Hi, I'm Russell Ledford and I play in the band Morning State.

The band is comprised of myself on vocals/guitar, David Williams on guitar, Aaron Stephenson on bass/vocals, and Zachary Sharenko on drums.

We started around the beginning of 2004 when I took a batch of songs (written and recorded in my Athens apartment) and decided to start a band.

While- as a band- our influences are vast and varied it is those artists on our level or a bit above that provide the most influence. Some great bands from the Southeast that I like include Snowden, Sovus Radio, Modern Skirts, Psychic Hearts, the Explorers Club, Colour Revolt, and many more. Some of the bigger bands I like are the Beatles, Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett solo stuff, Radiohead, and probably any of the others you'd expect to find along side these.

We try and focus on writing good songs and translating them well into a live show. Thus far, Morning State has released one official recording, an E.P. titled Retreat!!!. It was recorded in May/June of 2006 and released in August 2006.

**NEWS**

We have finished recording our first full-length album titled, "You Know People I Know People". We recorded with our friend Asa Leffer @ DARC in Athens, GA. The release date for the album has been set for May 6th, 2008. The first single off the disc is "Oh Yeah" and is available for download now. We will make some more tracks available before the release date so be checkin back in. Blast off!

“unpretentious, straight forward, hook laden rock… The band's uncontrived, shtick-less sonic was warmly welcomed.” – Spin Magazine

“Despite hints of early '90s pop-punk, Morning State's sound is fresher and less urgent than its influences.” – Paste Magazine

“one of Atlanta’s most promising young bands” – Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Band to watch! … reminiscent of early (early) Radiohead and the Shins—you know, all that good ‘90s-sounding stuff.” – RCRD LBL