SHORT BIO
New Wave mixtapes for starry-eyed dreamers With catchy dance jams that belong on a mixtape with your favorite classic new wave and synth pop hits, 90 Minute Cassette is nostalgic yet fresh. The Kansas City duo made up of Chuck Whittington on guitar/vocals (namelessnumberheadman, Madisen Ward, Summer Breeze) and Hillary Watts on synths/ vocals (The Hillary Watts Riot) creates a vibe that fuses analog sunsets and digital sunrises. 90 Minute Cassette is currently promoting their upcoming single, Fire, releasing January 16, mastered by grammy-winning mastering engineer Anna Frick. They are thrilled to keep making energetic, retro-futuristic live shows for excited audiences.
GENRE
New wave/synth pop/indie electronic
RIYL
Nation of Language, Cut Copy, Human League, Duran Duran
VIDEOS
QUOTES
“Hold Back the Water is a perfect synth-pop jam.” – Nick Spacek, The Pitch
“Tunes sure to delight anyone who still cherishes their Pretty in Pink soundtrack.” – Too Much Rock
“El nuevo sencillo de 90 Minute Cassette que enamorará tus oídos (New single by 90 Minute Cassette that will make your ears fall in love.)” – Zone Nights
“Palpable retro vibes.” – Rogue VHS
“Now that was a hoot. And I don’t say that lightly.” – Sound guy at RINO
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky
UPCOMING SHOWS
VENUES
Lemonade Park, Lucia (Lawrence), The Ship, minibar, The Church Arthouse (Omaha), Kirby’s Beer Store (Wichita)
BANDS PLAYED WITH
The Embarrasmen, Major Matt Mason USA, Cavedivers, Emmaline Twist, Various Blonde, Luna Worldcast, Re.vis.er, Redder Moon
FULL BIO
With catchy dance jams that belong on a mixtape with your favorite classic new wave and synth pop hits, 90 Minute Cassette is nostalgic yet fresh. The Kansas City duo made up of Chuck Whittington on guitar/vocals and Hillary Watts on synths/vocals creates a vibe that fuses analog sunsets and digital sunrises. Versatility has always been a musical strength for 90 Minute Cassette’s driving force, Chuck Whittington. From his role as guitarist/synthesist/singer/producer for long-time electro-folk-rock-indie-experimental band namelessnumberheadman to playing bass for KC folk music hero Madisen Ward (and sometimes also the Mama Bear) to being a founding member/keyboardist for over 15 years for KC’s premier yacht rock band, Summer Breeze, he molds to what each group needs. But when starting a new group with his partner/girlfriend Hillary Watts (lead singer/songwriter in the eponymously named freak pop band The Hillary Watts Riot and the role of Cindy Wilson for KCs favorite B-52s tribute, Love Snack), Chuck wanted a band where he could pare down to only guitar and vocals (on stage, at least) and focus on putting on a good show. And Hillary and Chuck both wanted to make something different from what they had done before. As the two brainstormed ideas of what kind of music to create, they recalled their younger years each taping songs from the radio so they could listen to their favorite songs whenever they wanted. They compiled a playlist of songs they wanted to sound like: Duran Duran, INXS, Human League, Tears for Fears…it was the synths and beats of New Wave and Synth Pop. What drives the duo is a desire to recreate the excitement of hearing new and surprising sounds, the feeling of hope and promise of a soaring chorus, and the ache in the heart of a melancholy tune…and to cram all of that together using shimmering synths and huge drum machine beats that make you move your feet. As they work to create a new mixtape for 2025, they hope their music serves as an emotional connection with their audience. Their newest single “Fire” (out January 16, 2026) is about growth and transformation. The nimble beat strikes the match while the bass line evokes a tiptoeing cat burglar in a heist movie. The lyrics begin in confusion, waking in surprise into anxiety and threat. Each chorus explodes into full blaze with the song’s thesis of allowing the fire to “find out what is inside.” The fire challenges, but it also transforms and purifies us. The duo recorded “Fire” at home using their synth collection (and a few pieces of gear borrowed from friends) and mastered by Grammy-winning mastering engineer Anna Frick.