bands
Rock n' roll, boy bands, jazz trios, and more; the greats, newbies, and forgotten icons who create our favorite groups.
How BTS Changed the Narrative for a 30-Year-Old Asian Man
Every musical note has the power to stir the soul, every lyric has the potential to resonate with the human spirit, and every performance can inspire change. As a 30-year-old Asian man, I found my solace, strength, and spirit in the world of music, specifically in the tunes of BTS, the renowned South Korean boy band.
By Nathan Chen3 years ago in Beat
Baker's Dozen Beats: Shadowsithe Ghoststrike
World of Warcraft has been a big part of my life since 2009. So too, has my main; my first-ever character, the female Forsaken, Shadowsithe Ghoststrike. She is Guild Master of <Spectre and Shadow> on Blackwater Raiders, and a major farmer, buyer, and seller. She also sometimes hosts giveaways, or just plain gifts people random mounts and pets, or she seeks out rares for others to get other mounts and hunter tames! Breaks up the endless task of farming, you know?
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)3 years ago in Beat
Sam's Certified Bops n' Jams
Music has always been a huge part of my life, thanks to my dad, I grew up listening to everything under the sun and gaining a real appreciation for it. My obsession with finding music I related to started when I was a teenager, my dad picked me up from school one day and said, “I found your theme song”, he skipped to the last track on an album called “The Lion’s Roar” by Swedish sister folk duo First Aid Kit. Folk music has always spoken to me on a different level than any other genre. I call it my heart music because no matter where my musical journey takes me, I always come back to folk. The song was called “King of The World” and the upbeat tempo and earthy vocals had me hooked immediately. The lyrics were reminiscent of my youthful headstrong attitude with the chorus line “I’m nobody’s baby, I’m everybody’s girl, I’m the queen of nothing, I’m the king of the world” being the one that sticks with me still everyday. I played it on repeat for several weeks after that first listen, the song is not only special because it was something my dad had shared with me, but also because it feels like its speaking to me on a personal level even so many years later. After the discovery of my “theme song” I continued to seek out music that reminded me of myself, this has resulted in a long list over the years, so I’ll stick to the playlist highlights for now and I’ll detail some of the important songs that have come out in the last few years to keep it topical.
By Samantha Cote3 years ago in Beat
My Life: A Musical Montage
Beautiful- Eminem It was more than a decade ago and I was having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that life isn’t fair. Sitting at the back of an over-heated college bus in mid-July, on my way back home from classes that I couldn’t be less interested in, I was trying to convince myself of a number of things: it was just the heat getting to me and my life was not as terrible as I was making it out to be, that most Asian parents force decisions upon their children and mine was not a misery the likes of which had gone unwitnessed before, that all of my friends getting to make their own choices in life did not fill me with envy. Little did I know that this would not just be a one-time occurrence, my naivete had led to the conviction that if I could just bring this home, I would win my parents over. Toiling to classes in mornings and evenings alike would be forgotten all too easily once I had that final approbation. Artists whose personal lives were riddled with adversities captivated me, consequently, this was my anthem in those days.
By Noor Yasar3 years ago in Beat
K-Pop Down Under: Australian Superstars Ruling the Hallyu Wave
Ever caught yourself wondering, “How did K-pop take over the world?” I mean, one minute I'm humming along to a song in a language I don't understand, and the next, I'm scouring the internet at 2 a.m. for the latest fan theories about BTS' music videos. This global phenomenon has redefined pop culture, and interestingly, Australia is right in the middle of it. Yes, you heard that right! We've got more Aussie-born K-pop stars than there are kangaroos on Pebbly Beach. Well, maybe not quite that many, but you get the idea.
By Nathan Chen3 years ago in Beat
BlackPink's Kiwi Connection: New Zealand's Unexpected K-Pop Gift
Alright, gather around folks. We're about to embark on a whimsical journey. Picture this: you're chilling in the vibrant, rolling hills of New Zealand, gazing upon the sheer majesty of The Lord of the Rings landscape. Suddenly, in the distance, you hear a beat. A rhythm. Is that... K-Pop? Yep, you heard it right! We're going to uncover an exciting and, quite frankly, unexpected tale about the K-Pop sensation, BlackPink. "Wait, what? Are they from New Zealand?" I hear you asking. Well, buckle up. It's storytime.
By Nathan Chen3 years ago in Beat
When K-Pop Meets Tradition: My Grandpa’s Journey into the BTS Fandom
Growing up with a traditional Asian grandfather is an experience that's hard to put into words. It's a delightful mix of life lessons, valuable wisdom, hearty meals, and conversations that will have you laughing one minute and pondering the next. Imagine, then, bringing into this mix a modern obsession — my love for the South Korean boy band, BTS.
By Nathan Chen3 years ago in Beat
It's really all about that bass.
In my life, I have always been the strong, secure friend. I am snarky and blunt, and I might act like it's killing me, but I will take care of you better than your own family. I will know your shoe size, middle name, favorite food, and what time you need to be at work. At first, I'm told, I'm intimidating, then you work with me or see me in action, and you're intrigued. Somehow, I will manage to know what you need before you need it, and this makes me a valuable friend or coworker. It also makes me a target because people who struggle to manage their feelings, communication, and relationships look to me to stabilize them. They think I'm tough enough to take them at their worst, so that's exactly what I get. I'm like an anchor, but I'm a dysfunctional anchor with a side of toxic empathy. I need exceptionally steady people in my corner.
By Mel Danielle3 years ago in Beat
