Introducing: Flõstate

Flõstate is a laidback, classy RNB duo from Canada. We caught up with producer MKSTN and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Avery Florence in the leadup to the May 19^th release of their Moments Of Feeling LP. Read on as they talk tech, music, and about recent single One More Day In Love.

Well, we had an instant connection on our first meeting. We kept talking about collaborating or even just meeting up as friends, but it took a few years until we finally had our first session in Mike’s bedroom studio at the time. We drank coffee late into the night, talking about our internal worlds, and how we see the world outside. Making music came so naturally from that place, with our only real intention to express those feelings. We felt something special from that very first session. The name Flõstate can be described many ways; one way is the state of being in balance between searching and finding.

What inspires you to write? 

Our emotions. There is so much to be emotional about in our world today and always, though today there are so many things blocking us from our ability to express ourselves. This music comes from a place of needing to uncover our own truths and we are hoping to share that ability with others.

The power of music and writing is that it touches your heart, articulates what you often can’t in spoken language, and reminds you of what you already know.

Who would you say has had the most influence on your sound? You’ve been described as ‘fantasy RNB’ which sounds intriguing. 

Yeah, we are into that genre we made up ha ha. The low-key RNB sound is in the constant flow, the percussion and the soul of the music. The songs are so ethereal though, they lift us to another realm, like a fantasy, in order to step away and make something tangible of reality.

We both grew up, and currently listen to pretty different music. I think that’s what makes our sound interesting. We both come to the creation process from different backgrounds and interests, yet our emotional connection is strong and enables us to bring our worlds together to create this new world, Flõstate. Also being wired on coffee plays a big influence.

What has been the biggest highlight of your musical career so far? 

I think the biggest highlight comes when we are in the process of creating a song. It really brings an intense presence and excitement. But if you want a less Floooowy answer (if you will haha), then it would be working with the other artists to create our visualizers for the album. It was really cool to have a group of 11 talented, rad people creating new life and ideas for our project. Performing for CBC was pretty cool too.

As a duo, how does the creative process work between you? 

We always start with connecting. It’s that emotional connection that allows a collaborative space in which neither of us feel self-conscious or that we’d have to compromise on our creation. We both come with different musical knowledge so it’s fun to have an opportunity to explore what we wouldn’t be able to on our own. We’ll jam until something feels right and we’ll loop it for hours. Adding whatever we feel the song needs.

For example, Avery loves to play with drum pads (NI Maschine or Ableton Push), while Mike plays his synth. After an idea is formed, Avery will usually riff on the mic until something sticks.

What song would you love to cover?

AF: I know Mike is going to pick something by Tame Impala or Beach House, ha ha! I know we would both love to do Imagine by John Lennon.

MK: LOL! Beach House, yes. But their songs are too good to cover! I think Imagine by John Lennon is the perfect song. Maybe some old dance records my mom used to listen to could be interesting.

Do you have any guilty pleasure in terms of listening to music?

AF: I’ve newly come to the belief that really nothing is a guilty pleasure, you know? If it’s good and hits the spot, then it has its place! But I do listen to a lot of 90’s girl pop, I gotta say. Britney fan for life!! <3

MKSTN: I think there’s a time and place for everything. Even S Club 7 baby!

What other Canadian electronic or RNB acts should we be checking out right now? 

AF:  Sex Lasers! They are amazing energy live. And also, Yoo Doo Right!! They’re more electronic rock I guess… but amazing.

MKSTN: +1 on Yoo Doo Right. Have you heard of MKSTN? Heard he’s Canadian electronic.

Could you tell us about your new single, One More Day In Love? 

One More Day in Love comes from the memories and regrets that become vivid in the night. It can be painful when we finally gain clarity on something from within our memory. It lies plainly in front of us, what it could have meant for our present if we had known. It’s so visceral it opens a door flooding in with fantasies; regrets that paralyze you, eyes wide open in the dark.

What’s up next for Flõstate in terms of gigs, videos, new music…? 

We are really excited to be releasing our album Moments of Feeling, May 19th! It’s been 4 years in the making, riding through all of life’s ups and downs, surprises and challenges thrown into the mix. It feels good to be able to share a full project with the world outside of ourselves because we have been transformed by our music, and we want to share that transformation. We also have a bunch of visualizers and gigs that will be announced soon!

Head over to the duo’s socials – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – to get pre-order and pre-save details for the Moments of Feeling album, which will be released via Lekker Collective. You can stream One More Day In Love and more music from Flõstate on Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music.