Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
Can a Song Emotionally Help Us?
Now music. Music is how the soul moves. It’s how some people communicate, and it’s even sometimes the only thing two people have in common. Cigarettes After Sex is an American ambient pop band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2008 by Greg Gonzalez. The band's debut was released in 2012 with the singles "Affection" and "K." following in 2015 and 2016. I was gripped, hooked onto both albums, and I must have been living under a rock since 2008—and if I’m honest I think I was. Back in 2009, a friend told me about this group that he really loved-cigarettes after sex. This was the very year my depression, among other things, decided to kick me while I was down, but depression may have taken over my mind, but it didn’t take over my soul, and when I heard Cigarettes After Sex for the first time, my inner goddess rose from her sweet slumber and I began to feel like me again. My mind cleared after a few times listening to the songs in both albums, and I felt free when I heard them. Now I’m not saying music is the answer for everything or for everyone, but it was for me. This post isn’t about what I went through but more of how I got through the things I thought would break me. With my past questionable and my future uncertain, I really thought that right now, in the present I was going to be able to cope. When you find something your passionate about whether it be a hobby, music or even a person, it really does help numb whatever type of pain your in. Now some reading this might sit there and think “but I don’t want to numb my pain, I want to get rid of it,” but here’s the thing about pain: it demands to be felt. When passion takes over your body and kicks your insecurities out the window, you find that you flourish into who the hell you want to be doing, what the hell you what to do, and that, my readers, is a beautiful thing. My idea of music is not what is latest in the chart right now, not the music everyone is listening to, and not the music you say you like to the boy you fancy just because he likes it...music becomes soul freeing and mind numbingly good when you find the type of music your into and I did! Trust me Cigarettes After Sex will not be for everybody, but it is for me and coming back to the point of this post, it helped me. This time last year I didn’t think I would be able to go in with life, with how MY life was heading, but I took depression by the balls and told it who was boss; Cigarettes After Sex helped me with that. But what I will admit is, I don’t always listen to Cigarettes After Sex. Shock, horror, I know, considering I can’t stop blabbing about them, but it’s true. I listen to Nirvana and Pink Floyd a lot of the time, and I love 60s soul. But I only ever listen to Cigarettes After Sex when I can feel a spiral of depression creep up on me. They may have helped me conquer it, but my mental illnesses still fight back, so sometimes, I have a little cry (well more of a long howl of sadness, LOL) binge-watch a series that has five seasons and 20 episodes per season, until I feel like I can get up out of bed and face the day. I may be able to control my illnesses, but I can’t out run them—and if I’m honest with you, I’m OK with that. My life and all the downs that have happened in it have really shaped me into the person I am today, and I don’t think I turned out too bad. And I have not just Cigarettes After Sex to thank for that but all the great artists I listen to. I thank the people who told me about those grey artists, and I thank mother who (thank god) has the same music taste as me.
By Scotch Vaughan8 years ago in Beat
The 'List: The Carpenters
Hello one and all. The early 1970s saw the advent of a musical genre commonly known as "soft-rock," which also had the distinctly pleasant nickname of "yacht rock," then made more complicated with the name "adult contemporary." As heavy metal and hard rock were burgeoning even before disco made many put on their boogie shoes and step to the dance floor, one such act was a Southern California brother-and-sister team who put the genre on the map, legitimized it, and made it a force to be reckoned with.
By Carlos Gonzalez8 years ago in Beat
Best Budget Recording Microphones
There isn't a singer alive who hasn't daydreamed about the moment they'd be able to enjoy the luxury of a home recording studio that costs more than the home they live in. Recording equipment is expensive—and even having your own home recording area is a pretty big thing in and of itself.
By Adam Quinn8 years ago in Beat
George Ezra Has A Second Album In The Making, But Has Delayed It
Creator of the number one album Wanted On Voyage, George Ezra, has revealed he is working on a new album set for release in a year or so. However, Ezra has announced that his upcoming album is taking longer than he originally anticipated.
By Lewis Jefferies8 years ago in Beat
Memories With That One Special Person Magically Revived
Just like television shows and films, music makes a huge impact on my life. Being 19 years old, many people will assume I'll go for a song more modern and up to date. But think again. In the spirit of #GrammysWeek I'm going to dig up an old classic to run through and why it has a special connection living inside me - 'Angels' by Robbie Williams.
By Lewis Jefferies8 years ago in Beat
Opioid Crisis and Trap Music
Is a popular sub-set of hip hop music called "trap" guilty of contributing to the United States opioid epidemic? That's the question many politicians, music activists, youth groups, and students are asking. For the last 10 years, the U.S. law enforcement and drug treatment facilities have been battling with a powerful rise of opioid use, abuse, and addiction. "Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Medically they are primarily used for pain relief, including anesthesia." - Wikipedia
By Stone Jone8 years ago in Beat
Best Electric Guitar Cases to Take on the Road
When you're shopping for the best electric guitar case, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. Whether it's stratocasters and telecasters, handles, durability, cushioning, neck support, or exterior material, all of these details come into play when choosing the best option for you.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Beat
Orlando Charity Single To Be Released By Broadway Stars
Broadway stars from the past and the present will come together to a record their own version of 'What The World Needs Now Is Love' single. The charity single is being recorded to support the victims of the tragic Orlando nightclub shooting.
By Lewis Jefferies8 years ago in Beat
