Y-Not Radio, home of Philthy Radio, is giving away a pair of tickets to see Cut Copy next Tuesday, November 18th, at Union Transfer, which they last played in 2017. The date comes in the middle of a two-week North American jaunt in support of the Australian synth-pop act’s seventh full-length, Moments, which dropped this September via Cutters Records / The Orchard and prompted Stereogum to write, “Melbourne’s Cut Copy made some of the most immediate, likable dance-rock anthems of the ’00s and ’10s, and they aren’t done yet.” Just last week, Cut Copy dropped an official music video (directed by Otium LaLiberte) for “Belong To You,” the album’s most recent single, which pheatures our phriend Kate Bollinger. Check out the video below, read my recent chat with Cut Copy drummer Ben Browning, and vote for Y-Not Radio’s Top 11 @ 11 by Thursday morning for a chance to win two tickets to see the band at Union Transfer on November 18th.
Izzy Cihak: It feels like it’s been a while since you’ve played Philadelphia, but you have played here a handful of times over the years. Any memories of the city?
Ben Browning: We’ve been through Philly a few times, yeah. I remember we went to see Ben Simmons and the 76ers up against LeBron in 2017. Hope that’s not triggering for anyone!
Izzy: You recently released Moments, your seventh full-length and first in a little over half a decade. How do you feel like this album compares to previous releases? Actually, on that note, what do you feel like are the biggest differences in how you approach music now, compared to almost a quarter of a century ago, when you started?
Ben: It’s certainly been a long journey in terms of our creative process over the years. The one constant aspect is Dan [Whitford] writing and producing a lot of material in his home studio before we get together. We probably have less time to get together as a band, but we found a studio on an old farm in a semi remote part of Australia to work on this album. I think the whole atmosphere gave us a sense of freedom. We probably embraced our musicianship or lack thereof on this record more than the last one. While we’re not all virtuoso players or anything, we were keen to add lashings of humanity wherever possible.
Izzy: You’ve played a handful of dates in Australia since the album dropped. How did those shows go? Any standout moments or favorite reactions to the new music?
Ben: The shows in Australia felt really great. I think we’ve probably gotten comfortable playing in front of our friends finally! A lot of the new stuff fit in really well and we had a beautiful stage backdrop that made use of the artwork Braulio did for our album.
Izzy: What can be expected of the live show this time around?
Ben: I guess what people might expect from a Cut Copy show. Plenty of dance floor ready stuff, energy and all that! Interspersed with some deeper moments and even a little tenderness.
Izzy: How has touring most changed for you over the years? I feel like that’s less impacted by technology than most aspects of the music industry, but does tend to change quite a bit as artists themselves get older.
Ben: Touring has gotten easier for us as we’ve gotten older because we take care of ourselves better. And we’re lucky to have some really great people who we’ve worked with for the last eight years who keep things simple and streamlined. I know the cost of touring is something that makes it hard for a lot of bands and we probably can’t afford to get to all the places we’d like to, but I certainly feel fortunate to get to do it at all.
Izzy: You’re going to be on the road with Ora the Molecule, who I’m yet to see, but totally love! What are your thoughts on her and her music? Are you excited to be on the road with her?
Ben: Really excited to see her play each night. One of the nice things about being out with other artists is the sense of camaraderie that develops, and we’ve been lucky to have done long tours with great people over the years around the USA.
Izzy: Yeah, you’ve toured with (and remixed… and even occasionally collaborated with) a ton of really cool artists over the span of your career (I love Kate Bollinger, and was so excited to see you do a song with her!), so I’m curious if you’ve had any favorite music of 2025, now that the year’s coming to an end?
Ben: Yep, working with Kate was awesome. She really did an amazing job on “Belong To You.” Moments is my favorite record of 2025, of course. I’ve been playing the most recent Lindstrøm album a lot, too.
*Get your tickets here.
