News

2013

"Cat Dowling writes beautifully dark pop songs. Her debut album "The Believer" is a collection of beautifully crafted and treasured songs, offering low-key beats coloured with layers of sonic delights and a voice both hushed and passionate that will punch you in the gut. The album is to be released in the US later in 2013."

2010

Alphastates remained active until 2010 before being "pulled in different directions".

During their existence they performed in the Phoenix Park and on Other Voices, as well as at music festivals such as Oxegen, Electric Picnic, Indie-pendence and the IMRO Showcase Tour.

April 2008

Alphastates tour dates in Ireland:

18 Apr 2008 20:00
Cleere's Kilkenny, Kilkenny

19 Apr 2008 20:00
Whelans Upstairs Dublin, Dublin

26 Apr 2008 20:00
The Granary Killarney, Kerry

29 Apr 2008 20:00
Roisin Dubh Galway, Galway

30 Apr 2008 20:00
An Bróg Cork, Cork

3 May 2008 20:00
Somewhere in Dingle Dingle, Kerry

4 May 2008 20:00
Somewhere else in Dingle Dingle, Kerry

February 2006

Alphastates update: "We've been quiet on d'internet but very busy at home. We're still finishing tracks, and we have started planning a tour for May. As per usual, the private life threw some curveballs so it's not been a simple as all that. However, we have really itchy feet at this stage and we want to get playing again.

We have a gig in Dingle in May, either the 10th or 11th I think. Also we're going to the Czech Republic in July, which we can't wait for. Our plan is to play Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick in May, perhaps a few more if we can.

We will be putting up some new tracks on My Space for a listen in a few weeks, and there'll be a free download on the site in the next few months, April perhaps. We're also making arrangements for recording the album proper, who we'll do it with etc., and we are hoping to do a few gigs in Germany soon.

We'll update the site when we have these things arranged, in the meantime be assured that we're alive and kicking."

December 2004

Alphastates performed on Other Voices 3 in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

December 18, Saturday: The Village, Dublin
December 20, Monday: Olympia, Dublin (supporting The Frames)

October 2004

Hot Press: Top Irish bands selected for Tisch competition.

Alphastates, Headgear, La Rocca and Republic Of Loose are among the bands that will have music videos made by students at New York's Tisch School of the Arts

Ten bands are suitably cock-a-hoop this week after being told they're going to have a free video made for them by students of the internationally renowned Tisch School of the Arts.

Following much late night deliberation, the judges have given the nod to The Immediate, Alphastates, Headgear, La Rocca, Republic Of Loose, Halite, Juno Falls, Rulers Of The Planet, Baby Jenks and Me In The Park.

Run in association with Hot Press, Tisch 2004 attracted so many quality entries from around the country that it was decided to double the number of promo clips up for grabs.

Part of New York University, Tisch is responsible for getting the likes of Martin Scorcese, Oliver Stone and Spike Lee up and running.

Returning to the subject of Headgear, John Kelly is so enamoured of their eponymous debut album that he's made them his Mystery Train 'Dining Car' band for November. The Limerick outfit were out in Radio One last week recording six tracks which will be broadcast on successive Tuesdays along with assorted words of wisdom from mainman Darragh Dukes.

August 2004

Alphastates play Hard Working Class Heroes 2004

Alphastates
Day: Friday
Venue: The Hub
Time: 10.40-11.10

Biog: "Critically acclaimed for their stunning mix of ambient electronica, insidiously catchy pop and driven by the hook-laden breathy vocals of Catherine Dowling. Alphastates release their next single, Last Day of Summer which, according to Hot Press, is "pure class", on the 27th August."

August 3 2004

Hot Press: Derry G4 Music Festival announces line-up

Alphastates, The Answer, Fighting With Wire (and BYO beer) are among the attractions of the unsigned artists music festival

The Sperrin Mountains provide the backdrop on August 28 as the G4 Music Festival returns to Draperstown in County Derry.

A sort of anti-Slane, the three-stage line features unsigned acts from Ireland, Britain, France, Spain, Germany, South Africa and the USA who'll all by vying for the attention of the attending A&R pack.

Confirmed so far are Aine, Alphastates, The Answer, Ann Scott, Ben Reel, Driving By Night, Edgeweather, The Evangelists, Fighting With Wire, Fisto, Fractured, The Humbleweeds, Innuendo, Invinyl, Label, Mantic, Mojofury, Paul Casey, Pharaoh House Crash, Spree, Tireile and Über.

Tickets priced £15 are available now from wegottickets.com and – joy of joys – you can bring your own beer as long as it's not in glass bottles.

July 2004

Alphastates play Oxegen 2004 on Sunday, July 11.

April 2004

Alphastates hit the High Stool this Thursday April 22nd with support from the fast rising Supermodel Twins.

The Things are also in the High Stool this Saturday night April 24th support from Mainline.

Then it's NME favourites The Cribs in Dolans (upstairs) on Wednesday April 28th.

That brings us to the long awaited return of Jetplane Landing on Friday April 30th in the High Stool.

January 29 2004

Hot Press: Alphastates to stage fundraiser for stolen laptop

Alphastates and an impressive line-up of friends will hold a fundraising event at The Sugar Club this Friday night.

On November 9 of last year Alphastates played a typically excellent gig at the Sugar Club. Showered with applause and the usual foot-stomping mania that follows their performances, one punter felt that theft thought the appropriate response. The band's laptop was never seen again.

As well as containing music and mailing list information, the laptop in question contained unspecified, irreplaceable "important stuff".

Not expecting that the thief would actually return the laptop, Alphastates are holding a fundraising event this Friday, January 30, in the hope of purchasing a new one.

The gig, which will be held at the same fateful venue, will feature Alphastates, Life After Modelling, Neosupervital, Declan O'Rourke, Ann Scott, Ellison 9, Arveene and Johnny Moy.

A top line-up for a good cause, tickets are priced at €8 (before 9pm), €10 (after 10.30pm).

November 28 2003

dublinks.com: Dublin's melodic electronica band, Alphastates launch their “Good Stuff” EP at The Sugar Club on the 29th of November.

Alphastates was formed in 2001 by Catherine Dowling, Karl Odlum and Gerry Horan. Gerry had seen Catherine perform in the singer/songwriter circuit and liked her edgy songs and her subtle singing style.

They decided to form a band and just happened to meet Karl Odlum (former bass player with The Mary Janes) around town and he joined the band as well. All three were interested in well-written songs, backed with funky electronia and interesting sonic atmospheres. The band started to put their ideas down on home recordings and soon had a set of songs.

Alphastates began to play live on the Dublin music scene but Karl had been drafted into Gemma Hayes line-up and took a backseat role as producer and collaborator with the band. Stevie Kavanagh came into the band to replace Karl and Jimmy Behan, electronica composer, started playing keyboards with the band. The band's live set up was completed with Tim McGrath on the drums, who previously worked with Paddy Casey.

Alphastates released their debut EP “Sometimes” on their own Magi Label in 2002. The EP was very well received critically and was well aired on Tom Dunne's Petsounds. In November 2002 the band released “Conversations With Robots” and the critics raved again. This gig in The Sugar Club sees the band release their “Good Stuff” EP in anticipation of their forthcoming album Made from Sand.

The band began recording their debut album in the Black Box studio in France in the summer of 2002. The album Made from Sand was finished in Dublin and comprises 11 songs with a wide variety of styles and sonic techniques. The album is due for release in early 2004 and is produced by Karl Odlum.

The band earned a great reception for their performance with Sinéad O'Connor at the Olympia. They have become a regular treat at the Witness Festival where they have always gone down a storm. This gig in the Sugar Club is a welcome opportunity to see one of Dublin's most exciting new acts.

Time : 8pm
Tickets : €10 before 10, €15 after.

The Sugar Club
8 Lower Lesson St,
Dublin 2.
Tel : 6787188

November 1 2003

Tyrone Constitution News: "THE 2003 Omagh Arts Festival continues to attract good audiences of locals and visitors to the area with its wide range of events and performances.

This incoming week continues the mix of music and theatre, with some ‘not-to-be-missed’ highlights, including the performance of jazz vocalist Siobhan Pettit in Omagh Golf Club this evening.

For younger listeners the ‘main event’ of the week is the gig with ‘Alphastates’ on Saturday night, November 1. The venue for this has been changed, and the group will now perform at Omagh Rugby Club at 9p.m. Alphastates will grab your attention with the coolness of their angular pop and leftfield sounds. Formerly known as Babelfish the band changed its name to Alphastates in June 2003.

Alphastates played a storm on the Upstage at Witness on Saturday, July 12 where they shared stages with The Streets, Underworld and The Roots among others. With their new single ‘Good Stuff’ due for release in early November, and their debut album scheduled to hit the shops in February 2004, the band is being hailed as one of Ireland’s most original acts at the moment.

Supporting alphastates will be up and coming Omagh group ‘Saragemo’. The five young local musicians who are gaining a name for themselves having also participated at the ‘Fiesta’ Carnival in June, play a mixture of indie rock and Brit pop, combining covers form bands including White Stripes and Oasis, with some of their own material."

November 2003

Mick O'Dowd joins Alphastates on drums.

June 5 2003

Hot Press: Stating their case

Babelfish change their name to Alphastates, and celebrate with a knees up in Whelan's.

Having changed their names to Alphastates, ambient Dublin popsters Babelfish hold a rechristening party at Whelan's on June 27.

Catherine Dowling, Gerry Horan and Karl Odlum have also been added to the Witnness bill and are set to embark on a nationwide tour.

Scour the shops and you should be able to find a copy of last year's Phantom FM endorsed single, 'Conversations With Robots'.

2002-2003

Stevie Kavanagh joins the band on bass, to replace Karl Odlum who is touring with Gemma Hayes.

2001

The band are formed by Catherine and Gerry, with the name "Babelfish".