Cut Copy, the electronic band from Melbourne, Australia, have a new album called Zonoscope that just dropped and are heading to Chicago to perform it live. Nightspots Magazine talked to the guitarist Tim Hoey about the group.
Nightspots Magazine: Hi, Tim. Where in the world are you calling from?
Tim Hoey: We actually just got back to Melbourne. We are just coming back from New York and LA; it was kind of a whirlwind trip.
Nightspots Magazine: That's a long flight.
Tim Hoey:I think my head is still some where over the ocean. I am very much jetlagged.
Nightspots Magazine: The new album Zonoscope is a different style for the group.
Tim Hoey:Yeah, it's like the whole idea from the beginning was to strip away what we'd done before and start again. I guess we kind of wanted to find a new sonic power to work with. It was very much finding new sounds whether it was different synthesizer sounds, percussion, or recording the guitar. It's very much of re-imagining.
Nightspots Magazine: What was the sound of the new album influenced by?
Tim Hoey:We are really inspired pretty much from every kind of rhythm. It is world music meets Africa. It's an interesting angle. We created an album from start to finish and the idea of this record was to create a new world and for us to walk you in.
Nightspots Magazine: Does everyone in the group write the music?
Tim Hoey:It kind of varies from album to album, from song to song. The ideas are usually born in the studio in Melbourne. It wasn't like we were in an expensive recording studio where we are constantly watching the clock. We had a lot of freedom to work on the album and not feel like we were under pressure.
Nightspots Magazine: The band is constantly touring.
Tim Hoey:I guess it's the special immediate chronic connection to the audience. We really put a cap on that because we want to go back to making records. We are really looking to releasing, like, lots of records in succession and not have to wait two or three years, since it can get quite frustrating.
Nightspots Magazine: I heard the group didn't want to open for people like Lady Gaga, or Coldplay. Why is that?
Tim Hoey:We were working on our record when they both asked. We just really didn't want any other distractions. It would have been interesting going on tour with Lady Gaga. It was never a personal thing, it just came down to timing and we really want to push our records and do our own touring.
Nightspots Magazine: She does have a specific audience of mainly gays and girls. Are there any gay members in your group?
Tim Hoey:No.
Nightspots Magazine: Well, our readers are looking forward to your return to Chicago after Lollapalooza and the Metro last year.
Tim Hoey:Yes, without a doubt. We have had many great shows in Chicago, so it will be nice to be able to spend a week there and perform for the fans.
Cut Copy arrives April 8 at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets may be purchased at www.jamusa.com .
