mode.

The line between inspiration and imitation blurred when Hazard's song "Ponytail Girl" spread like wildfire on Napster, mislabeled as a Depeche Mode b-side. Despite both parties' efforts to set the record straight (depechemode.com went so far as to address the mix-up in their FAQ), bootleg versions of Depeche Mode's Exciter album were sold around the world with "Ponytail Girl" included as a so-called bonus track. Hazard used the incident as the basis for a tribute album to the band, Color Theory presents Depeche Mode.

Since then, Hazard has emerged from the shadow of his childhood heroes to become an artist in his own right. The Orange County Register acclaimed, "Hazard writes songs that are intensely personal and uses technology to enhance material that is as emotive as the best folk." Highlights include winning the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, two songs in the hit video game Rock Band, and several song placements on MTV's The Real World.

The offical website is at www.colortheory.com.

In the age of Napster, Color Theory, aka synth artist Brian Hazard, found success after his track “Ponytail Girl” was widely shared after being mistaken for a lost Depeche Mode B-side.

Since then, the Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer has gained more than 15 million plays across streaming platforms with his own distinctive brand of melancholy synthpop.

Besides winning the grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Hazard has found his quirky, nostalgic songs being placed in popular video games (Just Dance, Rock Band) and TV shows (MTV’s The Real World).

Member: Brian Hazard
Location: Huntington Beach, CA.

Website: https://colortheory.com/
https://www.hanewinkel-photo.de/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/colortheorymusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colortheory
X - Twitter: http://twitter.com/colortheory
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/colortheory
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/colortheory
Bandcamp: https://colortheory.bandcamp.com/


Color Theory - Dungeons (AMV)




Color Theory - Rogues (AMV)




Color Theory - Cakewalk (MAIN Remix) AMV




Color Theory - In Motion (Night Raptor Remix)




Color Theory - Glory Days (Marco Dassi Remix)




Oceanside85 ft. Color Theory - Neon Lights




Color Theory - Drive You Home (A Blue Ocean Dream Remix)




Color Theory - Wrath (Rogue VHS Remix)




Color Theory - She's Made of Wires (Lyric Video)




Color Theory - The Limit (Official Audio)




Color Theory - Ponytail Girl




Color Theory - Slot Machine




Color Theory - The Rot (Raindancer Remix)




Color Theory - Thoughts Can't Hurt You (Official Audio)

Stop Breathing
by Color Theory





Ever had a panic attack? I have.

Usually I'm hyperventilating, but I'm so caught up in the moment, I don't realize it.

The solution? Stop breathing.

released May 17, 2024

Special thanks to patrons Siimo Kaasik, Heath Sims, Ernesto Peralta, TheLeftExit, James Bloom, Burt Empson, Travis Murdock, Amy BuGoudi, Reina Lorenzi, Tom Martine, John Mondick, and Page One Project


Without a Doubt
by Color Theory & My Manifesto




I've been a fan of My Manifesto for some time now, so I was pleasantly surprised when Nick reached out to me about collaborating.

He specifically wanted to create something in the vein of Construction Time Again, and thought I would be the perfect partner for the job.

How did we do?

released April 5, 2024

Special thanks to patrons Heath Sims, TheLeftExit, Burt Empson, Amy BuGoudi, Tom Martine, Page One Project, Valski, Ernesto Peralta, James Bloom, Travis Murdock, Reina Lorenzi, and John Mondick


Disappear
by Color Theory





“Disappear” navigates the space between waking and dreaming, where fleeting thoughts and unvoiced words collide.

It's in this mental battlefield that I find a profound sense of freedom — the freedom to let go of the personas we cling to and embrace the nothingness that is often feared.

released February 23, 2024

Special thanks to patrons Heath Sims, TheLeftExit, Burt Empson, Amy BuGoudi, Tom Martine, Page One Project, Valski, Ernesto Peralta, James Bloom, Travis Murdock, Reina Lorenzi, and John Mondick


Thoughts Can't Hurt You
by Color Theory




I spent most of my life locked in a losing battle against so-called “intrusive thoughts.”

You can't stop your mind from thinking any more than you can stop your ears from hearing or your skin from feeling.

Thoughts arise spontaneously, all on their own. Over time I learned to treat them as welcome guests rather than intruders.

Surrender.

All non-vocal sounds come from the Elektron Syntakt. The project file is included in the Bandcamp album download.

released January 12, 2024

Special thanks to patrons Valski, Jonathan Albin, Heath Sims, Tom Martine, Ernesto Peralta, TheLeftExit, James Bloom, Burt Empson, Travis Murdock, Amy BuGoudi, Reina Lorenzi, John Mondick, and Page One Project







Underneath These Dying Stars
by Color Theory





I never set out to make a “dark” record.

It just sort of happened. Over the past two years, I wrote about whatever I was feeling at the time, and certain themes naturally emerged.

While I’ve endured more than my fair share of challenges recently, I assure you this isn’t some thinly disguised cry for help! I’ve always been fascinated with bleak subject matter. The older I get, the more eager I am to explore the shadowy depths of the human spirit.

Rest assured, it’s not all death and decay. There’s plenty of optimism to balance things out. In fact, the set kicks off with what might be my most hopeful song yet.

Is it my best album? Quite possibly. It’s certainly the best sounding! It’s also noteworthy because, for the first time, I did all the design and layout myself.

Includes an exclusive 17-page digital booklet

released October 6, 2023

Special thanks to patrons Page One Project, Amy BuGoudi, John Mondick, Burt Empson, Reina Lorenzi, Tom Martine, Travis Murdock, James Bloom, Jonathan Albin, Ernesto Peralta, TheLeftExit, Heath Sims, and Valski.

 Cannot Rain
by &Tilly & Color Theory





“I Cannot Rain” is about feeling beyond sadness, so beaten down that you can’t even bring yourself to cry. All that’s left is emptiness — dry cheeks and silence.

The track started when I sent my Syntakt (an analog synth groovebox) idea to &Tilly. It immediately reminded her of an old poem she’d written, and she quickly adapted it to the song.

Despite the heavy theme, the song also offers a subtle reminder to persevere and live fully even in the midst of despair, because “every life is just a loan” that will one day have to be given back.

released September 6, 2024

Special thanks to patrons Burt Empson, John Mondick, Page One Project, Ernesto Peralta, Heath Sims, James Bloom, Michael, Reina Lorenzi, Siimo Kaasik, TheLeftExit, Tom Martine, Travis Murdock, Daniel Aeschliman, Drik Fellhauer, Eric VanDommelen, Jeffrey Collins, John Oliver, Velma Dinkley, and Walter McIntosh


&Tilly & Color Theory - I Cannot Rain (Official Video)