State of Mind: Biography, Discography and More | EDM Encyclopedia
Introduction
State of Mind is a drum and bass duo from Wellington, New Zealand, comprised of producers Stu Maxwell and Patrick Hawkins. Active since 2006, the project has built a substantial catalog spanning over a decade of production work. Their emergence from a country more commonly associated with indie rock than electronic music export adds context to their output, positioning them as representatives of New Zealand’s smaller but dedicated drum and bass community.
New Zealand’s geographic distance from the United Kingdom and Europe, where drum and bass originated and maintains its largest audiences, has shaped the way artists from the country engage with the genre. State of Mind developed their sound within this isolation, absorbing international influences while maintaining a perspective informed by their local environment. Wellington’s electronic music scene, though modest in scale compared to major international cities, has supported consistent creative output from the duo.
Their documented activity begins in 2006 and extends through 2019, encompassing five studio albums and two EPs. This level of output places them among the more productive acts in New Zealand’s electronic music for djs landscape. The duo’s commitment to the album format as a primary vehicle for their music distinguishes them from producers who focus primarily on singles.
State of Mind’s longevity in a competitive genre reflects their ability to adapt their production approach while maintaining recognizable characteristics. Their catalog demonstrates evolution across thirteen years of work, documenting changes in both their personal techniques and the broader trajectory of drum and bass production technology. The consistency of their output quality across this period suggests a disciplined approach to their craft.
Genre and Style
State of Mind operates within the drum and bass spectrum, with a specific orientation toward the darker, technically focused end of the genre. Their music engages with neurofunk and techstep traditions while incorporating elements from other electronic music styles. This positioning places emphasis on production precision, complex rhythm programming, and controlled sound design rather than immediate accessibility or vocal-driven hooks.
The drum and bass Sound
Their rhythmic construction demonstrates a methodical approach to breakbeat manipulation. Rather than relying on static drum loops, State of Mind builds percussion patterns that evolve across a track’s duration. Individual drum hits receive detailed processing, with attention to transient shaping and envelope control that gives their rhythms a distinctive physical quality. This level of drum programming requires significant technical skill and contributes to the driving character of their productions.
The bass work in their catalog favors clean, powerful low-end over distorted mid-range aggression. Sub-bass frequencies form the foundation of their tracks, providing weight that translates effectively to club sound systems. When they introduce more complex bass textures, these elements maintain clarity and definition rather than collapsing into wall-of-sound distortion. This restraint allows their arrangements to maintain separation between components even during dense passages.
State of Mind’s treatment of atmosphere and melody tends toward the industrial and textural. Synthesizer elements in their work often function as environmental features rather than prominent melodic voices, creating spatial depth through reverb and delay processing. This approach to sound design creates immersive listening environments that complement their rhythmic and bass elements without competing for attention.
Their production aesthetic reflects a preference for control and precision. Mixes across their catalog demonstrate consistent attention to frequency balance and spatial placement, allowing complex arrangements to remain coherent. This technical foundation supports their creative choices, ensuring that experimental elements integrate with the track’s overall structure.
Key Releases
State of Mind’s confirmed discography spans thirteen years, encompassing five studio albums and two EPs released between 2006 and 2019.
- Take Control
- Faster Than Light
- Nil by Ear
- Sleepcreep / Futurus
- Eat the Rich
Discography Highlights
Albums:
Take Control (2006): The duo’s debut album, arriving in their first year of documented activity. This record established their presence in the drum and bass community and introduced their approach to full-length production. Its release coincided with their first EP, marking a productive launch for the project.
Faster Than Light (2009): Their second full-length, arriving after a three-year development period. This album provided an opportunity to refine the production techniques introduced on their debut while expanding their sonic range.
Nil by Ear (2011): The third State of Mind album, released during a particularly active year that also saw the arrival of their Sleepcreep / Futurus EP. This concurrent release schedule suggests a period of high productivity for the duo.
Eat the Rich (2014): Their fourth fl studio album continued their pattern of multi-year intervals between full-length releases. Arriving three years after their previous album, this record represents ongoing engagement with the album format as a primary creative outlet.
Land of the Blind (2019): Their most recent confirmed album. The five-year gap between this release and their previous record marks the longest interval in their catalog. This extended period between albums may reflect changes in their production process, external commitments, or a deliberate approach to material development.
EPs:
Back to the Jungle (2006): Released during their debut year alongside Take Control. This EP provided additional material that complemented their first album, establishing their sound across multiple release formats from the outset.
Sleepcreep / Futurus (2011): A two-track EP released concurrently with their third album. The timing suggests these tracks were recorded during the same creative period as the album but positioned as standalone material, potentially targeting DJs and club play rather than album-oriented listening.
The trajectory of State of Mind’s output reveals a project that began with concentrated activity and gradually extended the intervals between releases. Their catalog provides a documented progression of their production capabilities across a significant span of electronic EDM music history history.
Famous Tracks
State of Mind, the New Zealand drum and bass duo comprised of Stu Maxwell and Patrick Hawkins, built their catalogue through consistent releases starting in the mid-2000s. Their debut album Take Control arrived in 2006, establishing their bass-heavy production style. That same year, the Back to the Jungle EP demonstrated their early commitment to dancefloor-focused tracks.
Their sophomore effort, Faster Than Light (2009), showed a refinement of their sound. By 2011, they released two distinct projects: the album Nil by Ear and the Sleepcreep / Futurus EP. The dual release that year highlighted their ability to produce both full-length albums and shorter format releases simultaneously.
Eat the Rich dropped in 2014, adding another album to their growing catalogue. Their most recent confirmed full-length, Land of the Blind, arrived in 2019. Across these releases, State of Mind maintained a presence in the international drum and bass scene, representing New Zealand’s contribution to the genre.
Live Performances
State of Mind brought their DJ/producer setup to venues across New Zealand and internationally. Their performances centered on DJ sets featuring their own productions alongside selected tracks from the wider drum and bass spectrum. The duo’s background as producers translated into sets that showcased their recorded work.
Notable Shows
New Zealand’s geographic isolation meant the pair often toured internationally to reach broader audiences. They performed at clubs and festivals where their releases found receptive crowds. Their catalogue of albums and EPs provided substantial material for extended sets, allowing them to draw from multiple projects spanning their career.
The duo’s live presence helped maintain their visibility between album releases. With confirmed releases spanning from 2006 to 2019, their performance schedule reflected an active touring career running alongside their studio output. Their longevity allowed them to develop a performance approach informed by years of audience response across different venues and countries.
Why They Matter
State of Mind represents New Zealand’s capacity to produce electronic music that reaches beyond local boundaries. Operating from a country geographically distant from the major hubs of electronic music, the duo released six confirmed albums and two EPs between 2006 and 2019. This output demonstrates a sustained work ethic over more than a decade.
Impact on drum and bass
Their discography maps a trajectory through the drum and bass genre during a period of significant change. From Take Control through Land of the Blind, the pair released music as production technology evolved and distribution shifted toward digital platforms. Their ability to maintain releases across this transition speaks to their adaptability.
The duo’s work also contributed to validating New Zealand as a source for drum and bass. While the UK and Europe dominated discussions of the genre, State of Mind’s consistent release schedule and touring helped establish a presence for antipodean producers. Their confirmed releases provide a documented timeline of a career spent producing within a specific musical tradition, offering a reference point for understanding how drum and bass spread globally.
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