By Your Side

Industry DEMO of material for a Spring release. 

Borderlines - DEMO

The first single from State of Play's forthcoming EP, 'What it is to Be' lyrically charts the rise of human kind, from hunter gatherer to the most technologically advanced and dominant species (for better or worse) on earth today. Already quite a departure from your usual pop/hip hop themes. This concept builds momentum throughout the track, which is mirrored musically as the song evolves from a spacious and ethereal XX-esq groove, to a full on, driving, distorted riff in the second verse. Finally it crescendo's in a cacophonic wall of sound, as singer Missy McAnulty's soaring vocals echo the earlier themes of Anthony's verses in a melodious flurry that sits on top of the thrashing drums and guitars

Co-producers
Benjamin Williams
Alex Fernandes

Mixing/Mastering
Lee Wary


Biography
Blending elements of alternative rock, and socially conscious hip hop, State of Play wear a healthy disrespect for genre boundaries on their collective sleeve.  Crossing seamlessly from the neo-soul swagger and urban vibes of The Roots, to the wearied tenderness of Lauryn Hill, to the thrashing drive of Rage Against the Machine and The Pixies – State of Play prove that you don’t have to play it safe to be accessible. 

Given the melting pot mentality at heart of the band’s sound, it’s perhaps surprising that in the context of their tight, powerful compositions it’s the similarity rather than the diversity of their influences that shine through. The fine-tuned formula of mixing insightful lyrics and anthemic chorus hooks with infectious grooves that you can't stop yourself nodding along to, has proven to be a success. 

This is especially evident in the live arena, where the front trio of Anthony (A-Mens) Mensah, Melissa (Missy) McAnulty and Ahmar (S.V) Ferguson never fail to win the crowd over. Meanwhile, guitarist Alex (Fando) Fernandes applies his prodigious talent with unreserved glee and the rhythm section (Will Kerr on bass and Ben Spooner on drums) clearly enjoy surfing their shared wavelength. Taken together, it’s enough to convert even the most stoic, cross-armed cynics into bouncing believers well before the encore.

Delivering a message that genuinely seems to resonate with the masses, the group clearly belong to a tradition that sees music as a weapon, with their sonic cross-over credentials proving the perfect vehicle for the band’s social commentary. There’s an infectious sort of joy you usually only find in people who truly believe in their work. State of Play have it in droves. Combine that with an uncompromising fighting spirit and you have a recipe for something truly memorable.

What It Is To Be

True to its name Like Paper Planes positively soars. The motoric verses build an implacable momentum, Anthony and Ahmar taking turns to stoke the engine before the whole composition heads off the edge of a cliff, hanging suspended for a moment before the chorus kicks in, Missy’s voice careering skyward as if caught in a thermal.

Switching to halftime and back with anthemic emphasis, it’s a hook that makes you want to throw your arms around the world – a perfect antidote to the 21st Century brand of isolation detailed by the lyric.

Co-producers
Benjamin Williams
Alex Fernandes

Mixing/Mastering
Lee Wary

Like Paper Planes

Borderlines

Blending elements of alternative rock, and socially conscious hip hop, State of Play wear a healthy disrespect for genre boundaries on their collective sleeve.  Crossing seamlessly from the neo-soul swagger and urban vibes of The Roots, to the wearied tenderness of Lauryn Hill, to the thrashing drive of Rage Against the Machine and The Pixies – State of Play prove that you don’t have to play it safe to be accessible. 

Given the melting pot mentality at heart of the band’s sound, it’s perhaps surprising that in the context of their tight, powerful compositions it’s the similarity rather than the diversity of their influences that shine through. The fine-tuned formula of mixing insightful lyrics and anthemic chorus hooks with infectious grooves that you can't stop yourself nodding along to, has proven to be a success. 

This is especially evident in the live arena, where the front trio of Anthony (A-Mens) Mensah, Hydieku Warwick and Ahmar (S.V) Ferguson never fail to win the crowd over. Meanwhile, guitarist Alex (Fando) Fernandes applies his prodigious talent with unreserved glee and the rhythm section (Damien Ricaud on bass and Ben Spooner on drums) clearly enjoy surfing their shared wavelength. Taken together, it’s enough to convert even the most stoic, cross-armed cynics into bouncing believers well before the encore.

Delivering a message that genuinely seems to resonate with the masses, the group clearly belong to a tradition that sees music as a weapon, with their sonic cross-over credentials proving the perfect vehicle for the band’s social commentary. There’s an infectious sort of joy you usually only find in people who truly believe in their work. State of Play have it in droves. Combine that with an uncompromising fighting spirit and you have a recipe for something truly memorable.


Lead Guitar: Alex (Fando) Fernandes

Bass: Damien Ricaud

Drums: Ben Spooner

Vocalists: Ahmar (S.V) Ferguson & Hydieku Warwick

Rapper: Anthony (A-Mens) Mensah

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