Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter Opens Up about Split and Future in BBC Interview

Thomas Bangalter, one half of the iconic duo Daft Punk, recently engaged in a candid discussion about their decision to part ways, their roots, artistic vision, and his upcoming solo projects during a BBC radio interview.

Speaking on BBC 6Music’s ‘The First Time’ series, which explores pivotal moments in musicians’ lives, Bangalter reflected on the influential electronic act’s journey, choices, and final chapter.

After nearly three decades of accomplishments, four acclaimed albums, and countless electrifying performances, Bangalter expressed a sense of contentment, stating that looking back, he’s “relieved and happy to say: Okay, we didn’t mess this up too much.” He admitted that ending Daft Punk felt right and revealed the most common question he’s asked is why they chose to conclude rather than how they managed to endure for so long.

In his words, “It’s like a story or mini saga – sometimes there’s a TV show that holds a special place in people’s hearts… It has its time, and it ends… It’s interesting to have the opportunity to start, have the middle, and then end it.”

Recalling their initial performance in Marseille, around 1994-1995, Bangalter disclosed that his partner Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo was so anxious that he spent much of the show hidden under a table. Whether this stage fright foreshadowed their adoption of the iconic robot helmets remains unclear.

The idea of these robotic personas emerged as a playful notion. Bangalter shared, “I thought it would be fun to have Hollywood special effects guys create these robotic personas… as if they were part of the cantina scene in ‘Star Wars’… It was a strange concept, and neither Guy-Man nor I imagined it would become so monumental.” He humorously admitted that when they were 25, they didn’t envision dressing up as robots for their entire career.

In April, Bangalter had previously touched on Daft Punk’s conclusion prior to the release of his orchestral composition debut album, ‘Mythologies’. Recently, the duo unveiled previously unseen studio footage from the making of their acclaimed record ‘Random Access Memories’. Additionally, an upcoming book will explore their cultural and musical influence, as well as their contributions to audio-visual technology, featuring interviews with figures like Annie Mac, Paul Johnson, and Todd Edwards.