“I’m relieved to look back and say ‘Okay, we didn’t mess up too much’”: Thomas Bangalter on the end of Daft Punk
What lessons has Bangalter taken from his time with Daft Punk that he applies to his current work
In an exclusive interview, Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter reveals what lead to the end of the iconic electronic music duo. He shares his thoughts, reminiscing 28 years of ground-breaking music and personal growth.
The French musician, who formed Daft Punk with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, announced their split in February, leaving fans around the world heartbroken. However, Bangalter shows no signs of despair, instead expressing a sense of relief and satisfaction when looking back on his career.
“The beauty of it is that we were able to do it our way”
“We always had a singular vision about what we wanted Daft Punk to be, and we didn’t want to compromise that. We didn’t mess up too much, I think,” he stated boldly.
He further added, “We had ups and downs, made mistakes. But, at the end of it, I think we stayed true to our sound, and we didn’t let success change us. I’m relieved to say that”.
Ending Daft Punk
When asked about the end of Daft Punk, Bangalter maintained that it was not a spontaneous decision. Rather, it was something that he and Homem-Christo deliberated over for a long time.
“You get to a point where you realize that you’ve said everything you wanted to say, musically. You then either choose to repeat yourself or stop,” he disclosed. He further said that they mutually decided it was time to end Daft Punk on a high note.
What’s next?
On upcoming plans, Bangalter says he will continue to be involved with music, albeit in a different capacity. He wishes to use his experience in Daft Punk to mentor and assist upcoming musicians. As he frankly puts it, “I am not walking out of music. I’m just embarking on a new journey”.
Until then, Daft Punk’s musical legacy continues to inspire worldwide, changing the face of electronic music forever.