Although STATE4 the band is no longer together, the idea of the project lives on in guitarist/producer Nick Mitchell's head. Started in Soccorro, New Mexico, in 1997, Nick fused electronica with instrumental guitar to create his own flavor of what he called "elektro-rock", releasing an eight song EP Retrospect. This EP grew into a full length album in mid-1999 after Mitchell relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, self titled STATE4 album. As time went on, the project morphed into more of a standard rock affair, adding a vocalist, keyboardist, and drummer. Laura Hillman eventually joined the project and lent her vocal stylings to STATE4's sophomore effort, Less Than Happy. After a move to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and many, many live performances, the group called it quits to pursue other styles of music. That's not the end of the story, though, as Mitchell continues to work on concepts for a new STATE4 album after a four year hiatus, hoping to return to the spirit of the early recordings.