The City States
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The City States

Band Rock EDM

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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Discography

Signals Promo EP 2006
Personal War Promo EP 2005

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

The City States are Paul Edwards (guitars, vocals), Aaron Farr (drums), and Leah Stephenson (synths).

Born in Dundee, Scotland, raised in Windsor, Ontario and based in Toronto, Paul is driven to walk the line between rock and electronic music.

After years spent playing guitars and recording on four-tracks, Paul's discovery of synthesizers and other electronic devices led him to produce electronic music. As an electronica performer, he shared the stage with Orbital, played Toronto's Edgefest, and counted techno pioneer, Carl Craig, as a fan.

Eventually Paul was drawn back to the urgency of guitars, vocals, a rock band - but now, with an electronic edge.

"As a kid, my parent's were playing Beatles 8-tracks; I was wearing out my Sex Pistols cassette; my Scottish cousin would send me obscure new-wave mix-tapes," said Paul. "And the Detroit techno that influenced my live PA sounds; The City States is all of that."

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Aaron drummed his way through the East Coast music world, playing shows like the East Coast Music Awards, touring extensively, and recording. Despite successes, Aaron sensed a shift.

"I wanted to explore change," he said, "a new scene."

So he decided to move to Toronto. Before arriving in the city, Aaron found Paul online, and when they met in the spring of 2005, The City States began.

Leah was born and raised in Toronto. While playing synths in the band, she is also a performance artist, using her electronic music to accompany live visuals.

"I want people to think, feel, and dance at the same time," she said. "So when I heard The City States were looking for a synth player, I knew I wanted to join the band."

"Making music together has been really natural," added Paul. "We love to write songs, record, and perform."