WhoMadeWho made its debut on the dance-music circuit in 2004, and since then, it’s been a whirlwind for the genre-defying Danish trio.
Though WhoMadeWho’s Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg are all talents with diverse musical backgrounds, they have solidified themselves as electronic-music mainstays with eight full-length albums, a slew of singles and remixes, plus a memorable set of immersive live shows.
Additionally, their songs have been remixed by some of the most prestigious and talented artists in the scene, including Tale Of Us, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Black Coffee, Hot Chip, Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex, DJ Tennis, BLOND:ISH, and DJ Koze.
As the guys prepared for the release of their latest album, Kiss & Forget, we had a chance to delve deeper into the LP and find out exactly what the project means to them. While they’ve been riding the wave as part of their 20-year journey, The Moment is now – that is, their record label and accompanying music festival, aptly titled “The Moment.”
DJ LIFE caught up with WhoMadeWho group member Tomas Høffding to cover past, present, and future for the trio.
DJ LIFE: How did the group come together?
Tomas Høffding: We came from three different corners of music. Jeppe was rooted in jazz, Barfod was deep into techno, and I came from a rock background. At the time, we each had our own careers going, but one Monday night in Copenhagen, we all got together for the first time. I don’t think any of us expected much, but something just clicked. We jammed for three hours, sent out a demo to three labels, and, surprisingly, got signed almost immediately.
DJ LIFE: Where did the name come from?
Høffding: We needed one quickly after we got signed. Barfod rummaged through his shelves and pulled out an old AC/DC album called Who Made Who. We thought, “Yeah, that works! It’s catchy, a little mysterious, and has a nice nod to rock history.” Plus, we were in such a rush, there wasn’t much time for second-guessing.
DJ LIFE: In what ways did your musical backgrounds and roots in music lead you to the creation of the group?
Høffding: The magic of WhoMadeWho is that we cover such a wide spectrum of music between the three of us. Jeppe’s jazz background brings this experimental edge, Barfod’s techno expertise provides the rhythmic foundation, and my rock influence adds the melodic layers. What makes it special is how these influences spark something in each of us. Instead of clashing, we complement each other. And because we’re each kind of “experts” in our own fields, we don’t argue much about the basics – there’s this mutual respect. When one of us brings an idea, it’s less about debating it and more about being surprised and saying, “Wow, that’s cool.”
DJ LIFE: Why dance music and who were some of your earliest inspirations in the genre?
Høffding: Dance music found us, rather than the other way around. We weren’t aiming to be a dance band; we were just experimenting with sounds that made people want to move. It felt instinctive. In terms of inspiration, Daft Punk was massive for us early on. They managed to bring both emotion and creativity into dance music. LCD Soundsystem was also a huge influence, with their raw, punky energy mixed with electronic beats. And, of course, as a rock guy, I’ve always loved bands like Talking Heads, who blurred the lines between genres in a way that felt free.
DJ LIFE: At what point did you discover a signature sound or style?
Høffding: When we started, the WhoMadeWho sound kind of came out fully formed. It was raw, dirty, and fun. It was that mix of punk energy with dancefloor beats, and people responded to it immediately. Over the years, though, our sound has evolved. I’m not sure we even have a single “signature sound” anymore. Of course, the core – guitar, drums, bass, and our voices – is still there. But we’ve grown softer, I think. These days, it’s more about creating deep emotional moments and a feeling of togetherness. We care less about being “cool” or “edgy” and more about making music that moves people, both physically and emotionally.
DJ LIFE: What came first for you, DJing or producing? What did your early DJ setup consist of early on vs. today?
Høffding: Producing came first for us. We were musicians before anything else, so DJing was something we picked up along the way. Early on, our DJ setup was hilariously basic – just a laptop and a couple of cheap controllers. Now, we’ve got a much more refined setup, with drum machines, synths, and all kinds of cool gear. But honestly, it’s not about how fancy the equipment is – it’s about the vibe you create. Whether you’re using a laptop or a full modular synth setup, the goal is the same: to connect with people.
DJ LIFE: How would you describe your sound? And what sets you apart from other similar artists?
Høffding: Our sound is trippy and full of love. It’s rooted in techno, but with strong influences from classic rock—bands like Pink Floyd and Cream have definitely left their mark on us. What sets us apart is the emotional depth of our music. We’re not just about beats and drops; we want to tell stories and create a sense of connection. It’s music you can dance to, but it’s also music you can feel deeply.
DJ LIFE: Tell us about your DAW…
Høffding: We all use Logic for production, but I also rely on Ableton Live for our live shows. For me, 90-percent of studio time is spent singing into my old Neumann microphone, running through a Universal Audio setup. It’s simple but effective. And then there’s my Prophet-6 synth, which I use way too much. Seriously, it’s in everything. It’s become kind of a running joke.
DJ LIFE: What’s a typical day in the studio like for the group? Do you have any routines or rituals?
Høffding: We’re surprisingly 9-to-5 about studio time—no rockstar hours here. For me, a lot of the day is spent listening to tracks, running to the mic to record an idea I think is genius, and then realizing it’s not. I also like to take walks outside the studio. I’ll hum melodies or ideas into my phone – it’s amazing how inspiration strikes when you’re moving. We each have our own studios in the same building, so most of the time we work solo. But we also pop into each other’s rooms to bounce ideas around. It’s a mix of independence and collaboration that works really well for us.
DJ LIFE: Your ninth studio album, Kiss & Forget, was released this past September. How long did the LP take to create from start to finish?
Høffding: The process for this album was chaotic, as always. It took about a year, but some of the songs had been in the works for years. We like to revisit old ideas and give them new life, so there’s always a mix of fresh inspiration and long-term tinkering.
DJ LIFE: In comparison to your previous albums, did this take the same amount of time to create, or was the process shorter or longer than usual?
Høffding: I think we’ve gotten better at not wasting time on dead-end tracks. So, in some ways, this album was easier to make. That said, every album has its own challenges. But I’m optimistic about the future – I think we’re becoming more efficient and focused with every project.
DJ LIFE: At this stage in your musical career, how did the creative process differ while creating this album, compared to your previous LPs?
Høffding: The biggest change is how much we collaborate with other artists now. After 20 years, we know each other’s tricks, so bringing in fresh perspectives is really exciting. It keeps things feeling new. We’ve also learned to avoid wasting time on ideas that aren’t going anywhere. We’re more streamlined now, which means we can focus on the tracks that really matter.
DJ LIFE: Kiss & Forget features collabs with the likes of Kölsch, RY X, Adriatique, Blue Hawaii, and more. How did these come together and what’s your collaborative process like?
Høffding: Collaboration has become such a central part of how we create now. After two decades of making music together, we know our sound inside out, so bringing in fresh voices and ideas keeps things exciting. Kölsch, RY X, Adriatique – these are artists we deeply respect, and they all bring something completely unique to the table. The process is different with each collaborator. Sometimes it’s as simple as exchanging ideas online, and other times we’ll get into the studio together and let the vibe lead us. With someone like RY X, it’s about creating a delicate emotional space, while with Kölsch, it’s more about chasing that big, euphoric moment. Collaboration is a bit like dating – you learn to adapt and connect in the moment.
DJ LIFE: Tell us more about the live show that you debuted in 2023…
Høffding: Oh, the 2023 show was something else. We really wanted to push the boundaries of what a live performance could be. It wasn’t just a concert – it was an experience and a trip. We collaborated with a visual artist to create this immersive environment, with synchronized lighting, projections, and even 3D elements that interacted with the music. We also stripped down some of our tracks and reworked them to fit the live setting better. It was less about replicating the album versions and more about creating something new for the audience. And, of course, we brought our energy – we’re all about connecting with people and making them feel like they’re part of something special.
DJ LIFE: After many years of touring and performing live for thousands of fans, which gigs stand out most to you and why?
Høffding: That’s such a tough question because there have been so many amazing moments over the years. But a few really stand out. Playing at Forum in Copenhagen was incredibly special – it’s our hometown, so there’s this deep emotional connection. Tempodrom in Berlin just now was amazing. And, of course, Burning Man was unforgettable – there’s something magical about playing in the desert under the stars. One that really stands out is our performance at Abu Simbel in Egypt for Cercle. Playing in front of those ancient temples, with such a surreal backdrop, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s hard to describe the feeling, but it was almost spiritual.
DJ LIFE: Looking back at life on the road, do you have any wild and crazy stories you can recall?
Høffding: Oh, there are definitely stories – but you know, some things are better left on the road! I will say that touring life is never boring. There was one time we accidentally missed our flight because we were having a karaoke showdown in some random bar after a gig. Let’s just say the rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was worth it, but the airline didn’t agree!
DJ LIFE: On the live and release front, what can you share with us about The Moment?
Høffding: We have big plans for The Moment. We want to bring a good vibe, in terms of having our little community with good music and a vibe of togetherness.
DJ LIFE: You’ll be taking the Kiss & Forget album on tour in ’25. What can you share with us about those upcoming shows and venues you’ll be hitting?
Høffding: We are very excited about bringing the live show out in ’25. The aim is to hit the bigger cities at spectacular venues. With all the efforts in creating the scenography with the awesome sphere created by [architecture group] BIG, the unique visuals deserve to be presented to the world in spectacular surroundings. So that is exactly what we aim for around the world now.
DJ LIFE: What can fans expect from WhoMadeWho in 2025?
Høffding: More epic live shows, for sure. We’re also working on new music, and I’m pretty sure some of it will drop in 2025. And, of course, more Moments – those immersive experiences that bring people together. We’re always looking for ways to surprise and connect with our fans. We will share as much of our creativity with the world as possible. Developing our community with The Moment festival. Sharing new music via our new label The Moment – both from WhoMadeWho and from other artists. Life is awesome.