Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
5 Songs for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Music is emotion, just as emotion is music. Music is a tool which can be used to make you feel better or worse. I guess this mostly depends on your preferences. I use music to make myself feel stronger, but also to release some of the pent up emotions I'm afraid to unleash. If I can feel through the music, maybe eventually it won't hurt anymore. On the other hand remembering makes me angry and anger gives me strength. I'm a survivor. I survived.
By The 'A' Girl9 years ago in Beat
The Total Package Summer
Anyone who knows me at all knows that Paula Abdul is a huge part of my life. I've been a fan since 2004 and have pretty much followed her to so many events, parties, and television shows that she's become an important part of my life in many facets including friend and mentor.
By Megan Roche9 years ago in Beat
Full Moon
It's another hot day on the coast of Fukushima and it's late summer. I'm in a car and driving deep into a jungle that I thought I could not drive into. Mark has told me about a music festival that happens in the summer in the mountains of Fukushima. I don't know what to expect. An already skinny paved road gradually grows more thin threatening to disappear under the foliage and we turn left onto an old dusty dirt road that creeps its way further into the jungle. Mark and I have been meeting and rehearsing on and off for a couple months now and he has invited me and so I am there with him. He has been introducing me to the music scene in Japan and for that I feel very grateful. The dirt road winds up the mountainside and then curves around sharp turns for the next 45 minutes and then I hear music. I don't expect to hear music but I hear music. It seems to be coming from the leaves of the trees. In fact it could be doing so, but I know it's not. At that moment, I am reminded by my mothers story of how she had told me about a friend who had been hiking in the Swiss Alps. They had been in the middle of nowhere and had rounded a bend to see a green field with a helicopter landed and with the band "Yes" practicing in the middle of the field. I felt I was in a similar experience. Soon the trees opened up to a thousand people camped in the middle of a field with numerous stages set up in the background. There were artists selling their wares and different DJs lighting up dancing in different spots. Our car found a place among the bodies and undergrowth and we filed out of the van. Mark would be playing his own DJ set later that evening and I heard that I would be able to play some music as well.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Beat
The Importance of Song Lyrics
Lyrics are not poetry and lyricists are not poets. I say this not to denigrate lyrics as an art form. Quite the opposite. By insisting that the two are the same thing, we miss the vital point that high quality lyrics are valuable on their own merit. Worse, we give credence to the sub Sixth Form witterings of Jim Morrison, a man who was neither a competent poet nor lyricist.
By Sam Flintlock9 years ago in Beat
Twenty One Pilots on Christianity
Throughout today’s culture in America, there are numerous forms of media that portray different worldviews throughout their lyrics, videos, or other content that happens to be in one of the best positions in regards to influencing its audience. For example, the band Twenty One Pilots has many songs that are obvious in who they are trying to reach throughout their lyrics, and although they are not considered a “Christian band,” the majority of lyrics of their songs send positive messages primarily to those who are struggling with their personal mental health and personal problems they are fighting through. While it is clear that Twenty One Pilots’ main audience is of those who more than likely have worldviews related to nihilism as well as to those who are struggling in their walks with Christ, it is also very clear that their music is of a Christian worldview as they talk about their struggles in keeping their faith in the Lord as they themselves struggle with their mental health.
By Gianna Hermann9 years ago in Beat
Worst Rock Albums of All Time. Top Story - July 2017.
Music is an art genre that is very "hit or miss," and nothing proves this better than the music career of legendary artists in the rock industry. Most of the time, when we think of major bands, we think of the great songs they've performed.
By Rowan Marley9 years ago in Beat
Top Two Hit Wonders
Most people can name a one hit wonder band. There are tons of them, all of them once considered to be "the next big thing to hit music" only to be unable to top the stuff that launched them to stardom. They are both cautionary tales of hubris and makers of much-loved songs.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Beat
Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding used to be one of my two “current” artists. (For those who don’t know, I generally only get really into two bands or artists at once. It used to be Ellie Goulding and Rise Against in my mid teenage years.) That’s because Ellie used to be a good artist. Actually, she might still be a good artist, but she seems to want to hide her talent.
By Daniel Triumph9 years ago in Beat
