interview by MAGDALENA ROE

Danish powerhouse WhoMadeWho have carved out a distinct place in the global music scene, blending genres and bending expectations. Comprised of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg, the group is celebrated for their unique sonic fingerprint that fuses electronic, rock, and jazz elements. Their music is both emotionally deep and irresistibly danceable a combination that has landed them on some of the most sought-after stages, from Roskilde and Sonar to Burning Man.

The group embraces visual elements in their live performances, creating immersive, otherworldly experiences that transform the stage into a journey through sound and sight and feel something deeper, beyond just the music. While nurturing creativity through innovative audiovisual experiences the trio established ‘The Moment’—a boutique festival series and record label focused on intimate, curated experiences, celebrating artists who think outside the box, aiming for lasting impact rather than following fleeting trends. In our conversation, Jeppe Kjellberg and Tomas Barfod take us behind the scenes of WhoMadeWho, where the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. Their latest album, ‘Kiss & Forget’, is a love letter to impermanence—memories, relationships, and those nights that slip into a hazy blur. It's a journey through emotion, nostalgia, and existential wonder, all wrapped in the band’s signature mix of heartache and melody.

How would you describe the synergies between the three of you, and what is it that makes WhoMadeWho stand out as a trio?

JK: From the start, I felt that we had a unique musical synergy—something stronger than anything I had experienced before forming the group.

TB: We actually have quite different personalities—it's like a chaotic dance where no one knows the steps, yet we never step on each other's toes. At the same time, we share a lot of similarities. We all grew up in the countryside in middle-class families, which has kept us humble in the face of the big experiences we’re having together. Overall, our common ground is that we’re all very positive people.

If you had to describe your sound in just a few words, how would you define it?

JK: Universal embraces of love.

TB: Melodic melancholy that makes you want to dance through both happiness and existential crisis.

Your videos reflect a strong visual language and storytelling. How do you approach translating music into visuals and vice versa? What's the thought process behind fusing your sound with your visual identity? How do you conceptualize the visuals to align with your music?

JK: The visual element is the newest addition to our performance. It’s been a steep learning curve to figure out how to make audio and visuals work together and elevate the loving messages in our music to a new level.

TB: For us, visuals are just as much a part of the music as the sound. It's about finding imagery that feels like it's having the same kind of breakdown the song is having—blurring lines between what's real and what's fiction. We collaborate with directors who "get us," which means they're also slightly unhinged in the best way possible. The goal is to strengthen the feelings the music gives by adding visual content to it.

What is the inspiration behind your artistic vision when it comes to creating these videos?

JK: The desire for renewal is essential for us.

TB: We pull inspiration from everywhere - art, cinema, the occasional weird dream, and late nights in strange places. We're into contradictions. So, if the song is heavy, the video might be light—or vice versa. Basically, we want to create worlds that feel like they've come from another dimension but could also be happening in your living room right now. The goal is to make people feel something additional to the soundscapes and lyrics.

How do you envision the future of electronic music in terms of its visual language and other creative outlets? Do you see new trends emerging?

JK: I believe we’re at a turning point in music history, much like the early '80s when synths and drum machines made a huge impact on pop music. It’s an open-minded period of experimentation and playfulness in the industry. Right now, I think AI has limitless potential, and we’ve only just begun to explore what’s possible.

TB: We’re all going to be plugged into some kind of psychedelic VR matrix soon, aren’t we? Even now, visuals are becoming so integral to electronic music that they’re no longer just an add-on—they’re becoming an immersive experience. We’re seeing more interactive elements, 3D visuals, and AI-generated madness, all driving towards sensory overload, which is what makes it so exciting. You won’t just listen to the music—you’ll be in it. Expect things to get weirder, and probably much cooler. But I still firmly believe that being in a room together and sharing a collective experience, is the heart of a live show.

With your 8th studio album 'Kiss & Forget', can you take us through the creative process and themes that shaped this project? What stories or emotions are you exploring in this album?

JK: It seems like there is a general love theme running through the album. With a lot of twists and turns, it is there in every track of the album.

TB: 'Kiss & Forget' is a love letter to everything fleeting—memories, relationships, nights we can't quite recall. We set out to make an album that feels like waking up the morning after, trying to piece together what happened. There's a lot of emotion here, some nostalgia, a touch of heartbreak, and the usual dose of existential wonder. For the creative process - the way we each have different processes and personalities is a big facilitator of our music.

You've worked with artists like RY X, Blue Hawaii, Adriatique, Kölsch, and Nour. How did these collaborations come to life, and how did their influences shape the tracks you worked on together?

JK: We thrive on collaborating with new artists. The key for us is to stay inspired and have fun—constantly seeking fresh ideas and new perspectives. Every collaboration teaches us something new and pushes us forward creatively. These collaborations and adventures are essential for our growth as a band.

TB: It usually starts with a mutual musical crush and a random message on Instagram like, 'Hey, let's work together.' From there, it’s about finding a vibe that clicks. With RY X, it felt like diving into deep, emotional waters. Kölsch brought big room energy to the tracks, while with Blue Hawaii, it was all about creating something that felt both intimate and expansive. Each collaboration has its own unique flavor, and the best ones happen when we’re all slightly outside our comfort zones.

You've created your own boutique festival series, featuring like-minded artists and a sound that reflects WhoMadeWho's core. When did you start this festival series, and what's the inspiration behind its concept?

JK: For me, Creating The Moment is about giving something back to our home country. It’s an opportunity to invite friends and like-minded artists from around the world to Denmark, bringing the incredible music scene we’re part of back home. While being a promoter can be stressful, it brings new energy and exciting possibilities to our band."

TB: We started the festival series because, well, why not create our own little utopia? The idea was to create a space where people could experience music the way we imagine it—immersive, intimate, and full of surprises. It’s not about packing thousands of people into a field; it’s about crafting a shared experience. The inspiration? We wanted to curate something that feels like a secret party with your favorite artists and friends. Think small, personal, and with way more soul than your typical mega-festival.

What's your long-term vision for your boutique festival series and your label 'The Moment'? How do you see it evolving within the world of WhoMadeWho?

JK: We are considering many options these days. Will probably take the circus on the road.

TB: We're playing the long game with 'The Moment' and the festival. We want it to grow, but never lose that intimate, curated vibe. Maybe more festivals in different parts of the world, keeping that same close-knit energy. The label is about nurturing artists who have that undefinable "it"—people who think outside the box or send something that's really unique. We're not in it to become a giant machine or release dance tracks that last a month in the club. We just want to keep doing special things with people who get it.

Following the release of ‘Kiss & Forget’, what's next for WhoMadeWho? Are there any new projects, remixes, or releases already in the works?

TB: Of course! We never really stop. There’s more music on the way—new remixes, collaborations, and some other projects we can’t quite talk about yet. We’re also looking to evolve our live shows by incorporating even more visual elements. We’re already working with designers and architects on that. We’re always chasing the next exciting idea—something that’ll keep both us and the audience on our toes.

Listen to WhoMadeWho’s album, Kiss & Forget, here.

IN CONVERSATION WITH WHOMADEWHO

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