Q&A: Coupdekat Pushes the Boundaries of Experimental Pop With New Single, “cdjs”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY FAITH LUEVANOS ☆
TRANSPORTING HERSELF INTO EMOTIONS OF THE PAST – experimental pop artist and DJ Coupdekat has compiled what were once such vivid memories into her new single, “cdjs.” The track comes from the London-based artist’s old diary entries, in which she immerses herself in the headspace of her past self. She shares, “‘cdjs’ is the first on a journey of self-reflection and coming of age.”
Coupdekat is an artist who is constantly evolving, paving her way through the experimental pop genre by blending upbeat dance tracks with heavy and introspective lyrics that are sure to have listeners hooked instantly. Lines such as, “some memories they stick around and stay, some memories they warp and conjugate, my memory of you they fractalize,” bring the listener along on her reflective journey and invoke feelings of nostalgia mixed with a sort of longing for those discarded memories.
As an integral component of the London music scene, Coupdekat prides herself on not only being an artist but also a beacon of light within the underground scene as the co-founder of LOUD LDN and Club Gunk, two collectives that create an enriching and welcoming space for underground artists to showcase their talents.
Luna had the opportunity to chat with Coupdekat about the creation of “cdjs”, her underground music collectives, and this new chapter she’s embarking on. Read the full interview below.
LUNA: Your music has such a refreshing, yet nostalgic sound. How did you originally discover your sound?
COUPDEKAT: Thanks! Honestly, I just mixed everything I like together like 70s/80s instrumentals patchworked together with newer themes in my lyricism, or dance drums. I want to create the ultimate hybrid, so I'm very glad you heard that.
LUNA: What energy do you hope listeners are feeling when they hear your new single, “cdjs”?
COUPDEKAT: Maybe calm and reflective? “cdjs” is about keeping your peace with change and moving with it, not grasping at the past. It’s not an angry or sad song, it's more of a thoughtful one.
LUNA: It was mentioned that “cdjs” is based on a series of diary entries. Can you share how you compiled those separate thoughts to make one cohesive song?
COUPDEKAT: Well, I often journal when I'm on the train. I used to take trains daily into London before I moved there, and at that time, going or returning would be my only time to properly digest my feelings. I wanted “cdjs” to feel like those train rides. I often wrote about the past and similar themes so I think it manages to stay cohesive because of that.
LUNA: Rereading those old diary entries and memories, was it difficult to put yourself back into that headspace that you’ve already moved past? Or did it feel more like revisiting an old friend?
COUPDEKAT: It felt super peaceful actually. I rarely read back on my writing, but when I do it’s like the second stage of understanding, the stage of reflecting on your reflections. I should do it more often (laughs).
LUNA: Do you have a favorite line in the song that sticks out the most to you?
COUPDEKAT: “I think we painted the walls a dark blue, or was that just the color of your eyes?”
This resonates with my current memory of my teenage years. It really shocked me, but actually, memories I thought were so deeply engraved have started to fade or combine. I feel like this line perfectly captures this confusion.
LUNA: You’re the co-founder of different parties/events that help promote the local underground DJ scene. What are these parties like and how do they welcome new faces?
COUPDEKAT: They are VERY fun and super welcoming. When I moved to London, I felt so overwhelmed by the scale of it and the lack of community. I wanted to hear my favorite songs in cool spaces with crazy people my age, so the parties seemed an obvious and feasible option. Now I organize under Club Gunk and we intend to make going out in London affordable and showcase THE BEST underground artists.
LUNA: What’s your take on the importance of creating these sorts of spaces and how they benefit the music community?
COUPDEKAT: So, so, so important, for real. Meeting people with similar sounds and aspirations made me feel so much more confident in my work and less alone. Also, seeing my peers perform has been super inspiring too!
LUNA: What’s your calling card? Something that pops up frequently in your music that lets people know, “This is Coupdekat.”
COUPDEKAT: Emo guitar loops!
LUNA: This is the first release of the new project that you hinted at on social media. Can you share any information about this next chapter for you?
COUPDEKAT: Lots and lots of new music soon that I'm very proud of. My next single, “soda pop!” is out now!
