Coupdekat: “I think 2012 isn’t dead—it’s the beginning of a new journey”

Words by Kasia Krawczyk

There’s a strange magic in looking back at the internet we grew up with. The forgotten Facebook statuses, the BBM messages, the playlists that once felt like entire worlds—digital relics that somehow carry more emotion than polished memories ever could. On Goodbye 2012, Coupdekat transforms that archive into something vibrant, messy and deeply human. Rather than indulging in nostalgia for its own sake, the record explores what happens when we revisit the people, places and versions of ourselves we thought we’d left behind.

Written from a distance—both emotionally and geographically—the album reflects on London’s contradictions, teenage friendships, restless nights and the freedom of not yet knowing who you’re supposed to become. It’s playful, intimate and unafraid of imperfection, embracing the rough edges that make memories feel real.

We caught up with Coupdekat to talk about the story behind Goodbye 2012, why some of the best songs arrive after a hangover, and why saying goodbye to the past doesn’t necessarily mean leaving it.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Dirty. Playful. Sexy.

Could you tell us the story behind your stage name?

I was living in Paris at the time, and it started as a bit of a play on words—a combination of two ideas. It had been my Instagram handle for ages, and eventually I realised it felt right as a stage name too. It just stuck.

How did being away from London change the way you wrote Goodbye 2012?

It gave me perspective. A lot of the songs are about London, but I think I needed to leave the city to really understand how I felt about it.

I’ve lived there for six years now, and I’ve made almost all of my music there. Going away and reflecting on those years helped me see everything more clearly. My relationship with London is definitely a love-hate one. It’s home, but I’m always happy to leave for a while, too.

Do you have a favourite song on the album?

“I Still Think About the Band” is still my favourite.

One of my biggest goals with this album was to recreate that feeling of teenage nostalgia, and I think that song captures it best. I’m really proud of it because it takes me straight back to that emotional space. It’s very special to me.

What does the album title mean to you?

It’s about pre-teen nostalgia—going back to a time when life felt sillier, social media wasn’t so performative, and I felt much more expressive.

I wanted to reconnect with that feeling because it still sparks something in me. Being an adult can sometimes tame that spark, and whenever I notice that happening, I feel like I need to remind myself to see the world with a more childlike sense of curiosity again.

How do you want people to feel when they’re listening to Goodbye 2012?

I want people to have fun.

Every track explores a different emotion, and I was very intentional about the sequencing. I wanted the album to feel like an emotional rollercoaster, where every song unlocks a different mood.

You’ve said you can’t make music when you’re “completely fine.” How has writing from that emotional—or even hungover—state shaped the sound of Goodbye 2012 compared to your earlier releases?

I think it gave the record a lot more rawness and dirt.

Some things are slightly off, some moments are pushed further than they probably should be—and I like that. I didn’t make the whole album while hungover, obviously, but I wrote it during a period when I was discovering a new city, going out a lot, and I definitely wasn’t sober all the time.

That energy found its way into the music.

The album sits between nostalgia and self-reflection. What did you learn about yourself while digging through old Facebook archives and BBM-era memories?

I ended up thinking a lot about old friendships.

Some of the songs are about people I was close to as a teenager and the ways those relationships slowly faded away. Looking back, I realised I probably wasn’t always very good at communicating how I felt.

There were moments when I found myself wondering where those people are now. I genuinely hope they’re okay. That became a surprisingly emotional part of making the album.

The title says goodbye, but it doesn’t necessarily sound like an ending. After this album, where do you want to take the story next?

I actually think this record is the beginning of something.

Through making Goodbye 2012, I discovered a lot of sounds that I want to keep exploring. In that sense, 2012 isn’t dead at all—it’s the start of a new journey.

I’m still figuring out exactly where that journey leads, but I’d love to push things even further. Maybe get a little crazier, a little dirtier.

This definitely feels like the beginning, not the end.

Coupdekat‘s debut album Goodbye 2012! was released on August 7! Make sure to give it a listen <3

Photo by Iwan Apjohn-Williams