KOPPS

Self-described "electronic-rock-whateverists" band, KOPPS, is just as fed up with the summer heat as you are. The Rochester, New York-based band is best known for their sleekly crafted indie pop as much as they are for their off-kilter sense of humor.

The video for their new summer single "Hott," featuring buttoned-up indie rockers Joywave, is innocuous enough at first glance. Bickering directors and stiff choreography with artificial slapped-on smiles makes for a winking parody of music videos from Devo or St. Vincent. The twist, because of course there is a twist, comes at the chorus with screaming guitars, flashing lights, and a S&M clad KOPPS hypnotize the entire crew with a noodle-armed cult dance.

The dance, later referred to in the fiction of the video as the "Hott Trott," becomes a viral sensation spreading around the world like a dead-eyed "Harlem Shake" or "In My Feelings." The video is incredibly charming in its sinister absurdity, past the campy glowing red eyes and floppy dancing lies a thirst for global domination even if they don't take themselves too seriously.

Watch the PAPER premiere of KOPPS' video for "Hott" (feat. Joywave), below: - Paper Magazine

“Tongues,” the union between Rochester indie-dance outfits Joywave and KOPPS, just got an oddball, 16mm film-shot visual treatment from director duo The Daniels. If you’re familiar with their recent work, the clip for DJ Snake and Lil’ Jon’s over-the-top “Turn Down For What,” then you know you’re in for atypical fare. - SPIN

First, KOPPS lent Joywave a helping hand with their killer alt-pop track “Tongues” — now the Rochester group is returning the favor to their hometown pals.

Joywave singer Daniel Armbruster co-wrote and produced KOPPS’ new single “Hott” and stars alongside the band in the tune’s colorfully odd music video, which dropped today (August 10). The vid, which was directed by Ghost + Cow, offers a devilish breakdown that leads into a tongue-in-cheek storyline- but that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Joywave’s been pulling those stunts out of their hat for ages (see: the dark comedy of their Big Data collaboration “Dangerous” and newer tune “It’s A Trip!”).

“We were toying with the idea of darkness vs light, good/evil versions of ourselves, but also wanted to incorporate dancing and possession since those are clearly our bread and butter as a band (lol),” KOPPS explain. Try not to get hypnotized and check out the clips below. - Vanyaland

Howard added a few new songs into heavy rotation on his streaming music service of choice recently and played them for everyone early in the morning.

First up was "Thermometer" by a band called Kopps, which Howard said he "loved it so much [he] downloaded it." - Howard Stern

KOPPS CELEBRATE BEAUTIFUL “IMPERFECTIONS” IN NEW SINGLE “U.G.L.Y.”
JULY 10, 2020



Rochester-bred indie music act KOPPS are done trying to live up to unforgiving beauty standards–especially at a time when the world is evolving and priorities are changing.



With funky new single “U.G.L.Y.,” the artist project led by vocalist Patricia Patrón pokes fun at our beauty-obsessed, aesthetics-driven world. The song starts with high-strung energy, with lyrics pushing back against traditional molds and declaring “ugly” as beautiful.



Electro-pop and synth beats drive the track, where the group goes less alternative-rock and more electronic. It’s perfect for a dance solo at home where nobody is watching and where judgment is left outside the door.



Patrón says “U.G.L.Y” was inspired by long sessions of scrolling through feeds flooded with people on a quest for perceived perfection. It wants to headbutt the notion that you need to be perfect just to have a good time. The track, produced by Alan Wilkis, comes ahead of the band’s new EP KOPYRIGHT, out later this month.



We caught up with Patricia to discuss the new single and how she’s coping during lockdown. Check out the Q&A:

“U.G.L.Y.” is a fun dance track with a bigger message behind it. Can you elaborate on the point you were getting across while writing the track?



Like most of the music we make, we are kind of poking fun at a cultural phenomenon. We do that a lot. This time it’s aimed toward this situation where people are striving more and more toward physical perfection at any cost, even accidental physical mutilation. There’s almost an Instagram “look” going on atm where everybody kind of has the same key features on their faces and it’s normalized. At what point does this feel kind of creepy and robotic? It’s like a sea of the same person walking around a la Real Slim Shady, which is undeniably strange and was definitely an inspiration for this tune. In some way, the majority of us fall victim to being influenced by these standards because they are constantly in our faces. The overarching point is to be able to flaunt your gritty, authentic, primal-self once in a while and experience joy despite your imperfections…which ultimately make you unique.


During this global pandemic, you have done a few virtual performances. Do you think these will continue once we begin to recover from this crisis?



This pandemic has shown the full tilt will of musicians to continue to share their art by any means possible, which has been amazing/inspiring to see. Although nothing can replace the energy I feel when I have people in front of me exchanging that emotion (and bodily fluid,) this experience has made me realize that I could be doing more to reach fans that might be unable to make it out to shows for any variety of reasons- so I likely will try to do more performances online, especially when touring is not an option for other reasons besides the pandemic.



What are you doing to maintain connections with fans while not be able to be on the road?

We have a Patreon that our superfans are a part of and it’s a bit more personal and consistent than our other socials, so I have been encouraging people to hop on that if they miss us! We have chats on there and check-in with each other, so that’s been cool. I have also consistently been doing live interviews with other artists where we take live callers, so I get to speak to fans on the phone in real time as well as introduce them to artists that I think they would like. I do a LOT of dminDMing with our fans also, they constantly talk to me, so I do think holding the connection has been OK.



What will be the first venue you’d like to play as soon as it’s permitted?

I would like to play my favorite Rochester, NY venue, The Bug Jar. It’s the first place we ever played and we helped to raise money for the venue during COVID, as they have struggled to stay open at times and this has further exacerbated that. It’s a great place and they treat their artists respectfully, and I’m hoping that they can make it through this period. There’s nothing quite like a hometown show, as cliche as that sounds.



Has there been anything in particular that has kept you inspired in these last few months and how have you been staying motivated?



I have to be honest, it hasn’t been easy. Playing live is the bread and butter of KOPPS besides the music itself. It is an extension of the music in every way and I always say you won’t fully “get” us as a band until you’ve seen a show. Everything else we do is in support of that, so it’s been difficult at times to feel continually inspired knowing we may not be on stage for over a year or more. Luckily we have an EP called KOPYRIGHT coming out in late July, and that is keeping me going for sure. We haven’t released a compilation in quite some time, so it’s pretty exciting. We also have new music aimed for 2021 that’s been done for a bit, and putting those songs on can light a fire under me at times and get my blood pumping. It makes me feel like there are good things coming in the future at a time when that’s hard to see. I’m having a bit of writer’s block at the moment but usually, that can be followed by a period of productivity- so fingers crossed! Also, don’t beat yourself up if you’re going through this as well…this is a global crisis, after all. - Lady Gunn

KOPPS’ wicked and sensual sound definitely has the ability to stick with you, and the new video for their song “Baby I’m Dead Inside” is downright haunting. This quirky and seductive band is based in Rochester, New York, and the members call their particular genre — that gives you the shivers and the urge to dance at the same time — CrazySexyCreepy.

But KOPPS knows how to have a good time with their fun, hot, and (at times) off-putting music. The video for “Baby I’m Dead Inside” is the most recent of a number of sinister and shockingly funny videos for KOPPS’ tracks. The song and video is a needed reminder that “true love is overrated,” and, perhaps, you should accept the ones you care about for who they are. Right?

Check out the video below, exclusively with Flaunt. - Flaunt

Last month, New York bred band, KOPPS, came back with new music as they released their latest project; A brand new EP, KOPYRIGHT, last month. A true representation of the bizarre-pop KOPPS prefers to create, KOPYRIGHT is 6 tracks of classic KOPPS, featuring an eclectic range of themes; from internet stalking, vapid consumerism and image obsession to one very lonely cowboy. In addition to previous releases – U.G.L.Y., Virtual Reality, Oh Dang Dang, and Get Juicy; KOPYRIGHT also features two brand new songs from the band – VIP and Horses (feat. Big Arby). An energetic and addictive EP, that will definitely get you in that funky dance mood, there are some brand new bops amongst some old favourites that make this record a KOPPS classic. So keep on reading for a more in-depth look at the EP down below! - The Stumble Upon

KOPPS: pop plus
By Frank De Blase


KOPPS is a three-pronged attack of techno-fection, but it’s not so sugary as to gum up the works in its live show, plethora of catchy singles, or the numerous music videos that capture the band’s intense visual irony.

The Rochester trio — lead vocalist and percussionist Patricia Patrón, bassist Kyle O’Hara, guitarist Travis Johansen — has been hard at work in the studio and spinning the odometer on jaunts to everywhere. The group continues to work with local producer Dan Armbruster of Joywave.

And yes, new music is pending.

KOPPS has plenty of material, for that matter. They’re just being frugal and keeping up with the times, in which LPs aren’t as in-demand as EPs, singles, and videos.
In actuality, KOPPS has enough material for a full-length if they ever want to go that route. “But not the way people are doing it now,” Patrón says. “You don’t want to release too much; people listen to it for a day and then it’s over.” - Rochester City Newspaper

KOPPS have been on my radar for a while now, but the new single “My Gold” is the one that grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and refused to let go. It has all the elements of a pop hit — accessible production, ear-worm melodies and undeniable swagger, but there’s something much more exciting at play here. The chorus is utter spine tingling material and takes as much control of your emotions as it does your dancing feet.

Oh, and they also just released a new EP that’s full of absolute bangers. “Dollas For Dimes” may be completely absurd, but that doesn’t stop it from putting a giant smile on your face. Match that with previously released tracks “Thermometer” and “Dumb”, and you have a neatly bound package of total pop bombast that could definitely go places. - The Wild Honey Pie

In the words of the very wise and eloquent I LOVE MAKONNEN, “Club going up, on a Tuesday,” and seeing as it is Tuesday, the New York-based electro-pop duo KOPPS have released just the track to make the club go up. “Dumb” is an upbeat party anthem that doubles as a screeching, electronic banger; a feat that could only be done right by a versatile group like KOPPS. It’s clear how eccentric “Dumb” is right from the get go, with the piercing sound of shattering glass followed swiftly by a succession of gunshots. The track then breaks into a driving 909-drum pattern that is filled by a zany synth paired with a distorted bass that leads right into the chorus, which is then accentuated by selectively placed strokes of strings, building on energy established by the initial musical elements of track, which sets up perfectly a hysteria-evoking drop of massive, bass filled proportions. - EARMILK

What's so good?
By Jason Grishkoff | Jun 18, 2013

I must confess: it makes me all warm and fuzzy to see two bands that I really like coming together on a track. In this case, RAC is remixing one of my favorite early Indie Shuffle discoveries, Joywave.

“Tongues” was released earlier this year, and features Rochester-based KOPPS. The original song is pretty boisterous, with a robust sound and quicker tempo.

On RAC’s remix, things naturally find themselves a bit more cadenced. The additional layers of acoustic guitar, the fancy synth-work and the choppy sampling result in a song that’s arguably better than the original. And boy oh boy, what a bridge!

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not trying to diss Joywave or KOPPS. I’m just saying that with their powers combined, these three artists have made a truly awesome song. - Indie Shuffle

The latest release from Rochester duo KOPPS is sex-pop at its finest. Produced by Joywave’s Daniel Armbruster, “Thermometer” is fueled by a guttural bassline and roaring sirens that hint at early-2000s Britney Spears. But the Britney-comparison ends there, as frontwoman Patricia Petrone lets her powerful chops take control of this track. And as if things couldn’t get any saucier, KOPPS’ Patricia and Kyle will soon be Mr. and Mrs. KOPPS. Yowza. - All Things Go

Party ’til you puke y’all. Or maybe just puke. KOPPS‘ rave-pop masterpiece “Dumb” makes us feel real nice on the inside. The same can be said — sort of — for the protagonist of the band’s new video for the track, which we’re premiering here on ATG today. Give it a watch above. If you’re based in DC, make sure to catch KOPPS live at Rock and Roll Hotel with Joywave this Friday, May 8th. Tickets available here. - All Things Go

Bridging the gap between experimental and electropop, four-piece dance band, Kopps, return with a melodic new release “My Gold” that finds its genius in being an audacious genre-bender. The Rochester natives have developed a skilled synchronicity fusing groovy synths, bouncy percussion and commanding vocals primed for a Brooklyn house party or a movie soundtrack. Kopps were just announced as one of the US leg supporting acts for Joywave’s upcoming world tour which kicks off on September 18 in San Francisco. - Dancing Astronaut

omorrow not only kicks off the first day of the highly anticipated festival, TomorrowWorld, but also sees the release of Rochester, NY natives KOPPS and their EP ‘The Sound of Music‘. If you haven’t heard our previous premiere of “My Gold”, check it out after you hear this new one, titled “Dollas For Dimes”, you’ll be glad you did!

“Dollas For Dimes” can be best described like this: it’s as if grunge rock, dubsteb, and electronica all had a 3-way, producing this glorious, speaker rattling sensation. Lead singer Patricia lures you immediately in with a spine-tingling opener: “I might light you up and walk away, you won’t forget my face.” It builds into absolute chaos, while sirens ring throughout the background and a thunderous lead initiates further frenzy.

“Dollas For Dimes” is electrifying right to the core and probably one of my favorites from ‘The Sound Of Music’. Listen below and be sure to grab your copy of the EP tomorrow! - Your EDM