The Operator is a melancholic French dream pop project founded in 2019 by Sophie Thibaud, a singer-songwriter and performer who has collaborated with many artists in the past (notably with musicians from the German electro scene such as Captain Comatose for the French version of the Kitsuné Midnight compilation, Patric Catani aka Candie Hank (‘le wolf wolf’ with Candie Hank ‘Puddelprodukt’) ...
Having worked as a switchboard operator, she initially decided to take the pseudonym ‘La Standardiste’, which became The Operator after meeting Johnny Jewel and Megan Louise. In the summer of 2022, The Operator joined the team at the prestigious American label ITALIANS DO IT BETTER, created by the founders of the band Chromatics.
Her debut album, Dark Room, and several singles were produced by electronic music producer Antoine Mounier (Teaspoon, AntoineAntoineAntoine).
The Operator’s songs are imbued with melancholy and depict a personal, sensual and cinematic universe. They form a kind of diary. Hence the album title Dark Room, in reference to the darkroom in which photography is revealed. Reviewed by the illustrious journalist Patrick Thévenin of Les Inrocks.
Singles released:
Danser, the first single, appeared on the iconic compilation After Dark 4, released in August 2022. Followed by a cover of FR David, Words was released in November 2022. The single Platonic Love was released in spring 2023 and Bleuets in October 2023, which was recently featured on the soundtrack of the Winter 2025/2026 fashion show of the prestigious brand Chloé.
The Operator performed her first concert at the ITALIANS DO IT BETTER Showcase evening at the Gaité Lyrique on 8 November 2022.
She has also performed on Parisian stages such as the label’s PoP up at La Boule Noire in May 2023 as part of the Inrocks Super Club, as well as at Bars en Trans in Rennes.
Featured in the ITALIANS DO IT BETTER line-up, The Operator performed at Le Trabendo (Paris) and in Manchester alongside Desire and Johnny Jewel in May 2024.
Several singles have since been released, including Le garçon Mur, Train rain Brittany (accompanied by a music video) and, freshly released at the end of June 2025: Green Eyes, produced by Nicolaas (also an artist on the IDIB label), a producer with whom Sophie also collaborates. Green Eyes features on the Inrocks playlist for July 2025.
The Operator is currently working on new songs produced by Antoine Mounier and Nicolaas.