After just nine issues, State magazine has ceased publication of its print edition. State will continue to exist as an online entity only.

State was launched last March and was available initially as a paid-for title before becoming a free publication after six issues in October. But its plans to rely solely on advertising revenue were scuppered by the economic downturn.

Co-editor John Walshe admits their timing was not great. “No one could have predicted the downturn a year ago. Advertising budgets across the board have been slashed and everyone in the media industry is finding that.

“We just weren’t getting enough advertising to cover the cost of printing of the magazine or paying our journalists. Unfortunately, the free route did not work for us, but it did get the magazine into more hands.”

One reason why State never gained traction with readers may be because it didn’t carve out a distinctive enough niche for itself. There was already saturation coverage elsewhere of many of the acts featured on its covers, including REM, Interpol, Muse and Kings of Leon, and State’s interviews provided few new insights. In addition, mixed signals were sent by the decision to put Abba on the cover.

Walshe naturally disagrees with this. “We printed nine issues and we’re really proud and happy with the content and what we covered. Yes, of course, there are things we would have changed, but there always is. We just never thought it would be a case of just nine issues.”

State will continue online and Walshe promises a much busier site.

“There will be a lot more daily content and we will still put up a version of the magazine every month. However, no one is going to be working full-time on it because we will all be working elsewhere, but we will be chipping in when we can.”