Select Start

Select Start is a Tampa-based ensemble that emerged in the mid-2000s, carving out a niche at the crossroads of the power pop boom and the burgeoning video game remix (OC ReMix) community. Their sound identity is characterized by a 'neon' aesthetic, utilizing dense synth layering, 8-bit chiptune leads, and the polished vocal harmonies typical of the era's emo-pop scene.

Unlike many of their contemporaries who used electronics as mere atmospheric backing, Select Start integrated sequencing and synthesis as primary melodic drivers, often mirroring the technical complexity of progressive game scores. Their career arc is unique for its split focus: they maintained a presence as an original touring band while simultaneously gaining significant traction for their high-fidelity arrangements of classic game themes. Critically, they are viewed as a bridge between the DIY aesthetic of early internet game-music culture and the commercial polish of 2000s independent pop. Their influence is most felt in the 'Nintendocore' and synth-heavy pop-punk subgenres, where they are respected for their technical proficiency and melodic sincerity.