Sandman Magazine Review of 'Something for your ears...' published in the June edition 2008

Native State
Something for your ears …

Native State is the vehicle Ruth Slattery uses to share her soulful music with us, after listening to the
album it's definitely Aston Martin class. She has a touring band with two sometimes three other performers but the 12 track production is all her own work. After moving to Manchester she initially had Badly Drawn Boy Damon Gough as a housemate, then set up her own recording studio to produce this album and a fine recording it is too.
Opening track 'Dead Again' is a delightful example of the range of Ruth's voice and her talents on guitar, with much more to come. Some tracks are folky, others more jazzy and even a bit rocky but throughout we are kept company by Ruth's wonderful voice. 'Spiritualised' is more electro sounding with piano and synth vying for the lead and the vocals are even more stretched to Annie Lennox proportions. 'Happy' was perhaps the only track that didn't feel right as the percussion level
was a little too high, though the lyrics ' music makes me happy' I can definitely relate to.
Best track for me is 'Take The Best Things' easy listening maybe but a touch of class with great lyrics closely followed by the mesmeric 'Dream Of Sleep' where she talks her way through the intro then uses echoing vocals complimented by delightful keyboards giving the feel of being in a dreamlike state. Hints of the amazing Joan Armatrading in Ruth's voice and writing style, especially the closing track 'Dream Tree', but with her own eclectic sound indicating a bright future in store for Ms Slattery and Native State. They are currently working on a new EP, if it's more of the same I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Sean Bruce. Sandman Magazine June 2008   see this link to read the June issue.

 

ALL FM Breakfast Express Monday 25 February 2008

Hear Jase play a couple of tracks from our album 'Something for your ears...' plus an interview with Ruth from Native State. Tune in and give your ears an early morning treat.

Big Shout for Jase, the only breakfast show DJ playing new unsigned music. Good work - hear the newest music first on the ALL FM Breakfast Express every Monday 7 - 9 am on 96.9FM

If you missed the live broadcast click here to listen again

 

Chameleon EP is well on it’s way . . . 11 Feb 2008

We are back in the studio working on tracks for our Chameleon EP !

As you know we suffered the sad loss of our good friend and drummer, Ricky Dakers, to cancer last year before we were due to go into the studio, so we needed some time out.

We decided to finish what we started keeping the right feel for the songs.  We're using live drum loops and it's sounding great !

We'll let you know when it's ready……tell your ears it's coming soon !

 

Tribute to Ricky
I have some sad news. My good friend and drummer, Ricky Dakers died suddenly on 22 August.  He had a long fight with cancer which we thought he was winning but things took a sudden downturn.

He was a special person. A brilliant drummer with a real feel for everything we worked on - and he made me laugh a lot. 

I have been lucky to have known him on and off for the last 12 years in various bands including Native State and am proud to have had him as a friend.

I will miss him deeply as will the rest of the band, but we have some good memories so we'll remember the good times and how he used to make us laugh.

Ricky, I'll never forget you mate. Thanks for all the good times we had playing together.

Ruth x

 

Native State support Wallis Bird at Jabez Clegg Friday 28 September
Come & see Ruth & Vikki from Native State at Jabez Clegg: find Jabez Here

Free 3 track CD for evryone who comes to this gig - collect on the door.
Email Ruth for flyers E: ruth@native-state.co.uk or follow this link and print as many as you like !! :

Wallis Bird & Native State Flyer
It's going to be a great night - see you there !

 

CASTLE ROCKS CANCER .... we did it !!!

This event was a HUGE success, with £700 being raised over the two days which is being split jointly between Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care

I'm proud to have been part of it.

For a review see www.manchestermusic.co.uk and go to the Live section.

Thanks to everyone who took part.

 

NATIVE STATE VIDEO NOW SHOWING FROM MICROSOFT LIVE SESSIONS FINAL !!!

2 Nov 2006 at The Barfly, Camden, London!!!

We made the short list and got down to the last three, chosen by a panel of industry judges.

Although we didn’t walk off with £10,000 in our back pocket, we had a great time, got some great reviews and the promotional video of the final is now being shown on msn video until the end of January 2007. Check it out here

Native State play Radio One Open Mic slot at BreakInTheCity
Ruth from Native State played the Radio One Open Mic slot and went down a storm at the BreakInTheCty event on Saturday 28 October at The Bridgewater Hall.

Open Mic was hosted by Radio One's Huw Stevens. It was filmed by Channel 4 for their S4C Music Show 'Bandit' and will be broadcast on Thursday 9 November at 9.30pm. S4C is on Sky channel 135
Native State also had a demo reviewed by an expert panel of A&R, producers & media. The demo was very well received by both panel and audience, gaining spontaneous applause.

" Very interesting...great vocals.....commercial yet with a touch of the avant garde" Ron Atkinson (ex 808 state manager)

" Glorious....lovely sound....jazz....great vocals...commercial...and it breaks the rules" Pete Bear (Producer, Vertical Rooms)



BBC Radio Manchester Interview

		Native State performed at the Oxjam Acoustifest event at M19 Bar, Levenshulme on Friday 20 October. BBC Radio Manchester broadcast live from the event.
		Listen to Ruth from Native State being interviewed by Gail Sullivan : Ruth interview For more info on the rest of LevFest see :www.levenshulmefestival.co.uk