The Bat-Light Series #10: Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

The Bat-Light Series #10: Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

As I’ve always had a fascination for series that open with a powerful synth theme — the kind that envelops you in its atmosphere before the story even begins — few recent scores have left as deep an impression as the iconic Stranger Things introduction. In this edition, the bat-light turns toward a more contemporary force in electronic music: Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein.

Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein emerged from the electronic underground of Austin, Texas as founding members of the experimental synth quartet S U R V I V E, where their shared fascination with analog synthesizers, atmospheric textures, and sci-fi inspired sound design first took form. Joined by Mark Donica and Adam Jones, the group built a cult following through limited cassette releases, immersive DIY performances, and a meticulous devotion to vintage hardware, eventually appearing at festivals such as Moogfest, Levitation Fest, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Beserktown, Day in the Desert and Decibel, while sharing stages with acts like Goblin, John Maus, Tame Impala, A Place To Bury Strangers, Max Cooper and many others. Their music, once described by Noisey as “transcendental” live, evolved across numerous EPs and two full-length albums, culminating in their Relapse Records release RR7349, a sweeping, analog-driven work blending grim tom-tom thunder, meditative ambience and percussive rhythms inspired by IDM and classic horror scores. Their musical approach also reflects clear influences from pioneers such as Tangerine Dream and Vangelis, whose cinematic synth landscapes helped shape Dixon and Stein’s atmospheric and forward-thinking style. This distinctive aesthetic eventually caught the attention of the Duffer Brothers, who had long admired their sound and used S U R V I V E’s music in the early pitch materials for what would become Stranger Things. Impressed by the group's cinematic approach to electronic composition, they invited Dixon and Stein to create the score for the series. Their work became integral to the show’s atmospheric identity across its seasons, bringing their analog synth-driven style to a global audience and further solidifying their position as key figures within both the synthwave movement and contemporary soundtrack culture. Today, Dixon and Stein continue to bridge underground synth artistry with mainstream visibility, preserving the innovative spirit that made S U R V I V E a cornerstone of modern electronic music.

Selected track: Stranger Things (Extended) — featured on Stranger Things – Volume Two, this edition expands the main theme into a full-length piece, allowing its analog arpeggios and atmospheric layers to unfold far beyond the opening credits. Originally shaped from a simple experiment with layered synth sequences, the extended version highlights the depth and texture of Dixon & Stein’s signature sound.

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