Finally, the cat is out of the bag and other such clichés.
Last May, I was contacted by Phil Udell regarding a new Irish music magazine he and others were in the beginnings of setting up. I met up with Phil, John Walshe and other contributors. It all sounded very exciting and I agreed it was definitely something that was needed badly in Ireland. The crux of the idea was to produce an intelligent monthly music magazine with no genre boundaries, vibrant, intelligent writing which would embrace the blogosphere as one of its primary goals. I agreed to get involved with State at that meeting, humbled that I had been asked and galvanised by the ideas flying around at its inception.
It wasn’t going to happen overnight obviously, so I stuck to the day job in web design and waited for the opportunity to arise when State would become a reality. The time finally came in November to leave my occupation. Since then, my experiences in writing about music professionally has been extremely positive. Hell, it doesn’t even feel like a job! It’s a beautiful thing when the thing you love more than anything else in the world becomes something you: a) Make a living from, b) Get to talk about everyday and c) Get to write about everyday. I could go on to the letter Z…
As well as getting to grips with professional music journalism, I have, of course been working hard on the website for State which is the main reason for this post as the site, a magazine-style blog has gone live today. I’m delighted with the end result and ecstatic about the content we pulled together for the launch.
We have an exclusive Irish interview with Hot Chip, Goldfrapp and Lupe Fiasco album reviews, a Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip live review, Explosions in the Sky tickets to giveaway, the FIRST announcement of the Irish acts playing South by Southwest and the first mix in a hopefully long-running State mix series by Nouveaunoise. It’s only the beginning.
The first print issue of State Magazine will be out on March 6th nationwide and we have some big features lined-up. Futhermore, State has an international flavour with a number of prominent bloggers from around the world also getting involved. I will, of course continue to do what I do here on Nialler9 as well as maintain State.ie. A big thanks to Roger, John, Phil, Simon, Arlene and Susan for their hard work so far. I’m looking forward to the future 🙂 .
Jim Carroll has an exclusive on the magazine in The Ticket today.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
N9,
Good man! You’re living the dream dude. Blogger turned Pro Muso Journo, nice work. Here’s hoping that it’s all you hope. I have subscribed (as will all the other N9 subscribers I’d imagine.)
Incideltly, thanks for blogrolling Triplejaysus. (Any chance you could remove the space, making it all one word? Thanks.)
Good luck,
G
Is this the end of Nialler9????
Best of British luck, Nialler
The website looks great, congrats, best of luck…
good luck with it niall, by the look of the website it should last and do really well – here’s hoping it does!
Congrats! Like Garvan said, you’re living the dream! Looking forward to the first issue.
The signs were always there from the very beginning.
I think you were aged 3.
Wreckin my priceless Panasonic 3-in-1 stereo that cost £400 in 1980 something.
The needles cost £20 and I use to buy one every month.
You owe me a fortune!
The Thriller 12″ is still around – sorry
Looks brilliant Nialler – job very well done!
Best of luck with the new job Niall and with the launch of the magazine.
Ro
Yoyo secret agent man! Kept that well under wraps (I do also live in a bubble though so maybe not!)
Good stuff Nialler – site looks great – ya talented fecker- best of luck to ya!
Congratulations Nialler, best of luck with it.
Good Luck smelly!
Best of luck homie!
Brilliant news, congratulations! Best of luck to you all…can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
good luck with this niall
awesome! good luck with this, could be really great 😉
actually, scratch that, it *is* really great! you’ve done a great job, the blog is looking brilliant already…
Good work, and enjoy the new job dude. And cheers to whoever linked to my soup recipe.
Best of luck with it, really looking forward to how the duality of the blog/physical mag works out. Well done.
Tom Blanche would be proud man
Fantastic news Niall! Look forward to picking it up- there’s definately been a gap for a mag like this.
DEADLY!!!! you headin’ swifts man?
I could gush a lot in this comment, but I’ll leave it til I see you later. I’m so happy for you, and wish you and state all the best.
That comment from Pai was v cool!
Thanks for all the comments folks, mucho appreciated!
best of luck, niall. site looks great & i hope it goes from strength to strength. fair play!
Really awesome news Niall, all the best. I initially thought this would mean be bad news for nialler9, but then realised it will probably mean quite the opposite. The experience and contacts you make in the day job are going to make both the site and the blog pretty essential reading! Exciting times methinks.
Best of luck with the new job. I’m looking forward to reading the magazine, the new site looks great.
fair play young fella. fair play. see ya soon please god
crap i spelled one of my middle names wrong,oh dear…
This is great news Niall, at last we have someone on the inside!
Nice! Very exciting. I’m looking forward to the long-forgotten experience of magazine-buying.
All the best Nailler! Looking forward to State…
Are you heading to SXSW?
Nailler? Bah! Nialler 😀
wahoo!
chewbacca defence 4eva!
looks great, congrats!
looking forward to the first issue! 🙂
Look good man, nice to see your fruits in action. Nice additions with the dashed lines and the left alignment. and its great to see you doing work that you actually enjoy!
Later man.
When im home ill be blaging tickets big time from you btw!