Latest Stories
Most recently published stories 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
The Last Return of the King
The year was 1973. Elvis’ censored movements on the Ed Sullivan show were now a thing of the past. He was no longer stuck under contract to continue making what he considered to be “dumb ass flicks.” The small room-like stage of the 1968 Comeback Special was now dismantled and gone. Documentaries following Elvis on tour and in Las Vegas were now just the icing on a tremendous cake.
By E.F. Landeros8 years ago in Beat
Interview with Freddy Spera of Crejuvent, the One-Man Extreme Metal Band
Federico ‘Freddy’ Spera, of the one-man band Crejuvent, applies his idiosyncratic style to everything he touches; his distinctive, humorous and carefree disposition is obvious from the outset, both inside and outside of the music he makes. To say the least, Spera is not exactly what somebody might expect from a founder of an extreme death metal band. He started playing the bass when he was a teenager, and his early interest and persistence with the instrument made him a certified expert.
By Beat Staff8 years ago in Beat
Music Breakdown One
Born in 1995, the type of music I know is from the 2000s. Most of the bands that I mention during this music series are bands that I have on my iPod. Primarily, it'll be a breakdown of song lyrics and possible meanings of the song and, as I turn another age, this is more for me than it is for anyone else. Without further ado, as I sit here typing at one thirty seven am on November first with the hopes that someone will read the ramblings of a crazy woman, the first band I would like to introduce is The Academy Is.
By Faith Young8 years ago in Beat
The Genius That Is Bruno Mars
I'm going to start off by saying I am a Bruno Mars SUPERFAN. I received free tickets to his 24K Magic Tour from Spotify (shout out to Spotify) because I literally listen to him everyday. It's just a part of my routine now to put on 24K Magic and jam.
By Anelise Tatum8 years ago in Beat
Best Musician Memoirs Every Fan Must Read
Fans of music always want to know more about the rock and roll lifestyle, or what the music scene was truly like at that time. There is no better conduit than some of best memoirs from some of the most respected artists in history.
By Joseph Farley8 years ago in Beat
What to Know About Burning Man
Before packing your bags full of candy beads and silly neon get-ups for one of those all-too familiar best music festivals, which tend to be packed with overzealous and immature raver types, know what you're getting yourself into. There's the same Lollapalooza concert every year, plus Tomorrowland that all your friends rave about (no pun intended), or the local warehouse party that's sure to leave a dark splotch in your memory, but before making a single decision, you may want to check this out first...
By Salvador Lorenz8 years ago in Beat
What Is PLUR?
As an OG in the rave scene, I can tell you that EDM culture and rave culture has definitely evolved a lot over the years. I initially joined the rave scene in the mid-2000s, and many of my closer friends in that scene were the people who held underground raves in the 90s.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Beat
