Ireland's new music monthly states its case

A new Irish monthly music magazine is set to appear on the news-stands in March. The team behind State magazine believe their new title will appeal to those 20- to 40-year-old music fans who currently buy monthly UK music magazines, writes Jim Carroll .

Music photographer Roger Woolman, who has worked in the past with Rolling Stone and NME magazines, is one of those who has set up State . A chartered accountant before taking up photography full-time, Woolman believes State can succeed in what is a cut-throat business.

"We started doing market research and feasibility studies for this a couple of years ago," Woolman says, "and we believe there is a market for a quality title like this in Ireland."

He feels State 's emphasis on quality in such areas as photography and design will set it apart from the competition.

"In a digital age, quality original photography has been downgraded. We will be shooting a lot of film-based spreads and aiming for a visually upmarket publication."

When it comes to the journalism, Woolman stresses the "old-fashioned standards" which State will promote.

"Music journalism needs to have depth for the demographic we're aiming for. You can get your immediate, throwaway stuff online, and our website will be covering those news stories, but I think you have to have more in-depth features for print."

State will be edited by ex- Hot Press writers John Walshe and Phil Udell.

Others working on the title include art director Simon Roche and award-winning blogger Niall "Nialler9" Byrne who will be managing the State website (which goes live today).

State will be competing with such imported titles as Uncut , Mojo and The Word , all of which sell here every month.

"There will be an overlap between State and those magazines, but we're filling a different gap," Woolman says.

"Our content will come with a big slice of Irish personality for a start. We'll also be covering Irish bands and music in depth, but it won't be tokenistic. Those bands will have to earn their place in the magazine."

The first issue of State goes on sale on March 6th. See www.state.ie for more.

© 2008 The Irish Times