The Cold Cut

Cut Copy- Going Nowhere (SebastiAn Remix) (Link 2)
Cut Copy- Hearts On Fire (Midnight Juggernauts Remix) (Link 2)
Cut Copy- Lights And Music (Link 2)
Cut Copy- So Haunted (Link 2)

Someone told me it would happen. Within a few days of listening to Cut Copy, I would be unconditionally in love with their brand of electropop. And they were correct.

The real draw here is the fact that Cut Copy can re-package 80's new-wave into something with a more modern facade. 'In Ghost Colours', their second album, is almost perfect, and easily one of the top 10 records of 2008. As vocalist Dan Whiford said:

"The album is a lot more realized than the first one. I think all of us, when we think of the first one, we agree we sort of got half way there."

Visit Cut Copy's website for some nice bios and videos. Buy 'In Ghost Colours' here!

Unfortunately, time constraints and a slow computer at work experience mean that I can't do a full length post today, but there's a lot of fresh, interesting music to cover so I thought I should at least write something short. My Quick Tip for today is an Australian 5-piece band called Operator Please, comprised entirely of members aging between 17 and 19, not something you generally see in popular bands nowadays. Lead singer/guitarist Amandah Wilkinson formed the band to compete in her high school's Battle Of The Bands competition: "I picked people at random who I knew played an instrument, and they just said yes." and so the band was formed. Their music is quite an eclectic mix, mostly because of the instruments their band members play: the current lineup has the usual suspects (guitar, bass, drums, voice) and two unique choices, keyboard and violin: check out the bit in the download below where you get a full-blown violin solo). Together, these 5 instruments and Amandah's powerful voice make an interesting sound when coupled with their songs, which are fun, if a little childish at times (you've got to forgive them for that: they're all under 20!).

The age aspect is pretty funny actually: 17 year old drummer Tim Commandeur looks so baby-faced that his presence is often questioned during their gigs, and he has even been mistaken for Amandah's son... but forget the age thing- this is a band who made it big purely by force of will, and at such a young age they have already been picked up by EMI and are set to play the Carling: Reading and Leeds festivals this summer, having received a lot of plays (on NME, XFM and Radio 1) of their hit single "Just A Song About Ping Pong". It's been a large shock to the band, just as you would expect: receiving a record deal with EMI whilst you're a teenager isn't something most people could brag about in their lifetime. Their debut album will be out sometime later this year, but whilst you're waiting I would recommend you take a look at some of their EP's and singles. A good place to start is over at the Hype Machine... You can also buy their EP's on their site