Since dropping into solo ownership the First State project, now in the hands of Sander van der Waal, is going from strength to strength. A new artist album and the premier of his very own label, First State Music...

If you thought that it was the end of First State when Ralphie B moved away from the project during May last year then you are very much mistaken. Since taking full control of the project Sander van der Waal has kept up the workload and put together a new artist album called ‘Changing lanes’ featuring a few notable singles, one of which being the gorgeous vocal ‘Brave’ featuring Sarah Howells. That album has been out for just over a month and been very well received by the dance music population. Coming on from that on the production front he has polished off a remix for Tiesto’s ‘Kaleidoscope Remixed’ album for the track ‘Feel it in my bones’ and will be releasing ‘Cross The Line’ from the album in the next few weeks for which he has put together his very first music video for. One bit of exciting news for fans of First State though this month is the launch of his very own label, through Black Hole Recordings, that he likes to call ‘First State Music’. The label will cater for a few differing styles of trance and house and its first releases will be coming at the beginning of September. Check those out all below.

DJ MAG TOP 100 … The Silly Season is upon us yet again..

Once a year we’re graced (or plagued) by the most important voting poll in the Electronic Dance Music world, the DJMAG TOP 100. Nobody is safe! It affects everyone , whether you’re an electronic music fan or not… you can’t hide!!! Just like you can’t hide from the fact that First State has been responsible for some of the biggest Electronic Dance hits we know today. Tracks like FIRST STATE ft ANITA KELSEY “FALLING”, FIRST STATE ft SARAH HOWELLS “BRAVE”, FIRST STATE ft RELYK “CROSS THE LINE” and so many more, have all featured in the sets of the world’s leading DJ’s, time and time again.

If you’ve enjoyed FIRST STATE’s work in the past , From producing MASSIVE dancefloor anthems, to playing some of the biggest clubs and festivals in the world,From producing a radio show that’s broadcast worldwide, to delivering some of the finest remixes around, then please show your support by voting for FIRST STATE in this year’s DJ MAG TOP 100 Poll by heading over to http://top100djs.net/ and cast your vote now. The voting process is simple and only takes a moment. Remember to add your vote for “FIRST STATE”.

Wanna show your support for FIRST STATE?? Record a video of yourself telling us what's YOUR FAVORITE FIRST STATE TRACK/REMIX and Why you voted for FIRST STATE in this year's DJ MAG poll and send the video over to shane@firststatemusic.com . We'll try to thank each person who sends us video entries, each week during the Crossroads Radio show!!! So get those cameras rolling!!!

First State - Changing Lanes

July 21st, 2010 saw the release of First State’s latest album, “Changing Lanes”. On release day the album debuted into the Spanish iTunes Dance chart in 7th place. Since then, the album has gained massive support the world over. Fans and fellow dj’s alike have indulged in the new album, and chart placements bear a strong testament to that. “My Sanctuary” sat comfortably on the Beatport Trance chart at #1, and entered in the site’s top 100 downloads.

6 more tracks soon followed in entering into the Beatport Trance top 100 downloads, with the favorite tracks from the album quickly emerging in “Cross The Line” (featuring Relyk), “Reverie” (Featuring Sarah Howells) and “Breathe On Me” (Featuring Elliot Johns).

The album is currently available in 2 versions. The standard “Album” version of “Changing Lanes” is available across all your favorite digital download portals, while the “Extended” versions of the tracks are available on DJ based platforms like Beatport, Trackitdown and Audiojelly amongst your other favorite download stores.

First State debut music video

The closing week of July saw First State heading to the USA to star in his debut music video for the forthcoming single of his new album “Changing Lanes”. The video for “Cross The Line” was shot on location in Chicago and you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of it in the coming weeks.

First State remixes Tiësto

In 2008, First State delivered one of the hottest tracks of the year with his remix of Tiesto’s “Ten Seconds Before Sunrise”. Now, he’s done it again, having the honor and privilege of putting his remixing skills to work for the superstar dj yet again, this time for Tiesto featuring Tegan and Sarah’s “Feel it in my bones”. The remix will be available on Tiesto “Kaleidoscope Remixed”, released in September.



Launching soon... First State Music - The record label!

It’s been a long wait , but it’s finally here. The much anticipated record label has been set up and seeing its first releases in July. FIRST STATE MUSIC is the brain-child of Sander van Dien (FIRST STATE) and will be run by Sander and label manager, Shane Halcon. Divided into 3 sub labels , FIRST STATE MUSIC (Trance), FIRST STATE DEEP (Progressive) and FIRST STATE HOUSE (House), The new set up offers a home to artists of any caliber but with one basic requirement. QUALITY. The A & R of submitted demos Will be strict to say the least. This way Sander and Shane can ensure nothing but high quality, credible releases.

Falling under the prestigious BLACK HOLE RECORDINGS umbrella, and with an already impressive schedule that sees tracks released regularly until the closing weeks of 2010, FIRST STATE MUSIC is set to make its mark on the global dance community. And with artists like Sander van Dien, Jason van Wyk, Craving, Akira Kayosa & Michael Dow pres Alderney, Ken Loi and more, we can promise that you won’t be disappointed.

September Releases

Jason van Wyk “Dream On” (FSM-001)
First State Music
Release: 6th September

South Africa has just had the honor and privilege of being dubbed the home to the most annoying sound on the planet, The vuvuzela. To make up for it, we’re bringing you a little gem of a release out of Cape Town, South Africa. Featured on “IN SEARCH OF SUNRISE 8” Jason van Wyk is a name to watch out for. You’ll be able to hear his tracks exclusively on FIRST STATE MUSIC. Jason van Wyk “Dream On” kicks off the FIRST STATE MUSIC catalogue. A melodic masterpiece, with energetic drive that’s packed with emotion and that “feel good” vibe. Keeping to a 100% South African release, fellow Cape Town resident Protoculture is on remix duty.

Propaganda “Propaganda EP”
First State House
Release: 13th September

Propaganda is the alias chosen for the Progressive House project of San Fransisco resident, Ken Loi. The “Propaganda EP” features a double header of thumpers with “Face Off” and “Bend It” proudly making a debut for FIRST STATE HOUSE. Both tracks are big room bangers, with fat bass lines, etched below an array of techy leads, progressing into massive build-ups that climax into a floor stomping frenzy.