KOPPS aren’t your typical band, and that’s what makes them so great. Never ones to take themselves too seriously, Rochester-bred quartet’s sound is a wild blend of 90’s influenced sounds, modern pop, electro and even a little bit of nu metal. Yeah, you heard that right.
With a flair for the dramatic, KOPPS verge on the edge of creepy, twisted and often bizarre (see their latest video for “Virtual Reality”) but without losing an ounce of their signature brand of humor that makes them KOPPS. Following a killer 2018 with tour dates alongside Joywave and their single, “Hott” (also featuring Joywave), KOPPS are already off to a strong start this year with the release of their new single, “Virtual Reality” and plans to release even more new music soon. Get to know a little bit more about the band and watch the video for “Virtual Reality” now below!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about KOPPS for anyone who might not be familiar?
We are from Rochester, NY and we make genreless alt-pop. Sexual and personal empowerment has always been an important part of our music, as well as having a “no one is safe” attitude when it comes to being tongue-in-cheek about anything we want to poke fun at in our songs or videos. Our live performances are definitely a spectacle and dancing is a huge part of what we do (and encourage fans to do)
Your sound is a really unique blend of different genres – what first inspired you to start writing and creating music as KOPPS?
Back in 2009 Kyle and Patricia wanted to experiment with making music that sounded like 90s vocal house…la bouche, etc. at a time when the 90s hadn’t really made a comeback yet. We loved that music and recognized there was something special about that genre because there was true talent behind the song writing and vocal performance but it was also kind of a relaxed movement that was very much about dancing and freedom. We did a couple of demos and realized A) That music was really difficult to emulate and B) We are a little weirder, more intense, and more alt in our approach, and we were OK with that. At that time we wanted to figure out a live show. We wanted it to be high energy and entertaining. We definitely needed more members once things started picking up…and that’s where trav and gesture came in.
You guys just kicked off your new year with the release of your new single, “Virtual Reality”. What were you most excited for fans to hear on the new track?
We are very excited to kick off 2019 with a new single right out of the gate. I think this song represents a new era for us when compared to our older stuff, and is more representative of a fresh sound that we have acquired in the last year or so. We were most excited about the more minimal music bed of the song- as much of our music tends to be uptempo and packed with sounds, this is a little respite from that.
What inspired “Virtual Reality”?
To be honest, online stalking. The idea that sitting on your phone and going back 7 years in someone’s pictures is a silently acceptable behavior right now is the stuff “Virtual Reality” is made of.
“Virtual Reality” follows your single, “Hott” you released last year with Joywave. Can fans expect to hear any more new music soon? Maybe an EP or new album?
Content from KOPPS has historically been sort of spread out. We have a lot of new material that we are excited to get out into the world in 2019 and will be releasing new content pretty consistently in the new year, including plans for an EP or LP, depending on how much material we decide to share at once 😉
With the rest of 2019 ahead of you, do you guys have any big plans or goals for the year? Anything you’d like to accomplish?
You can expect the following:
-A compiled work with new music
-Tour dates/performances
-Superbowl halftime show 2019
Can we expect some shows or tour dates again soon?
Keep your eyes peeled for spring & summer dates
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Watch the Virtual Reality Video on Youtube and comment the creepiest thing you’ve ever done online
Follow us on Instagram @koppsmusic so we can stalk you, too.
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