EPK
Bio
Blackstate is the dark & moody alt-pop alter ego of Filip Tasevski – Fitz, an experienced musician, songwriter, and performer with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, deeply rooted in the hardcore/punk scene. In addition to his musical talents, Fitz is also a visual designer and artist, and it is this combination of skills that gives Blackstate its unique and compelling sound & significant live audio-visual performance.
Drawing on influences ranging from experimental electronica to synth pop and hardcore punk, Blackstate creates a sound that is both haunting and exhilarating, combining “cathartic instrumental experimentalism with grounding lyrics” that explore themes of love, loss, and the wrong values that plague modern society.
Through his music, Blackstate delves into the emotional complexities of life in the 21st century, reflecting on the emptiness and disillusionment that many people experience in a world that often prioritizes superficiality over substance.
The result is a deeply personal and thought-provoking audio-visual experience that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and emotions, leaving them to interpret the meaning behind the art in their own unique way. This approach encourages a deeper level of engagement with Blackstate’s music and visuals, allowing listeners to form their own connections and find their own truth in the project’s hauntingly beautiful visuals and soundscapes.
Although the project was officially debuted in 2019, the open concept behind Blackstate has been percolating for over 15 years, and the first EP was published in 2020. The project’s production – both audio and video – are a solo effort synced in a truly immersive experience for the audiences.
Since its debut, Blackstate has received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the project’s “refreshingly distinctive songwriting approach, perfect pinch of melancholy, and fragile optimism”. Some have even compared Blackstate’s sound to “what it would sound like if Elliott Smith experimented with synths”, a comparison that speaks to the project’s originality and inventiveness.
With its “evolving sonic exploration” and captivating live shows, Blackstate is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new acts on the alt-pop scene. The project has been featured in influential publications, including The Calvert Journal, A&R Factory and Beehy.pe, and has been included in lists of the best global albums of 2020. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Fitz’s work or are just discovering Blackstate for the first time, this is an artist that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Debut EP reviews
“…eclectically-inspired endearingly unforgettable debut EP”
“…cathartic instrumental experimentalism and grounding lyrics”
“…refreshingly distinctive songwriting approach”
“…perfect pinch of melancholy while exuding fragile optimism”
“…what it would sound like if Elliott Smith experimented with synths”
“…I can’t recommend Blackstate enough”
🇬🇧 A&R Factory, Voted 10 Music Blog in the UK
“Blackstate: an evolving project thriving in sonic exploration”
🇩🇪 Gigmit
“Dance in 2 Yugoslav-era modernist buildings with North Macedonia’s Blackstate pop anthem”
Best Global Albums of 2020
🇵🇱 Beehy.pe – Best Music From Around the World, Poland
Live Video
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