Video: Cut Copy at House of Blues Boston “Pharaohs & Pyramids”

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Kip

They did it again. They brought Saturday night to Monday and tore straight through Boston. I saw them back in 2008 as well on a Monday night in Boston and the same reaction. Here they are jamming out their new tune off of Zonoscope and getting all the kids crazy.

Check out a complete concert review of this Cut Copy show over at youenjoymusic.com

Download a Track

Super slowed down version of their title track off of Zonoscope.
Download Architecture in Helisinki’s remix of “Need You Now”

Concert Photos

The featured picture on this post comes courtesy of C. Van Slyke over at Boston Through My Eyes

New Cut Copy track – Take Me Over (Listen)

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Kip

Cut Copy – “Take Me Over” (Radio Edit) Premiere by modularpeople

This is the first single off their forthcoming album, Zonoscope, due out on Modular Records February 4th in Australia and on February 8th here in the states.

Cut Copy has also been documenting the making of their 3rd LP, which you can watch clips from over at their YouTube channel.

We’re looking forward to their world tour, which currently only has dates set for Europe. Last time I saw them was two years ago after their second album, In Ghost Colours, that blew them up into the next stratosphere. Make sure to keep an eye out for their dates and hope that they make Boston one of their stops. Just check out this video I shot from the Paradise show back in 2008 (turn volume down as it’s very bass heavy). Mind you this was a Monday night yet they were still able to replicate what it must be like inside a crazy Euro-club on a Saturday night.

The Hip2besquare 2008 Year End List Part II

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Kip

MGMT – “Oracular Spectacular”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mgmt Listen to Justice Remix of “Electric Feel”: http://www.imeem.com/mgmt/music/Si-wEmSN/mgmt_electric_feel_justice_remix/ Watch MGMT jam it up at the Spinner Studios: http://www.spinner.com/2008/11/07/mgmt-get-excited-on-the-interface/ For me, when I first heard about MGMT I pictured a crazy electronic outfit, similar in style to Justice. But when I finally got my hands on their album, I was thrown for a loop. Yeah there’s plenty of electronic goodness to go around but what surprised me was the heavy 70′s influences. “Weekend Wars” reminds of a song Stanley Kubrick might have used in “Clockwork Orange”.

“Electric Feel” blew up and becoame the stand out track that folks like Justice would take and remix till you couldn’t remix no more. But for me, it’s “Kids” that makes this album a must have. This song makes you feel like getting up out of your seat, getting in your car, driving into the city with the windows down while going only five miles an hour and causing a riot to form in the middle of Boylston Street as the “Kids” start an impromptu dance party.

M83 – “Saturdays = Youth”

Myspace: http//www.myspace.com/m83 Listen and download “We Own the Sky” (Remix by Maps): (Download)

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M83 is a master at electronic music who uses a lot of dark and heavy sounds with many of his influences coming from the shoegazer scene made famous by bands such as My Bloody Valentine.

But on this year’s “Saturdays = Youth”, Anthony Gonzalez, the main dude behind M83, decided to take his childhood influences he experienced in the 80′s and turn it into an album. If you know the French culture, especially within the younger generation, you know that a good portion comes from American pop culture. He was watching some of the same movies we were watching by guys like John Hughes (Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club).

This was timely released by Anthony in the summer since this time of year brings about those teenage memories. I had it on heavy rotation during the summer and wasn’t sure how long it would last but I’m happy to say that the sound is not confined to dreamy summertime moments. “Kim & Jessie” as well as “Couleurs”, a rousing 8 minute long 80′s jam, still can be heard kicking through my headphones on the way to work in the morning.

Cut Copy – “In Ghost Colours”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cutcopy Listen to and download “So Haunted”: (Download)

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Watch the video to “Lights & Music”: http://www.imeem.com/pitchforkmedia/video/xT3jKg4I/cut_copy_lights_music_music_video/ If you’re hosting a party and everyone’s being lame, just standing around, with their hands in their pockets, just pop on “In Ghost Colours” by Cut Copy and let the onslaught of electronic synth hooks take your guests to the next level. That and make sure to throw in some more liquor into the jungle juice.

This Aussie duo definitely put out one of the best dance albums this year. They love revving up the crowd with their climatic sound. They’ll get your feet cruising for the first minute or two of the song then they’ll pull back, let the bass and keys do a little vamping back and forth. They hold on to this vamp till the pressure in the room can’t get any higher and then boom, the drums kick in and we’re off dancing the night away.

Sigur Ros – “Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust”

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sigurros Download songs from their website: http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/media/ Stream the whole album: http://widget.nabbr.com/sigur_ros.html I think this release by the Icelandic genius’s, Sigur Ros, didn’t sit well with some folks. A lot of their albums do have a very dark presence to them. Just like their native country of Iceland, who’s winters don’t see much sunlight and the overall landscape is very rough, dark and is mostly inhabitaed by uncomfortable walls of ice. Yet there’s a strong beauty. I’ve never been but Amanda and I hope to visit one of her best friends from college who’s from Iceland. He just had an adorable little baby girl.

While I’d hear about the beauty of this country, I obviously had no personal experience having not visited. Watching Heima, Sigur Ros’s documentary, this passed year helped get us a little closer to understanding the beauty of not only the land but the people. The documentary followed the band around the countryside where they played very intimate, private shows, to all the towns people within various provinces. In one case, they played in a village that had only one official resident.

So it makes sense to me that the follow up album to this DVD/Album, was one that was overwhelming joyful and happy. For the first time, a Sigur Ros album played as a perfect background to the summertime occasions of sipping lemonade and bbq’ing in the backyard.

To Be Continued…

Black Kids & Cut Copy @ Paradise – 5/12/08

Posted on May 14, 2008 by Kip

Black Kids Review:

Monday’s are not usually the best day for me when it comes to giving a thorough review of a show. But I kept my whits about me by not drinking too many PBRs.

I missed the opening band, Mobius Band. I know some of my fellow Boston bloggers have been following these guys but I have yet to catch on. I’m sure that sooner rather then later I’ll catch their opening act. Give them a listen and let me know what you think: http://www.myspace.com/mobiusband.

I made it just around the time Black Kids were making it on stage. The crowd didn’t seem into it right away. I think the packed house and cramped space didn’t help. They’re a band you want to sit back and groove to. Even their grooviest of tunes didn’t get me moving too much. But I don’t think that’s really the point, unless you’re completely in the bag. The point here is that they play fun, catchy music. The lead vocalist, Reggie Youngblood, has a unique sound but as we all know, we take after our idols. I heard hints of Bowie on occasion and for modern day inspiration he was definitely throwing in some British accent love for Bloc Party frontman, Kele Okereke .

My one problem with Black Kids is the line up that seems forced here – brother and sister in the same band. If Ali Youngblood actually played an instrument proficiently or had impeccable vocals, it would be one thing, but she really doesn’t do much to add to the band. The whole brother – sister thing probably works to their advantage but I recently saw an interview where Reggie said “it’s the first time I’ve played with my sister. That’s not completely OK. We don’t hang out. If we weren’t playing music, we probably wouldn’t see much of each other.” (Boston Metro). Not sure if that’s good press or not. Maybe he meant to say that “It’s OK” and the Metro either miss quoted him or he miss quoted himself.

What’s even worse about their setup is they put her front and center. When she’s not supplying the back up vocals or pushing a few keys on her mini synthesizer, she passes the time by doing a little jig. It’s kind of like the Ashley Simpson episode from SNL.

However, they’re having fun and that’s all that really matters. Would I recommend seeing Black Kids live, not really. Nothing too special. However, I would recommend buying their music for their poppy and fun songs.

Their album his coming out in July. It was recorded and produced over in London by Bernard Butler (former Suede guitarist). The album is coming out on Columbia Records.

Cut Copy Review:

Cut Copy are all about the build up. They love revving up the crowd with breaks in the song that lead up to huge bass lines and infectious melodies. If you own their recent album, In Ghost Colours, you already know this. The one thing that I felt lacked from their set was a flow. There were periods between each song that were longing then I expected. Especially since on the album the songs flow into one another.

But that is the only downfall. Everything else was just pure, good old fashion, dance fever music and electronic pop goodness.

I was able to capture most of their performance of the single “Lights & Music”. Watch below. The sound is a bit scratchy since I was up in the stage-right balcony where speakers point right at you. The more and more I go to the Paradise the more I enjoy the sound quality in certain locations such as in this spot. If you go too deep into the balcony then the sound gets muffled. I also enjoy the floor over on the left better then the right even though the right side is bigger.

And watch carefully folks, Boston kids love to get down. I mean, this place was going nuts during these build up moments. The boys from Cut Copy were eating it up. I looked down on the sea of kids and could barely make out individuals. It just looked like one big mass of human arms flaring back and forth. Too bad this was a Monday night others I would have been down there in the mix.

LETS GO FLYERS!!! (and Black Kids and Cut Copy)

Posted on May 9, 2008 by Kip

In support for the greatest team in the NHL, I will not be posting too much this weekend. However, I must remind you that Black Kids and Cut Copy are playing on Monday night at Paradise Rock Club. Yes, I know, another great Monday night show but it’s also another one not to miss. Should be a really fun time and I highly recommend you get your bottoms over there.

Listen to Black Kids (The Twelves Remix):

Download: Cut Copy – “Lights & Music” (radio edit)

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I’ll leave you with footage from what is going to go down as one of, if not the greatest hockey fight in the history of the sport. This happened in modern times so for all those folks who feel Hockey has gone soft, check out this one between the Flyers and the Ottawa Senators. Both sides get their throws in but it’s clear the men in Orange and Black come out on top.