In the hilarious indie film The Rumperbutts, Bonnie and Jack, a married couple and indie band (played by Mates of State’s also-married duo Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner), regretfully accept a job on a children’s show of the same name. Despite money and success, their relationship turns to resentment and disaster, until one evening, a magical…
Watching a Mates of State set is like meeting an old friend for drinks and sharing a warm embrace after. At least that’s what it feels like for the New Haven, Conn. scene lucky enough to catch the husband-wife duo of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel often, thanks the various local art shows, radio-sponsored gigs,…
“Hey, I like it like this,” says Kori Gardner in the opening seconds of Mates of State’s new single, “Staring Contest,” right before the beat builds and the summery pop tune launches into the first keynotes of its three-minute-plus run. Gardner, along with husband and bandmate Jason Hammel, sings about the throes of young love…
Last week, Mates of State played a free show at McLevy Green in Bridgeport, Conn. Towards the end of their set, they covered Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” and it was EVERYTHING. We all know how much I love a good cover, right!? The Mates’ version of that silly-but-fun pop ditty accentuates what Mates of…