Artist description Minneapolis trio STATE4 claims to be a blend of electronica and rock presented with a trip-hop vibe. What you're actually hearing is what happens when real songwriters take on a notoriously shallow genre, like dance music. STATE4 is sensual and sassy, inspiring and interesting, fun and fascinating, dark and direct. Laura's vocals easily bounce between the subtle black licorice of a pulpy sex queen and the butterscotch bright of a "normal girl" smitten. Behind her we hear a complex synthesis of kinetic, driving beats and brooding atmospheric melodies. Their album "Less than Happy" is deep, endearing and approachable. With a stage show filled with a passion the Minneapolis scene may have forgotten, STATE4 seem readily poised to take over. -- Chris Meger, WAX 1.3

Music Style dark delicious downtempo

Similar Artists Garbage, Portishead, Republica, Sneaker Pimps, Hooverphonic, Curve, Massive Attack, Natalie Merchant, Moby

Artist History The first true realization of STATE4 came in early 1997, when Nick recorded and released the first EP, Retrospect. Mid-1999 brought about the peak of the STATE4 instrumental style with the release of the self-titled full-length album STATE4, which consolidated a number of previous works mixed with originals onto a single disc. This ended STATE4's solo era and in 2000 released it's first vocal CD "Issues in Monochrome". The years passed, drummers and singers exchanged. And after 5 years, STATE4 is finally left with the latest and definitely best line-up.

Group Members Laura Hillman -- Vocals; Nick Mitchell -- Guitars, keyboards, programming, vocoder; Andy Davies -- Keyboards, programming, backing vox

Instruments Software: ACID, Vegas, Waves plug-ins, XFX plug-ins, izotope plug-ins, ohmForce plug-ins; Keyboards: Korg Triton, Korg MS200, Korg Prophecy, Korg X5, Korg Wavestation, Korg PolySix; Guitars: Jackson Fusion, Fernandes Sustainer; Amps: Line6 Flextone HD, Line6 Vetta

Albums Less Than Happy [2002]; Ambient Works[2001]; Issues In Monochrome[2000]; STATE4[1999]; Ascension[1999]; Brood[1998]; Retrospect[1997]

Location Minneapolis, Minnesota - USA

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