Pacific State

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About Pacific State

Named in reference to an influential 1989 track by the Manchester house act 808 State and formed in London two and a half decades later, Pacific State comprises vocalist Berri Farley and producer Simon Marlin. Upon their formation, whereas Farley was a relative newcomer to the workings of the music industry, Marlin had a wealth of experience from his ongoing project, U.K. house act the Shapeshifters, best known for their 2004 U.K. number one single, "Lola's Theme." Although ostensibly a duo, Pacific State had their material co-produced by Marlin's fellow Shapeshifter Max Reich. Prior to meeting Marlin, the South East London-born Farley honed her songwriting and vocal skills while living in Spain, where she performed at venues both in the Balearics and on the mainland. As part of these sets, she often sang material from the back catalogs of her idols Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald as well as her own compositions. Upon returning to London, she contacted Marlin after composing vocal melody ideas for a demo that he had sent out. This led to recording sessions in a London studio, where they emerged with a clutch of songs that built on the pair's combined love of early R&B, dance-pop, and U.S. West Coast-inspired folk. London Records signed Pacific State in 2014 and that August their debut single, "Coming Home," was released. Building on sections of "Wichita Lineman" -- Jimmy Webb's classic 1968 composition for Glen Campbell -- the track also has a distinct modern pop sensibility that nods to the work of Emeli Sandé. ~ James Wilkinson

ORIGIN
London, England
FORMED
2014
GENRE
Dance

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