Kori Gardner (keyboard/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) were both playing guitar and singing in the Kansas music metropolis of Lawrence before forming the Mates of State in 1997. With their dual vocal harmonies and minimal pop appeal, Omnibus Records released Mates of State's first EP as a split with Fighter D in 1999. Upon a relocation to San Francisco, the duo's second EP, It's the Law/Invitation Inn, and a debut studio effort, My Solo Project, followed in 2000. Their next full length album entitled "Crushes (The Covers Mixtape) is set to be released to be released on their own label June 15, 2010. "Crushes" is an album consisting of covers of songs by some of the Mates’ personal favorites by artists ranging from Nick Cave to Death Cab For Cutie to Fleetwood Mac to Girls, whose “Laura” is now available in its Mates reinterpretation as a free download at matesofstate.com. FAQ: What is it like being married and playing music together?
Probably, exactly how you imagine it would be.
What kind of organ and drum set do you use? What year were they made?
Yamaha electone YC 45, ~1970
Gretch Round Badge, 1960
Why did you move to San Francisco?
It's better there.
How do you write songs? Who writes the songs?
We attach parts together until they make a whole song. We both write the songs. We are equals.
Has anyone ever compared you to the White Stripes or Quasi or ______?
Nope, not that we can remember and if they do, they probably haven't really listened to us.
Why the name, Mates of State?
It rhymes and it describes two like-minded people.
Why do you tour so much?
Otherwise we'd get bored. We love playing live. That's where it's at.
