State of Mind

Producers - Auckland

real name: Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell

As New Zealanders, we take an interest in following the careers of our local musicians, and are always thrilled by news from abroad of recognition and international achievement. The pleasure is increased further when we hear of our artists’ contemporaries heaping praise upon their musical efforts. And while New Zealand has produced an impressive amount of successful rock and hip hop artists, our strength also lies in turning out world class drum and bass producers.

The success of acts like Concord Dawn, Bulletproof, and more recently, Wellington’s The Upbeats and the world domination of trans-Tasman friends Pendulum, has turned Australasia (and more specifically Aotearoa) into a ‘place to watch’ for the upper echelon of drum and bass DJ’s and label owners. State Of Mind is a name that is being added to that list of global achievement in 2005.

State Of Mind is a duo consisting of Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell. The two certified audio engineers met in 1999 through the local drum and bass scene; finding that they both shared a background in hard rock music, and even trip hop, it was drum and bass that was the most powerful link between the two. Many long nights were spent taking in some of the most exciting gigs the NZ drum and bass scene has experienced. This in turn inspired Stu and Pat to pool their talents and work toward creating their own take on this music they enjoyed so much. Finding an instant chemistry, and positive feedback from their first efforts in both in New Zealand and abroad, the duo increased their dedication to production by both obtaining a diploma in audio engineering at SAE in Auckland.

Early State of Mind tracks, ‘Allow Me’ and ‘Battle Cats’ earned them play on several local radio stations, and with this came further incentive to work hard at progressing their skills.

2004 was the year that these talented musicians really hit their stride and developed their own undeniably powerful and original style. Once the mold was cast, the tunes began to flow thick and fast – and they show no sign of slowing up!

One of the first UK artists’ to take an interest in State Of Mind was Oxford-based duo (and arguably the most prolific artists in the history of drum and bass), Total Science. While touring New Zealand in late 2004, Q Project and Spinback were introduced to the State Of Mind sound. Blown away by the strength of the music they heard, the Oxford legends instantly sought to work with the talented duo.

Total Science have long been a musical influence for State Of Mind, so this meeting, and subsequent label interest served as a ‘coming of age’ for the producers. Unfortunately, at the time of this encounter Stu was away on holiday, and with no phone contact he was unable to be a part of the initial dealings with the lads’ heroes. Thinking that Stu may not quite be able to believe this course of events, Pat asked Q Project to write a note for Stu expressing their interest, so the story would be believable once he returned. (It was not of course to rub his nose in the fact he wasn’t present the night Pat partied with some of State of Mind’s musical champions!). The note was then photographed in the hands of Mr Q Project to seal the deal.

Label signings have amassed since this encounter. With releases on the shelves now from Total Science’ ‘CIA Recordings’, Simon Bassline Smith’s ‘Technique’ Recordings, two tunes on the current ‘Bad Company Presents Bad Taste’ LP, and forthcoming releases on Futurebound’s ‘Viper’ label, and Doc Scott’s ’31 Records’ the boys are definitely on a roll with no respite on the horizon.

Many will be astounded by this kind of success at such an early point in their careers – that is, until they hear the music the duo has produced. Jackhammer snares, gut-churning kick drums and thunderous sub-bass are paired with a seemingly endless supply of infectious basslines and thematic effects. Ditching the blueprint standard of many drum n bass tunes, the State Of Mind construction has continuously achieved its goal of optimum dancefloor satisfaction.

Tracks from the lads are currently on high rotate in the sets of Concord Dawn, Bulletproof, The Upbeats, Pendulum, Klute, Teebee, Bad Company, DJ Friction, Total Science, DJ Craze, Futurebound and many more.

While 2004 may have been the year State Of Mind came of age production-wise, 2005 looks set to be a year of global recognition and further achievement that will once again prove how well New Zealanders understand what has always been considered the UK’s own music.

State Of Mind host the 95BFM drum ‘n’ bass show ‘Next Level’ (Thursday 11pm-1am www.95bfm.com) bi-weekly (with DJ Presha handling the other weeks) and as DJ’s have played several major music festivals in New Zealand including Resolution 2005, attended by some 7000 people. In August 2005, they played support on all 3 dates of Pendulum’s ‘Hold Your Colour’ LP tour across New Zealand which was a massive success and have also travelled to Australia to play support for Matrix and the USA’s Dieselboy.

To top off this year of high profile guest supports they have been invited to tour New Zealand with Concord Dawn in November as special guests.

RELEASES AVAILABLE NOW

SUN KING / THE HUMAN TORCH – CIA RECORDS 12” (CIA026) DIFFERENT STROKES / INSECTICIDE – BAD COMPANY PRESENTS ‘BAD TASTE’ LP DEVIL EYES / DREADROCK – TECHNIQUE RECORDINGS 12” AUGUST

RELEASES FORTHCOMING

REAL MCCOY / REGURGITATOR – CIA RECORDS 12” SEPTEMBER ALMOST MONDAY – ADVANCED EP OCTOBER MIND SLICER / NATIONS – 31 RECORDS 12” SEPTEMBER VIRGIN DUB – HORIZONS RECORDS EP OCTOBER HOLD DOWN – VIPER RECORDINGS 12” OCTOBER JUNK DUST- HOSTILE RECORDS EP OCTOBER