Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
Coolest Music Themed Funko Pop!
With so many great musicians included in the series, it can be tough to definitively decide on the coolest music themed Funko Pop! figures. Since introducing the Pop! Rocks series in 2012 the line has expanded rapidly, and there are also limited edition versions of some figures with special features like glow-in-the-dark or metallic portions. While many of the Best Funko Pop! Collectibles are based around fictional characters, there are a number of real-life figures as well. Not surprisingly, many of these collectibles are miniature versions of world-famous and legendary classic-rock musicians; however, the series has also incorporated some more modern individuals and a few characters that are quite obscure to most North American buyers. Each of the musicians is worth having for the serious collector, but there are some in the series that stand out from the rest as the coolest music themed Funko Pop! figures.
Adam QuinnPublished 7 years ago in BeatHow Deaf People Perceive Music
People have always wondered how deaf people hear when it comes to music. Many thought that is was not possible to sense anything, but more and more research has captured how deaf people perceive music. Serving as one of the greatest examples of a deaf musician is Beethoven, and as time has gone on, more research and attention has been directed towards the mystery of how deaf people perceive music.
Best 90s Music Videos
The best 90s music videos sure portray this decade for what it was. Considered by National Geographic’s in its documentary as the “Last Great Decade,” it sure had great advancements regarding technology and popular culture. In the cinema it had Tarantino, while in TV Simpsons, Seinfeld and Friends were major successes. In music, it wasn’t different.
#HowEyeSeeIt with Casey Harris of the X Ambassadors
Casey Harris, the piano player for the X Ambassadors, has been legally blind his entire life. As part of the Foundation Fighting Blindness' recent digital campaign, #HowEyeSeeIt, we traveled to Seattle to meet with Casey and the rest of the X Ambassadors to hear his story. In his own words Casey describes his ability to see as 15% vision in good light and closer to 5-10% in bad light. Technically speaking Casey has 2200 vision with a 10% field in the middle.
David KarpPublished 7 years ago in BeatStruggles of Being a 20-Something Who Loves Classic Rock
Twenty-somethings who love classic rock face a great number of struggles today. We don’t just feel on the outside of modern music, we literally don’t understand it. It lacks power, force, and the very beats that make rocks roll. In classic rock, songs are intricately structured. Lyrics are deep. The players play guitars and drums, not women and games. Often, our friends may find our music strange. It may be equated to, “That stuff my grandpa listens to” or, worst of all, labeled “Oldies.” Our families may not understand our passion for the music of the 60s and 70s and call us weird. Too often, we are misunderstood, but it’s OK. If Robert Plant and Keith Richards weren’t different, we wouldn’t have the killer licks of the Stones or Led Zeppelin. These are the top 10 struggles of a 20-something who loves classic rock.
Will VasquezPublished 7 years ago in BeatBest Songs About Masturbation
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll is a motif that’s almost as old as rock and roll music itself. It’s a perceived lifestyle that is so prevalent in the industry that it’s almost a prerequisite to making a timeless song and charting a hit record. And so we’ve entered a sexy era of bands making rhythmic odes to the human condition and all that messy horniness that comes with it. And with all that horniness comes masturbation—and with all that masturbation eventually comes awesome music about masturbation. Just because they have all that backstage action doesn’t mean they don’t indulge too! It’s a vicious cycle really. But what can we do? We’re only human. We’re only horny wankers. While you’re pondering the deepness in that revelation, check out this list of bands that did indulge and wrote songs about masturbation to pass the time between sex, drugs, and rock and roll:
Adam QuinnPublished 7 years ago in BeatWhat Is Witch House?
Witch house music is an occult-inspired "dark electro" music genre that first came around in 2010 and has been making waves ever since. At DJ events and festivals, including music videos etc there is a keen attention to detail with the visual aesthetics on offer. Witch house music is influenced by infused hip-hop sounds, mashed up and screwed beats, random industrial sounds, and irregular noises. These abnormalities are blended well among drum machines, synthesizers and delectable yet indescribable vocals that offer repetitive, hypnotic rave material or great workout music.
Will VasquezPublished 7 years ago in BeatInterview with Stephen Christian of Anberlin
Today, I talk with Stephen Christian, former front-man of Anberlin, and author of the novel, 'The Orphaned Anything's: Memoir of a Lesser Known'. We learn the origins of this progressively influential band, what inspires Stephen to write both music and prose, and where he is heading next on his artistic journey.
Ryan SpraguePublished 7 years ago in BeatMuses of Music
In Greek mythology, muses inspired science, literature and art. According to these myths, muses were the source of the knowledge expressed in poetry, songs and fables. In modern times, muses often come in the form of men and women that inspire musicians, painters or even writers. These individuals have gone on to shape the trajectory of their counterparts’ artistic careers be it in music or on canvas. In music, muses have had a considerable influence in both positive and negative respects.
Adam QuinnPublished 7 years ago in BeatMost Controversial Songs of All Time
As America's most controversial President prepares for office, it seems we've entered an age of controversy: with not only controversial songs, films and books, but controversial business and politics; where any publicity is always good publicity. As Trump manages to keep his face on newspaper and news site front pages, a concerned mother's rant on Vince Staple's "Norf Norf" goes viral introducing the LA rapper to a whole new fan base. However, this wasn't always so. Younger readers may struggle to remember a time where politicians' blunders only occasionally found their way to the public eye, but there was a time when the public relied upon the world of art for entertainment; for shocks and controversy. Much has been said about banned and controversial books such as A Clockwork Orange and American Psycho just as controversial films such as Strawdogs and Taxi Driver, but here we'll be talking about some of the most controversial songs of all time.
Exclusive Interview with Sebastian Danzig of Palaye Royale
In this exclusive interview, I speak with Sebastian Danzig, member of the Vegas-based fashion-art rock band, Palaye Royale. Danzig clues us in on how it all began, what it was like beating out Coldplay for an award, and what is next for this extremely progressive band.
Ryan SpraguePublished 7 years ago in BeatArif Erdem Ocak: Turkey’s Breakout Musician of the Year
Moonlight on tight shorts and bikini tops… A secluded beach lapped by hot Aegean waves… The dark green of woods within which stalk predators hunting furry prey... And then— a rainbow of lights cross each other like sniper beads seeking targets as a boom of unnaturally amplified guitars disrupts the ambient airwaves.
Matt CatesPublished 7 years ago in Beat