Ben Browning of Cut Copy at 9:30 Club, 2009. Photo by Martin Locraft.

DCist caught up with bassist Ben Browning of Australian synthpop group Cut Copy just after their third studio album, Zonoscope, was released last month. (What exactly is a zonoscope, you may ask? Browning explains this fantastical contraption below.) Resting up before launching into an exhaustive North American tour that includes swinging through Coachella in April, Browning also took some time to reminisce about his favorite show Cut Copy has played in D.C., and offer up some advice to American bands headed to his hometown of Melbourne.

So, Zonoscope just came out. How does it feel to have it officially out there?

It’s a relief! We’ve lived with the album for a long time and now we can share it with everyone. We’re looking forward to playing these songs live this year.

What is a Zonoscope?

It’s whatever you want it to be. I think it’s a type of lens. “Zonoscope” is a telescopic lens that allows you to view and experience the abstract world we’ve created for the album. It’s also a musical instrument, with strings, First World War electronics and instructions written in Russian.

Tell me a little bit about the creation process for this album. How long have these songs been in the works? Do you write while you’re touring or take a respite in between albums?

We don’t generally write much on tour, but there is a lot of late night conceptual discussions and record buying whilst on the road. The album process this time began with some rest at home, demo tinkering in the bedroom studio and finally some extended jam sessions in the warehouse we set up to record Zonoscope.

You made a mini-documentary while you were recording Zonoscope. What did you want to demonstrate with that footage?

The warehouse space was, visually, fairly interesting. There was all the amazing antique gear lying around. It was half-museum, half-junkyard. It seemed like a good idea to get our friends in there and get some footage. I think it turned out quite well, the whole thing; it definitely represents what it was like for us.

What’s it like when you play in Washington, D.C.? You sold out last time you were here, you’re selling out again. How does your D.C. fanbase compare to other U.S. cities on tour?

I always remember playing at the Black Cat in 2008 and being totally blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. Since then, we’ve always had amazing shows in D.C.

Have you been sightseeing in D.C.? Anything you’ll check out this time?

We’ve never had more than one day in D.C. to do anything except have great coffee, which is a requirement of any place we visit.

If an American band you knew was playing in Melbourne, what’s the first place you would tell them to go?

I’d probably tell them to get some sleep after such a long flight. Then maybe head to Getrude Street in Fitzroy for coffee and lunch at a place called De Clieu.

What other artists are you excited about working with this year?

We’re excited to go out on the road with Holy Ghost! They’re really great friends of ours, so I’m sure we are going to have some epic experiences with them this year.

When you go out, what’s your favorite dance anthem?

I always dance to “I Wanna Be Your Lover” by Prince.

Cut Copy plays the 9:30 Club with Holy Ghost! tonight and tomorrow night. Both shows are sold out.