As I write, we’re spending a – shall we say focused – Tuesday afternoon in the State offices applying the finishing touches to the first issue of State Magazine, so it seems like as good a time as any to let you know a little of what is coming your way. By now the website will have hopefully given you an idea of what State is all about – quality writing, quality design and an approach to music that refuses to be dictated by genres or notions of fashion. State Magazine will do all this on a grander scale. We have always intended this to be an old fashioned music magazine in terms of our approach to journalism, photography and visuals, combined with an outlook that reflects the new global nature of the medium.

So issue one is nearly upon us and, if we do say so ourselves, we’re mighty proud. Our cover story is REM in New York, written by our East Coast correspondent Kara Manning (Rolling Stone, Village Voice & MTV). There will be plenty of REM stories this year but I doubt if many will get as close to what makes this band tick as Kara has. Elsewhere, you’ll find Sinead Gleeson in conversation with Goldfrapp, John Walshe on The Jimmy Cake, Niall Byrne talking to the astonishing Cadence Weapon and the fascinating story of Stiff Little Fingers. In addition to this, we present some of the most exciting new bands around, ruminations on what has gone before and a review section that includes the first word on the new Kooks album. And this is just the start of it. Issue two is already shaping up to be a belter, with a combination of huge international stories and the best Irish talent.

You’ll see quite a bit about us over the next couple of weeks before State finally emerges on March 6th. Wherever you are in Ireland, you’ll be in reach of a copy, through your local newsagents, corner shop or music store. For those further afield, we’ll be reaching out to you via the means of the best new technology. So pick up a copy and let us know what you think, we hope you’ll find it to your liking. Hold on, we’re coming….