KADEBOSTANY on “Play This at My Funeral,” His First 50+ Dates Tour & More

Kadebostany is taking the world by storm with his much anticipated fourth album, “Play This at My Funerals.” His songs cumulate over 1 billion streams on YouTube, and over 2 billion on TikTok, dominating the charts in more than 30 countries, establishing himself as one of the most iconic producers and composers of future pop of the decade.

For Guillaume de Kadebostany, creating the album was a profoundly personal experience recorded over a few years in Lausanne, Kyiv, Istanbul, Athens, and Paris. While the 12-track album “Play This at My Funerals” maintains the techno-pop-dreamy sounds that topped him on the charts, the album sees a personal take more than ever. In fact, the record represents a selection of tracks that Kadebostany would like to be played at his own funeral. Of course that made us highly curious so we chatted with Guillaume about his latest album, and why would he play these songs at his funeral.

Hello and thank you for your time. I think “Play This At My Funerals” feels both cerebral and internal, yet a bit more emotional and vulnerable outwardly than anything you’ve released so far. How do you comment on that?

If it feels that way, I’m happy. Because my aim is to create music with utmost honesty.

I gotta ask. Why Funerals, the plural?

Cause I believe that life is comprised of mini-deaths, which foster growth, strength, and a thirst for knowledge, empowering us to conquer obstacles and rise anew.

“Play This at My Funerals” is a deeply personal album, representing a selection of tracks that you would like to be played at your own funeral. Can you elaborate and tell us how this album came to be?

I saw that funeral ceremonies were not very unique, and since I’m a creative person, I wanted to be able to create the soundtrack of my own ceremony when I pass away. I realized that writing speeches for people who have passed away inspired me to write the best love songs ever, and that’s what I had in mind when making the album.

This album definitely stands out in your back catalog as a body of work that is very diverse sonically. How else would you say this album differs from your previous ones?

To maintain freshness and artistic purity, I strive to diverge from my previous albums with each new release, as I have an aversion to repetition. I have a penchant for easily getting bored and therefore seek to infuse novelty into my creative process.

Do you have a special place in mind where people should listen to this album? To best reflect you as an artist?

I’m delighted when people dedicate time to my album, wherever they choose. The songs are rich in intricate details that unveil themselves with each listen, so I highly recommend setting aside time to fully absorb them.

And when people finish listening to “Play This At My Funerals” what do you want them to walk away with?

The irresistible urge to hit the replay button!

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise, or reading poetry play?

I find inspiration in attending opera pieces, and theater performances, and observing people living their lives while sipping on coffee. I don’t follow specific rituals; instead, I rely on my intuitions and follow the light.

When you start designing a new sound, do you already “hear it in your head” or do you just start noodling the knobs and experiment and see what you can come up with?

I have a broad artistic vision for my songs, where I strive to embody the distinctive Kadebostany style while constantly seeking delightful surprises. Inspiration can arise from a single word in my notebook, a nostalgic emotion, or even a captivating sound from my modular synthesizer.

How do you get into the headspace to write something? Are you a “writing at 3 a.m.” type of person? Or are you sporadically making notes on your phone that eventually become something amazing?

I make things when I feel inspired. But I usually feel more inspired in the morning!

Thinking about your evolution, what are some developments in you – whether it’s in your music, your performance, your energy, or the way you work – that you’ve seen real change since your first show and first release?

I am unchanged, and I still desire to achieve big accomplishments, yet I remain uncertain about my path. I continuously learn and place myself in a position of not knowing, always striving to improve my skills.

You’ll be taking to the road for a first 50+ dates tour around Europe. How do you prepare for your live performances?

Getting ready for my big live show is really tough because I don’t just want to play a bunch of songs live. I have to work with several singers, a group of horn players, be in charge of the music, plan the stage setup, and develop my onstage persona as a performer. It’s a lot of stress, but I do it all for the audience. Performing live is incredibly special when it’s done with dedication, and I absolutely love those magical moments of connecting with fans and sharing emotions on stage.

Thanks for your time! Good luck on your tour, and hopefully see you!

Thanks for the interview!! See you