Qhen they announced the end of their shared art project, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo left many fans speechless. At the time of their dissolution, in fact, Daft Punk were at the peak of worldwide success. And no one would have foreseen a farewell. Now, two years after that choice, the two have explained it the motivations.
Daft Punk’s Bangalter: «The last thing I want to be is a robot»
In an interview with BBC, Thomas Bangalter – one half of the electronic music duo – has finally revealed what was behind their choice to leave the scene. «The last thing I want to be in the world we live in in 2023 is a robot».
He referred to their showing up always dressed as robots, with face covered. «Thanks to the two robotic characters, Daft Punk have put in crisis the border between reality and fiction. It was very important for Guy-Manuel and I to avoid spoiling the narrative as it was happening.”
The impact of technology in today’s life, however, has prompted the duo to some reflections. «I love technology as a tool but I’m also somewhat terrified by the nature of the relationship between machines and ourselves. Now that our story is over, it seemed interesting to me to reveal part of our creative process, based on humans rather than any algorithm,” Bangalter told the BBC.
Daft Punk live with The Weeknd on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, on the occasion of the Grammy Awards ceremony. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Artificial intelligence and the music of Daft Punk
During the interview with BBCBangalter – out next April 7 with his first solo album in over twenty yearsby title Mythologies – has continued. “My concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence go beyond its use in music creation.”
And then a declaration of intent. “In Daft Punk we tried to use these machines to express something extremely moving, which a machine can’t hear, but a human being can. We have always been on the side of humanity and not on the side of technology: as much as I love this character of mine, the last thing I want to be in the world we live in in 2023 is a robot».
A career that made history
Daft Punk’s music isn’t just a point of reference for electropop lovers. Their international impact was, in fact, immense. In twenty-eight years of career, the two artists have brought their sounds to everyone’s attention. They have been courted by the biggest international stars and, through their four studio albums (to which many collaborations and remixes are added), have left an indelible mark on global music.
The decision to leave the scene had been communicated to their audience via the epic video Epilogue. Daft Punk conquered seven Grammy Awards. Two awards in 2009: Best Dance Recording For Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Alive 2007) And Best Dance/Electronic Album For Live 2007. Instead, five in 2014: with the album Random Access Memories they won in the Album categories of the Year, Best Dance/Electronic Album And Best Recording of a Non-Classical Album. The hit Get Luckyfinally allowed them to win in the categories Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group And Registration of the year.
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