Alphastates
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Music recordings (EP and albums) |
Alphastates was an electro group from Dublin, Ireland, featuring Catherine Dowling on lead vocals and guitar, Gerry Horan on guitar, Stevie Kavanagh handling bass duties, and Graham Gilligan on drums. Mike O'Dowd, the original drummer, exited the band in 2008.
Their discography includes a single extended play titled Good Stuff (2003) alongside two studio albums: Made From Sand (2004) and Human Nature (2009). Unhappy with the initial version of Human Nature, the band chose to re-record it prior to its official release. The album’s lead track, "Champagne Glass," gained traction as a dance hit in New York City. Alphastates played at notable venues such as Phoenix Park and appeared on the television program Other Voices. Their festival appearances included prominent events like Oxegen, Electric Picnic, Indie-pendence, and the IMRO Showcase Tour.
The group remained active until 2010, when members decided to pursue different paths.
Style
Alphastates’ sound has been characterized as "dark", "rich", and "expansive". Their musical inspirations spanned artists such as Édith Piaf, Joy Division, Billie Holiday, Portishead, Nina Simone, Tom Waits, and Sonic Youth. Lead singer Catherine Dowling’s vocal style drew comparisons to both Beth Gibbons and Shirley Manson, noted for its emotive quality. Songwriting was a collective process involving all band members.
History
Originally formed in 2001 under the name Babelfish, the band rebranded to Alphastates in June 2003, making their debut appearance with the new identity at that year's Witnness festival. As Babelfish, they contributed to the 2003 double album EmBraces. Alphastates toured alongside artists including The Beta Band, Deus, Cat Power, Mercury Rev, Sinéad O'Connor, and Zero 7. Their performances extended to major European festivals such as Electric Picnic and Oxegen in Ireland. Additionally, their music was featured in several films, including a production from Belgium.
A review from July 2003 highlighted Dowling’s vocal delivery as a defining asset of the band. The December 2003 release of the Good Stuff EP was praised for its detailed production values. Their first full-length album, Made From Sand (2004), earned critical acclaim for its appealing fusion of electronic elements; notably, the track "Angel Kiss" achieved considerable online attention. At that time, Alphastates were regarded as overlooked due to limited enthusiasm for electronic music within the Irish music scene. They performed on Oxegen’s Green Room stage in July 2004 and recorded sessions for Other Voices later that year. The band also appeared at a sold-out O2 In The Park event held in Phoenix Park.
In 2008, Alphastates took part in the IMRO Showcase Tour. Following this period, drummer Mike O'Dowd left the group after becoming a father. The band continued to appear at festivals such as Indie-pendence and Electric Picnic; their tracks were included on Hot Press’s compilation CD Un-Laoised: Irish Acts At Electric Picnic 2008.
After expressing dissatisfaction with their sophomore album Human Nature, they opted to re-record it entirely. During this phase, Dowling experienced a vocal node that temporarily impaired her voice; with support from Glen Hansard and professional vocal coaching, she regained her singing ability. Released in April 2009, Human Nature received favorable critiques for its innovative blend of pop and dance styles and was listed among Joe Kavanagh’s "Top Twenty Irish Albums Of 2009". The single "Champagne Glass" attracted remix attention from New York-based DJs Arveene and Misk. Plans were underway to distribute the album across UK and US markets.
Alphastates performed their concluding concert at Dublin's Whelan's on 18 February 2010. The decision to disband was attributed to diverging personal commitments and waning enthusiasm. Post-breakup, Dowling prioritized family life but showed interest in pursuing solo projects; Horan engaged in soundtrack work, while Kavanagh continued his musical career with The Rags.
Members
- Catherine Dowling — Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Gerry Horan — Guitar, keyboards
- Stevie Kavanagh — Bass guitar, keyboards
- Graham Gilligan — Drums
Former members
- Mike O'Dowd — Drums
Discography
Alphastates' catalog includes one EP alongside two full-length albums:
- Good Stuff EP (2003)
- Made From Sand (2004)
- Human Nature (2009)