De Staat: I_con

""We"'re all icons as well as con artists. We"'ve all created some profile somewhere that shows only part of our reality; only that part of ourselves that works best for us."" (Torre Florim). This album of Dutch rock band De Staat features an array of contemporary icons and con artists: charlatans, bouncers, junks, talent scouts, cheapskates and devils. Colourful extras, caught in a mix of African rhythms, happy hardcore, sci-fi-like synths, trap-influences and weird sounds. It is De Staat as we know them, yet somehow different, with surprising new elements added to their authentic sound. Whereas predecessor Machinery was a proper guitar-orientated album, I_CON contains stylish synthesizers, reminiscent of science fiction-films from the 80"'s. Colourful madness. ""Our starting point was to make a more colourful album. Machinery was based on groove, whereas I_CON is richer in colour. On this album, we combine instruments in such a way that you don"'t immediately recognize which instrument you"'re hearing. We are still very much a guitar driven rockband, but weirder, more well-rounded and exciting,"" says frontman Torre Florim. ""We wrote more conventional songs this time, although they never turn out all that conventional because it is us playing them."" Torre"'s lyrics are steeped in playful cynicism and anger but with a strong sense of humour. ""We"'ve loosened up. We"'re just a band that likes to have fun and enjoys making weird music together."" Band history. De Staat debuted in 2009 with Wait for Evolution and shortly thereafter performed on all major Dutch stages and festivals such as Lowlands and Pinkpop, and internationally at Sziget and Glastonbury. The album was awarded various prizes, and in 2011 and 2012 the band received a 3FM Award for Best Alternative Act. Second album Machinery was released in 2011. Once again, De Staat toured a large number of European venues and festivals, this time with an extra element added to their live shows: a huge, specially built machine.