Having taken a small break in January, State returns to live action this week with the latest in our series of Vs… shows. Joining us on Friday Feb 17th are the Loud Mouth collective, a bunch of like minded musicians, producers, DJ’s, vocalists, artists, designers, photographers and film makers. Musically LM crosses several genres including…

We love a bank holiday weekend here at State, offering as it does the chance to cram in a large number of gigs into a few days. This May’s long weekend is already shaping up nicely with the news that our favourite rock ‘n’ roll sibling trio Kitty, Daisy & Lewis will be playing Whelan’s…

After a long battle with addiction, Whitney Houston has been found dead in a LA hotel room on the eve of the annual Grammy awards. The singer was discovered unconscious in the Beverly Hills Hilton hours before attending Clive Davis’ pre-show party. No cause of death has yet been confirmed. Hosuton was 48 years old.…

UK electronic trio We Have Band are out on tour this month in support of their second album Ternion. They play the Academy 2 in Dublin on Saturday 18th. Here’s what makes them tick.
Who are you and where are you from?…
We are Thomas W-P and Darren Bancroft from London. Dede W-P from

Recent Face of 2012 SertOne has drawn inspiration from the late J Dilla for his latest release Quesadillas. The four track EP comes ahead of his appearance at a special tribute night to the hip-hop producer to be held in Liverpool tonight and is available for donation here. All proceeds go to the J Dilla…

Voted for by over 19,000 music fans, the Irish Festival Awards were set up in 2007 by the people behind the Castlepalooza event. This year’s results have just been announced and see the Electric Picnic dominate proceedings:
Best Large Festival: Electric Picnic
Best Medium Festival: Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival
Best Small Festival: Body & Soul…

Enjoying a quiet start to the year after a fine 2011, Ham Sandwich ease back into action with a special vinyl and digital release of their superb White Fox… album. The physical, black plastic version will be available from February 14th and will be available from the band’s website as well as selected record stores.

Welcome to a new month and yet more quality Irish music here on State. Grand Pocket Orchestra release their second album Ronald & Sylma… on 24th and we’re delighted to bring you the stream of lead single ‘Wednesday’. Having spent their time off indulging in various side projects, the track sees one of our favourite

Based in East London but, as we shall see, with an Irish connection, Django Django have just released their self-titled debut album and play Crawdaddy in Dublin on Feb 23rd. We already know that they make an intriguing electronic rock ‘n’ roll sound, but what else makes them tick?
Who are you and where are …

It’s always one of the highlights of the Irish music year – certainly in terms of a discussion point – and March 8th will see the Choice Music Prize host its first live event in new home the Olympia Theatre. All ten nominees for the album of year (And So I Watch You From Afar,…

Having moved to London last year, The Cast Of Cheers take their first step into the world of traditional record releases with new single ‘Family’, due on February 3rd via School Boy Error.
As previously reported, the quartet tour their new homeland in support of the release along with new-wavers Theme Park.
The video for…

Since the shenanigans surrounding their second album release, Delorentos have found everything they do framed by that certain part of their back story. It didn’t help that, despite the promise of lead single ‘S.E.C.R.E.T.’, You Can Make Sound… was not quite the record it could have been. Since its release, the band have maintained their

This Friday night sees the launch of Quompilation 2…, the second compilation from the fine indie label Quarter Inch Collective. As with the first release, it features a number of Quarter Inch related acts performing a selection of covers – with inspiration coming from Jedward and Tieranniesaur and all points inbetween. The launch gig

After a few years that saw a drastic deterioration in her health, soul and blues legend Etta James passed away on Friday – a few days short of her 74th birthday. The singer, who released her final album The Dreamer in November, had been suffering from chronic leukemia, hepatitis C and dementia. Beyonce, who played…