It’s the beginning of November and time for another issue of State. To say we’ve been amazed by the reaction to our decision to go free would be an understatement, with the magazine reaching a huge number of people and the online version being read over seventeen THOUSAND times. We wanted to expand what we do and it would seem that we’ve succeeded. Good times.

Good times too for Duke Special, this month’s cover star. Accompanied by an exclusive photo shoot from Roger Woolman, the Duke tells us about his long, strange journey so far. It’s a story that heralds another issue full of quality features on Irish music, not because of some grand agenda but simply because we believe that it is from these shores that the most exciting bands are currently coming. Thus we talk to R.S.A.G. and Halfset, discover how the people behind Q&A and Hideaway House do things their own way and find out why Berlin is the new Dublin for many of the city’s musical community. We also re-unite the Chicks to hear their tale of how the music business can be a tough place for a young band.

On the international front, we talk to Tilly & The Wall as well as the highly entertaining Max Tundra. Our Incoming section features new names from the UK and US, as well as the state of play from LA, the horrors of touring in the Alps, while Niall Byrne loves the Beastie Boys and a farewell to Levi Stubbs. All this plus the latest album reviews, DVDs, games and what makes us angry.

For your convenience, there are now three ways to get a copy of State:

1. Pick it up – see our list of stockists.

2. Subscribe or Buy Online for the cost of postage and packaging.

3. View Online right here in our viewer. Click magazine to enlarge.