Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
A Guide to the Outback Musician's Survival Guide
I have always said that a successful piece of writing is one which achieves its aim and justifies the subject matter. Phil Circle’s book The Outback Musician’s Survival Guide is a successful book. The blurb on the back declares that Phil is here to tell us “what it’s really like for 99% of America’s music industry people.” In doing so, he takes us on an adventure through a lot of his own experiences: humorous or painful or a mixture of the two. On the way, he reveals quite a lot of very useful advice for artists of all kinds as well as music-specific insights, guidance and practical instructions. This book will rid you of any illusions you have been fed by the media, that to be in the music industry is to be a stylish millionaire who is constantly followed by cameras and wins glamorous awards every second day. For this reason, it should be standard reading for those, all those who would like to start a career in music or for those who have already tried to make it but are feeling jaded and uninspired. Phil’s delight in music and his deep commitment to the art of making it pour out from every page. It is impossible not to be swept away on his current of passion.
By Sarah Jane8 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: Air Supply
G'day mates! As much as my buddy Oates and I enjoy writing about the long crop of 1980s new wave rock artists and the darlings of MTV, we like to explore ALL aspects of music from the 1980s, which will indeed include artists that were still held-over from the late 1970s as the dynamic began to shift slowly, but strongly away from disco and punk, and briefly had a renaissance of the kind of music that was the mainstay of pop in the early-70's.
By Carlos Gonzalez8 years ago in Beat
NJ All Day Baby! Interview with the Armpit of America's Very Own Blunt Prophet
From the grimy depths of industrial New Jersey, comes the voice of a generation. Or at least those noble enough to call Jersey their home. Blunt Prophet is the rapper alter ego of an NJ native who started the moniker shortly after concluding his college tenure. With multiple releases under his belt, Blunt Prophet has worked his way to constructing and releasing his first full-length album, Blunt Prophet vs. New Jersey. I sat down with the Prophet to talk about how he got his career started and discuss his new album.
By Dante Cooper8 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: Corey Hart
Hello...I believe that's how it's said in Canada too! The spotlight is on a favorite from my buddy, Calvin "Oates" Cherry, who discovered his true identity with this next artist — Montreal, Quebec native Corey Mitchell Hart. Just Corey Hart will do, though.
By Carlos Gonzalez8 years ago in Beat
Imagine
The song entitled "Imagine" explores the concept of going beyond previous limitations and past experiences. The presence of beliefs that are limited in nature or narrow perspectives are drawn closer to the light. Such a concept is applicable to all areas of life, including relationships, romance, career, education, personal development, finance, and more.
By Geraldine Taylor8 years ago in Beat
Mountain Valley
It's early sometimes when I rise and after meditation I love being able to pick up my guitar. It's led me on such a wonderful fantastical adventure so far and it's something that only improves with age. One time I was sitting in the Great Divide Music store in Aspen. I used to work there for a brief moment and Jimmy Ibbotson came walking in from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He played a song and I think I played a song for him and he replied that, "songs are like wine as they only get better with age." I think that is the beautiful part of music. It is something that does improve with each day. I personally love the John Denver song "This Old Guitar" as the song does really explain what a guitar is like for the songwriter: It is a friend. I've been in some crazy places with my guitar or the guitars I've owned. One time I sat out on a boardwalk in Australia. I hauled it around to late night gigs in Tokyo as well. The feeling is always new when I pick up the instrument. It might be at a campsite in the early morning when the sun just is rising or maybe it's high in the mountains in some far away hut where I have on numerous occasions hauled the instrument up on my back. Somehow multiple plane rides and dusty single tracks on foot has not rendered the guitar broken in someway. Instead the trips have added flavor to the new music that can be created.
By Sound And The Messenger8 years ago in Beat
8EEZ Playlist: Foreigner
Hello, I've been waiting for a reader like you. Nyuk, nyuk! My buddy Oates and I have received many a positive response for this blog series and we appreciate the feedback and certainly hope to be entertaining you with more artists' playlists — lord knows, there's absolutely no shortage!
By Carlos Gonzalez8 years ago in Beat
Pvris — All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell: Album Review
Lead singer Lynn Gunn marches through a destructive atmosphere, she fights against the droves of demons which rack her brain, and she tries to overcome the strips of darkness which pummels the light. She’s damaged, there’s no doubt, but she’s an angel, shifting between rooms filled with love and hate. And on new record All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell, Pvris quiver the spines, their output is of struggle, but redemption comes. Gunn sings with pride, she pushes her bellows like red alerts, and she has written lyrics of her broken past, a past blotted in fear.
By Mark McConville8 years ago in Beat
Album Review: Bobaflex 'Eloquent Demons'
Bobaflex has just issued their latest album, Eloquent Demons, the follow up to 2015's Anything That Moves and their first for new label Thermal Entertainment. It's the group's eighth album overall since their Mason, West Virginia origins which date back to 1998; a long and often painful band history that includes various lineup and label changes and even label bankruptcies among other various temporary setbacks.
By John Parks8 years ago in Beat
