Live chat with Daft Punk hosted by M6 Radio, 2001

I finally finished it! Here is a chat DP did online some time in 2001. It was just before Daft Club opened and the album was released in France, so I’m assuming March, but it was listed as being in September…

Anyway, I found this on the Internet Archives— just the first part. The link to the full chat was never archived, but I was able to find the full chat on DW’s blog. The original source had DP’s individual names next to their answers, but DW’s version has no names, so after a certain point I wasn’t sure who was answering and just put “DP”. I also removed questions that Daft Punk did not answer, because most of them were just whining about the moderator not putting their questions through. I tried to keep the formatting as close to the original as possible, for that authentic chat room experience, hehe.

Enjoy!

—

Hello, we are very happy to welcome Daft Punk!

Guy-Manuel: I just got here, Thomas is expected soon, he’s stuck in traffic, it’s nice to be here!

MC303: What guitar equipment, effects, and amps do you use??

Guy-Manuel: We have too much equipment to describe here, but we love vintage equipment (guitars and keyboards from the 60s and 70s).

scop: Do you use anything like audio software for composing?

Guy-Manuel: Logic audio.

DJVinnie: When does the album come out in France? The 10th or the 12th?

Guy-Manuel: The 12th.

Gerald: Hello Thomas and GuyMan, I would like to know what inspires you to create your music?

Guy-Manuel: The inspiration is not necessarily conscious, we make music spontaneously, but it’s true that we have listened to many styles of music since we were young.

dj Discount: What sample did you use for the song ONE MORE TIME?

Guy-Manuel: It’s a sample cut up into several bits that do not really resemble the original.

daftman: Why did you choose Leiji Matsumoto for the One More Time video? Harlock fan?

Guy-Manuel: Harlock fan!

Lsp_SeBBoSs: What exactly does the Daftclub offer? Is it only for downloading new songs?

Guy-Manuel: Not only new songs but plenty of other surprises and the participation of numerous artists.

I-rev-de-wax: Why did you take so long after the first album to release a new one?

Guy-Manuel: Because we wanted to be sure that we were pleased from beginning to end.

Dido: Will a sequel to the One More Time video be possible?

Guy-Manuel: :-))))

Le peuple de l’herbe: will there be a new DVD for the new album?

DP: Anything is possible, but we’re not working on it at the moment.

VINZ: When will we see the dog again in your videos?

DP: He was in the video we made: Fresh (on the first DVD).

marcolys: Who plays the guitar solo in harder better?

DP: We both play different parts of the album.

weezmen: How do you work on your songs? Together? Or each of you creates something independently?

DP: There is no specific rule, one of us might start on his own, the important thing is that we’re musically on the same wavelength.

Phen: Hey Guy! I wanted to know if you play video games, because I find that some of your songs are a little “video games”! :) [The part in quotes was in English originally]

DP: Yes, we are fans of video games, on computers and consoles.

ed: hi daftpunk, as a French band representing French culture why do you write songs in english?

DP: We don’t think we are particularly representatives of French culture, House Music and electronic music have an international aspect that erases borders.

Colossus: Guy, are you still releasing records on your label Crydamoure?

DP: Yes, but we are working on an album project at the moment.

valentine: How long have you worked on such a gem with so much sophistication?

DP: 2 and a half years, thank you for the compliment.

Le peuple de l’herb: Do you identify as more house or techno?

DP: The more music we make, the less we know how to classify it.

Darlin: do you each have a defined role in the group, or do you perform according to how you feel?

DP: According to how we feel— not being virtuosos, and not having specific instruments for each of us, we don’t really have the ego of musicians who specialize in an instrument.

funkad: on the second album there are a lot of lyrics, did you write them or did you ask someone else to?

DP: We wrote some of the lyrics, but DJ Sneak, Todd Edwards, and Romanthony participated in writing them.

LarRgO32: do you think about making tracks featuring other French artists like Superfunk for example?

DP: No plans scheduled for the moment but when we have the time, we’ll be open to many ideas.

dark.web: Does the world of video games interest you? would you be willing to write a soundtrack for a game like David Bowie did?

DP: That could be very interesting…

Gerald Mounard: Hello again, I’m wondering if we’ll have the chance to see you on tour, in France of course, soon?

DP: We will work on the Daft Club this year (releasing new music each week) and live shows will probably not be until next year.

underground resistan: what is the name of the vocoder that you used for one more time and is there a way to get it?

DP: Yes, it’s a machine called autotune on sale in electronic equipment stores.

rabzzaj: hello, do you consider yourselves activists, and if so, what causes are you for?

DP: Open-mindedness, creative freedom, and tolerance in art are things that interest us.

Discovery: Discovery = Very Disco = Veridis quo?

DP: Discover Y

Tomix: Do you think you are involved in the evolution of electronic music, or do you consider yourselves as actors and don’t think about doing releasing something new?

DP: Innovation is not the only important merit in electronic music; nevertheless, we try to make new things that have not been seen already.

KSK: how long have you been making music and how did you start?

DP: We have been making music for ten years. We started like teenagers who all sooner or later want to be in a rock band.

nickel: Are you planning to organize a remix contest like Laurent Garnier did for his latest album on the internet?

DP: The Daft Club will offer separate elements from certain songs on our album: people will be able to remix as they see fit. The idea of contests or competitions is not being considered for now.

le_chameau_maske: alright hello daft punk! I know you’re not reading what I write because of the moderator, but I wanted to tell you that I love your music and keep up the good work you are the only ones who excite me!

DP: We read it! Thank you very much. [Literally “thank you with all my heart”]

Kiproko: do you realize the amount of fans you have around the world or is this abstract to you??????

DP: It’s very abstract to us. It doesn’t really matter :-))))

redbox: what do you think, musically speaking, of the fakes circulating on Napster? Like “pierre stupid” or “smoothe”… [These were tracks from a fake “beta version” of Discovery]

DP: It’s fun to listen to Daft Punk songs that we haven’t made. Some of them are not bad at all.

dj quoi: does the fact that you were not recognized in France at the beginning of your career disappoint you?

DP: No, not at all.

nunurs: are you going to perform the new songs tonight at max?

DP: No, a new track will be available on Monday on the Daft Club.

Le people de l’herbe: At the end of the One More Time video when the soldiers arrive on land, is this an allusion to the police banning raves?

DP: :-)))))

madnac: tell me DAFT, are you for or against MP3s?

DP: We are for music in all its forms, including MP3.

Georges Clinton: What did you listen to when you were young? and now?

DP: We listened to you George :-))))

I-rev-de-wax: is it true that there’s a non-censored version of the ‘one more time’ video? if so, will there be more?

DP: :-))))) No, the version seen on TV is the full version.

indelible: There is a lot of influence from “black music” in your music: house, electro, funk… Do you like reggae? if so, which group?

DP: Yes, we really appreciate reggae— Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru, Third World among others.

dark.web: How does it feel to be labeled “French touch” as our Anglo-Saxon friends say?

DP: There’s not really an effect, it’s only a label, that’s all, with its advantages and disadvantages.

funkad: hello again, by the way, what does Daft Punk mean to you?

DP: Dogs Androids Firemen Tomatoes Pizza Unconventional No Komment.

le_chameau_maske: are the lyrics for “something about us” derived from a personal experience?

DP: The robots also have a heart behind the integrated circuit.

nikkoLeChinois: What address can we send things to?

DP: Labels A, 80, rue des Tournelles 75003 Paris.

DJ ACTIS: Will there be an event planned in Paris for the release of the album?

DP: No…

redbox: What is your opinion on using ecstasy at raves? Can it add to the music or does it spoil everything?

DP: It’s too much of a personal question for each individual to be able to give a general answer.

dj Discount: If the president invited you to the Elysee what would be your reaction?? :-)) [The Elysee Palace is the French president’s official residence]

DP: We tend to stay as far away as possible from such institutions.

Waterend: Well, I’m not much to listen to like Max on Fun but I’m a radio host in Ajaccio and would you be interested in coming on my show?

DP: We are stuck in Paris, but we love Corsica.

Gerald Mounard: Do you have any hobbies in your free time?

DP: Bodybuilding and tanning mostly.

PunkYMix: Are you going to continue Daft Punk for a long time or do you think you will work separately?

DP: Thank you everyone and excuse the moderator who cannot pass on all of your questions, he is doing the best he can! We have managed to combine Daft Punk and our personal projects for many years and for the moment, we will continue like that.

Audrey: How did you get to know each other?

DP: In 4eme on the benches at school. [4eme is the equivalent of 8th grade in the US; Thomas had been moved up to Guy-Man’s grade level]

Geri: INTERNET???????? What do you think of it???????????

DP: It’s good!!!!!!!!!!!!! Log on to Daft Club and you’ll see precisely what we want to do with the internet.

Phinedo: When will there be a collaboration with the whole French scene… AIR, Etienne de Crecy, Kojak…

DP: Everyone is busy with their own projects, but it would be nice to get everyone together within a few years and work on a mega jam.

Rom-1: Do you intend to make a new remix like Mothership Reconnection soon?

DP: We are going to make remixes from the album that will be available to download on the Daft Club.

weezmen: What are your projects for the future. Another album? Will you look after your labels?

DP: No new album right away, but there will be a crydamoure compilation soon.

vibroboy: Are you past 35 hours [per week]? [35 hours a week is considered full-time employment in France, as opposed to 40 in the US]

DP: Yes, per day :-))))))))

med: are you interested in artists who are becoming famous online without being on a label?

DP: We are not very familiar with what happens online, but we want to know more.

brazilli: Please… moderator, can you pass on my question to DAFT?? I think Parisian clubbing (if it really existed for longer than a day) is faltering, and the Dark-Electro and Jazz-Techno scenes are the only ones with an original punch. What will be your experimental scene in the future (which sound??)?

DP: Dark-jazz?

eric18: i’m trying one last time with the famous moderator, what is your favorite techno label?

DP: Underground Resistance, Plus8 which no longer exists, many of the labels from 4-5 years ago.

je-rev-de-wax: i was surprised not to see [a track] featuring Alan Braxe or Benjamin Diamond: have you finally cut ties with the Stardust venture?

DP: Not at all, Benjamin and Alain are also busy with their own projects, they are still very good friends.

Orel1: Are you disappointed that you were not nominated for and did not receive awards like a victoire de la musique or grammy or others? [The Victoires de la Musique are sort-of the French equivalent of the Grammys]

DP: To win an award at the victoires de la musique, you have to apply; we do not apply.

Balisto: Please moderator!!!!!!!!! will the remixes from daft club be more oriented towards the dance floor, as you know it best?

DP: Some but not all.

Guest37: oh, you who censors!!!! pass on my question: i just want to thank you for finally getting to hear your music on radio stations which I will not name and ask you if a rolling and scratching 2 was ever planned?

DP: Thank you for your support; rolling and scratching 2 = rock n’roll (from Homework).

Samen: is it thomas singing on Something About Us??? ;))

DP: Ha ha :-))))))

red box: Is a collaboration with rappers, rockers, or pop-stars (like Mirwais with Madonna) possible in the near future?

DP: :-))))))) Why? Why not?

Sam: Are you inspired by Jean Michel Jarre?

DP: He has inspired us.

alexandre: i just want to know one thing— the address for daft club

DP: www.daftclub.com, it opens Monday.

DJ david Saliman: and do you like bob sinclar?

DP: We love Le Magnifique, Belmondo is great. [I think the question is referring to Bob Sinclar, the DJ who basically stole Thomas’ work. His alias comes from the main character from the French movie Le Magnifique, played by Jean-Paul Belmondo. DP throwing some serious shade…]

dj quoin: what’s a typical day for a member of daftpunk?

DP: Well, métro-robot-dodo. [They’re making a horrible, cheesy pun on a French phrase “métro, boulot, dodo”, which literally means “subway/metro, work, sleep”, used to mean “work work work” or “the same old routine” or something like that.]

tibo: What do you think about Mirwais’ swift rise to fame?

DP: Respect to Taxi Girl, he is someone with a lot of talent and a lot of ideas.

brazilli: The question everyone is asking: where are you performing tonight?

DP: We’re not performing tonight, get the word out.

Le people de l’herbe: come on moderator: why did you choose Romanthony to sing on one more time?

DP: Because Cher was not available anymore :-)))))

DJ ACTIS: What do you think about the 2 step [they say “to step” but clearly mean two-step] wave coming to France?

DP: It’s good, but we eagerly wait for the 3step wave (it’s going to be bad).

Samen: can Daft Punk welcome a new member?

DP: Yes, a third leg to dance the 3step :-))))

Elecmutec: Who are your idols?

DP: And by the way, the new experimental sound is not dark-jazz but 3step. R2D2 and C-3PO for our idols!

Casque Ouie: How do you see yourselves in the future?

DP: We are not fortune tellers, we focus instead on the present.

Funkda: did you stay in France to make this album? Have you traveled?

DP: 90% of the album was made in the same Homestudio where we did Homework, the remaining 10% was spent in New Jersey with Romanthony and Todd Edwards.

sabrina: honestly would you accept a woman in the group? a female voice would be good!!!

DP: There is a female voice on the track available on the Daft Club on Monday.

Sam: What is for you the best training: learning at home on your computer, taking classes… for making electronic music?

DP: There is no rule.

subjex: Go moderator… STP! [acronym for ‘s’il te plait’; ‘please’ in English] What does techno represent for you today?

DP: A frame of mind more than a musical style.

Quark_adnweb.com: Will there be a live show on the internet?

DP: Why not? [this was answered in English for whatever reason…]

Matt: Do you still mix house?

DP: We don’t mix anymore for the moment but we still record house tracks.

daft man: if you were asked would you work on a soundtrack like Matrix 2 for example

DP: Why not.

Samen: one last attempt: Will the Daft Trax label one day welcome other artists?

DP: Guy-Man’s label Crydamour [isn’t it Crydamoure? this must be Thomas hehe] already welcomes other artists.

funkad: to be frank, which one of you is better? Thomas or Guy?

DP: Thoguy.

Balisto: How long will the daft club last?

DP: Until December 31, 2002.

dj Discount: Do you have a “scoop” to reveal to the faithful gathered tonight on the internet?

DP: The name of the first new track on the Daft Club: “Ouverture”.

arias: hello. Will your video clips be available on the daft club?

DP: We’re working on that now.

brazilli: Do you plan to perform at the SONAR festival in Barcelona, in my opinion one of the most challenging (qualitatively) techno dates in Europe?

DP: It’s a great festival, we have already played a live show there 3-4 years ago.

rallydaft82: you are the kings of electronic music, I love you!

DP: mdf [which is (sort of) explained a few lines down…]

Protoform: What will be your next music video? An idea, a director?

DP: It’s a surprise…

ThereCanBeOnlyWAX: your favorite track on the album?

DP: Something digital about better vision to face.

DJ ACTIS: Will there be a Daft Punk store on daft club where we may eventually buy t-shirt cd…?

DP: No, from the moment you get the Daft Club card, all the content to exclusively download will be free.

Audrey: Stp MOD: How did you debut on the Soma label?

DP: MDF. We met Soma during the summer of 1993 and they have supported us up to now..

Audrey: what is MDF?

Charlimingus: Mort de faim [which means ‘starved to death’]

DP: Mini Digitaliser Funky :-)

Daftyo$: how long does it take to make a track??

DP: Between 2 hours and 6 weeks per track.

djmccool: why don’t you make tracks with the great masters like you (jack de marseille, josh wink, djhell…)?

DP: Lack of time, it would be a pleasure.

NUNOBLACK: when are you coming to Portugal?

DP: We don’t know. [answered, oddly, in English again]

Thank you very much Daft Punk, final words?

DP: Thank you all for our support all these years and get together on Monday at www.daftclub.com. Thank you again really your compliments have touched our hearts.