Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
If I Can Dream
Elvis Presley a name that is known all over the world. Over 20 million people over the last 35 years that have visited Graceland Elvis' home and the other millions who have not, the name brings to them a thought of someone who was more than just a singer/entertainer. To us fans, the name Elvis Presley is a man who went for a dream and eventually achieved it. From his humble beginning, to his untimely death, Elvis gave the world the gift of not only his voice, but his story.
By E.F. Landeros8 years ago in Beat
Things to Know When Attending Your First Music Festival
Attending your first music festival is a lot like losing your virginity — or, at least it was for me. I loved it, but it was awkward. At points, I didn't know what I was doing and just tried to look sexy. Yes, it was a lot like doing it for the first time, in that respect.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Beat
5 Amazing 'Undiscovered' UK Hip Hop Artists
It's always a good feeling when you discover a new artist that you can listen to on repeat for an extended number of days. What makes it feel that little more special is when you can follow their progress and watch them grow to become global superstars, thinking that you were there from the beginning!
By Jamie Brocklehurst8 years ago in Beat
Review: Game Over - Dave
Game Over, which includes Dave's singles "Question Time" and "No Words," was released at Midnight, and has already had its praises sung by the fans. The songs on Game Over provide a blend of classic Dave, as seen on "Attitude," with a mix of a previously seen before Dave — one who is close to his thoughts and speaks them all on a track — which is seen on both "How I Met My Ex" and "My 19th Birthday."
By SKetch Media8 years ago in Beat
Best Alternative Music Festivals
Though alternative music is not an extremely popular genre among festivals, you will be pleased to hear how many there are around the world. Been looking for a reason to travel? Here is the perfect excuse, alternative fans. With festival locations ranging from Rhodopes Mountains, Bulgaria to Luhmühlen, Germany, you have some interesting choices to make this festival season.
By April Demarco8 years ago in Beat
The Paradox of Finding Your True Purpose
For most of my life I have always wondered, "What am I doing here?" What is the meaning of this existence? This is a succinct summation for the human condition. The necessity of a reason has been a splinter in my psyche leading to a number of ups and downs. Some of us are lucky enough to be exposed to the numerous ideologies in the world such as Nihilism or the various religions to fall back on and explain our existence, but there are always those who are perpetually tortured in not knowing how to live. As far back as I could remember, I felt immense heartache at times and as my childhood progressed, I experienced a few traumatizing events such as a mother suffering from an addiction. Struggling with a kind of depression or even a depressive mindset sets you in a sludge. Through the years, the cycles would become normalized, leading to immense apathy and disdain for existence itself. In my mind, however, there's also a struggle to find a sense of meaning and belonging that says to compromise and to try and find the things that could possibly bring joy not only to myself but others, as well. I wanted to pull myself out of these cycles of immense misanthropy and be useful as well as happy.
By Giovanni Medrano8 years ago in Beat
70 Years On
I was born the year Reginald Kenneth Dwight’s first album Empty Sky was released in the U.K. I was singing to “Crocodile Rock” as a youngster as I watched him on the Muppet Show, covered in feathers and backed by singing reptiles amongst an assortment of Jim Henson’s creatures — all wearing oversized sunglasses. I realized I was bisexual as I watched the music video for “I’m Still Standing” at age 13. My junior year of high school I went from being a quiet backward nerd to an overnight socialite as I belted out “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” in the school musical — decked out in full sequined garb, platform shoes and sunglasses, which I decorated with hair from one of my grandmother’s wigs and rhinestones from her sewing kit. I got married to “The One” and sung “Skyline Pigeon” to my infant son as I rocked him to sleep. Marriage 2.0 was set to “Your Song”; and I have seen this amazing artist in concert 27 times thus far. His music has literally been the soundtrack to my life and still excites me as much today as it did when I first spun my father’s copy of Madman Across the Water on his record player when I was 4. He turned 70 years old this year as he and his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, are celebrating 50 years as writing partners. His Aids Foundation is commemorating their 25th anniversary this year. He has a catalog of 40+ albums, 100+ singles, and still puts on a 3+ hour energized show — a feat artists half his age cannot keep up with. He holds the record for the highest selling single of all time. He earned multiple Grammy, Academy, and Tony awards. He has been Knighted by Her Queen Majesty. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is a Kennedy Center Honor recipient Indeed, there is not much the man has not accomplished. He is a musical genius. He is a legend. He is none other than Sir Elton Hercules John.
By Carlos Gonzalez8 years ago in Beat
It's "Hard" Not to Love The Neighbourhood's New EP
After a short hiatus following their tour promoting their second album, Wiped Out!, the Southern California alternative band marked their reactivation with a new EP in the latter half of September.Exhibiting dark, cloudy vibes since their debut EP in 2012, The Neighbourhood's new EP, Hard, dares to dig deeper into the band's cool, angsty, hip-hop/R&B flavored alternative music. While the California 5-piece has always held fast to their sense of experimentalism, this new project shows signs of THE NBHD expanding even more on their atmospheric sound. From the beginning to the end of the EP, the band demonstrates how they have honed their skills in exhibiting their shady moods through their music.
By Sean Martin8 years ago in Beat
My Horse Is My Car
It’s tempting, with a subtitle like that, to build a strained analogy between Spanish roads and the music of Joanna Newsom. But there would be no justice in the attempt. Spanish motorways are invariably straight, in places poorly maintained, with lumps and unkempt stretches that make the car rock disturbingly. None of these words and phrases could be used to describe her music. Progress might be made using the word through, simply because, as a necessity, Spanish roads traverse a landscape that inspires awe; mountains, rolling plains, flat plains, river gorges and expansive reservoirs. But even that is pushing it. Here’s a better analogy.
By Simon Ward8 years ago in Beat
