French electronic artist Theobuntu may be carving out a subgenre with his Dreamy Dance sound, but his journey with dance music began long before launching the project in 2020. Known for melodic, high-energy productions and hypnotic live shows, Theobuntu’s tracks blend emotional songwriting with clubby momentum.
In our interview, Theobuntu spoke about the creation of his latest EP, Adult Feelings, reflected on the evolution of his sound, and shared thoughts on building community, creative trust, and the art of making people dance and cry at the same time.
As you launched Theobuntu in 2020, can you take us back to what sparked this project?
What kicked things off was a desire to share and bring people together. I already had that drive back in high school, when my rock band split up because the others lost motivation. That’s when I decided to go solo — but this time with dance music, which I had only just started discovering.
Your genre, Dreamy Dance, is a mix of electronic pop, house, and dance. Who were your earliest influences that shaped this sound?
I was really drawn to cutting-edge electronic artists like Flume, Skrillex, and others who managed to connect both producers and general listeners on the same wavelength. That inspired me to create music that’s both accessible and technically rich — a foundation of UK house mixed with melodic pop.
In contrast, who would you consider your inspiration today?
Nowadays, I look up to artists like Fred Again, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Avaion.
The Artefact has become a core visual element in your project. How did this concept come about, and what does it represent for you?
It all started with a quick freehand sketch for an old cover; I felt like something was missing visually. That shape came to life, and after talking it over with a very creative friend of mine who saw the sketch, we had the idea to actually build it — two meters tall — and to bring it on stage. Two years of design later, it finally came to life during my live shows and became a key symbol, almost like my logo.
What does your typical songwriting and production process look like? Has it changed while working on Adult Feelings?
I don’t have a fixed formula, but vocals usually come last. I often start by building the melodic skeleton—the hook or lead—and then move on to the drums. But lately, I’ve been thinking about flipping that and starting with rhythm to give it more driving energy.
Escape Virtuality and Into Reality explore themes of digital life and rebirth. How do you feel Adult Feelings continues this narrative?
I’d love to say it’s a completely new direction, but honestly, it’s a natural continuation. To me, becoming an adult starts when you’re grounded in the real world — when you feel aligned and aware of the weight and meaning of things.
The fourth track, “Hate Me,” marks a shift toward a more impactful sonic DNA. Can you share how this track came together?
I actually made that track in one night during a writing camp with my team at Plaisir. It was the last song I wrote for the project, and it marked a shift toward a more club-oriented sound. I felt like the EP needed that opening — something that says, “Hey, this could work in a DJ set too.” Something punchier.
How do you typically choose which songs will make it onto a project like Adult Feelings?
I try to build a full range of emotions—different intensities that still feel connected and coherent. It’s about crafting an emotional journey where each track makes sense next to the others.
This EP has just six songs, but can you give us an idea of how many demos you’ve written over the years and how you decide which ones make it to release?
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The further I go with this project, the fewer tracks I end up scrapping. It’s like I’m getting better at knowing where I want to go with each session. Right now, I’d say about one out of three tracks actually makes it to release.
You’ve worked with different collaborators over your releases. How do you choose who to collaborate with?
For me, it has to start with a real human connection. I want to see that people are deeply into their craft, that they understand my project, bring their own flavor, and are ready to have open, honest conversations. They need to believe in my project and contribute meaningfully to the vision.
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If you could work with any artist or producer in the world, who would it be and why?
Right now, I’d say Fred Again — because of everything he represents, he just seems so human, humble, and in love with music. He radiates good energy and knows how to bring people together while telling beautiful stories.
You have 14 tour dates for summer 2025. What can fans expect from your live shows?
The set is melodic, uptempo house. It starts at 135 BPM and climbs up to 142 BPM. My goal is to make people cry while dancing. I want it to be emotionally intense but also hypnotic, through the energy and momentum that builds throughout the set.
Purchase Theobuntu – Adult Feelings via this link.
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