alternative

Alternative music from the underground, straight to your listening device.

Songs of Drama-Trauma and Reclamation
My Teen Angst Playlist: Somebody by Depeche Mode Creep by Radiohead Hurt by NIN Rid of Me by PJ Harvey Crucify by Tori Amos
By cora lynnish5 years ago in Beat
In a Tizzy? Well, I’ve Got Some Tunes to Soothe You: Americana Edition. Third Place in Zen Playlist Challenge.
Pardon me, but I think it's a little unusual (rude) to leave Americana out of the conversation when we're talking about "zen" or soothing music. Personally, it's my go-to genre when I need any kind of comforting or encouragement. Whenever I find myself in a rut, I'll play one of my favorite Americana tunes and like magic, I find my way back to center with a renewed sense of purpose and steadfast motivation.
By Dream Silas5 years ago in Beat
Headbangers for Headaches
As one does in their formative years, I stole vintage things from my parents, since the styles from three decades ago were coming back, much like the ‘90s now (I know, I freaked out too). In my case, I stole ‘70s rock music from my dad, in that I was the one who exclusively used his iPod (throwback to the 5th generation). My teenage rebel soul, housed in a small body that’s been 5-foot-even since 8th grade, fell in love with the guitar riffs and headbanging of many bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, and Cream. ‘70s rock is now Classic Rock, but it was a gateway to my love of alternative rock. The guitar riffs, the yelling, the highway to hell for our misdeeds, wraps me in nostalgia, angst, and the kind of cool that I want to exude. The kind where men are afraid to approach my 5 foot self while I walk alone.
By Ariana GonBon5 years ago in Beat
Why Shoegaze is the Best Genre to Chill to.
Shoegaze is a genre that means a lot to me and one I often site as my favourite style of music. Not a lot of people are very familiar with it so I've included a playlist below of songs I think are great to dip your toes in to get into the genre.
By Paul Heder5 years ago in Beat
Synesthesia and Summer
‘“Ah music,” he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here!”’ JK Rowling uses Dumbledore, a headmaster of a magic school, to remind us the power behind music. It seems to transcend so many other methods of relaxation and recuperation. Music therapy, singing to plants to make them grow, and music and meditation are beyond magic. The right playlist and the right relaxation method can combine for a perfect storm of rejuvenation.
By Noah Glenn5 years ago in Beat
Practicing Mindfulness: Hand Clapping, Foot Stomping Folk
The meditative sensation of tuning out the outside world and the narration in my head had always seemed very far out of reach for me. I’ve struggled with anxiety and ADHD all my life and have a hard time simply relaxing and living in the moment. This became extremely overwhelming when I was in college. I was constantly stressed about one problem or another and had no idea how to manage it. So, I tried taking a yoga and meditation class. But when my instructor told me to clear my mind, I could never seem to stop myself from free falling through a stream of consciousness no matter how hard I tried.
By Kailey Roberts5 years ago in Beat
A Meditative Playlist
There are so many soothing songs out there, that pick you up and carry you away into the netherspheres of another land. What about a playlist that has the ability not only to uplift, but to ground you in the spheres of this dimension too? A playlist that reminds us how lucky we are to be here amongst the plentitudes of Earth, rather than on some rockier, less gorgeous planet?
By Sophia Laurel Pack5 years ago in Beat
The Other Dylan Playlist
I remember clearly the first time I heard the song 6th Avenue Heartache. It was about a year after the album was actually released. I was driving south down Chicot Rd in Pascagoula, MS. I had just left my boyfriend's apartment at Compass Point. I remember the song coming on the local radio station and I immediately liked it.
By Heather Holland5 years ago in Beat
The power of music
Whenever I do something like cleaning, going on a run or things of the like I always listen to music. I’ll put on my favorite playlist and pick a song that fits whatever mood I’m feeling or thing I’m doing. I tend to frequent happier, more upbeat songs but sometimes I’ll binge listen to sad songs that make me want to cry and eat a pint of ice cream. That’s the best thing about music. There’s a song for every emotion felt on a daily basis. When holding a conversation with someone in an attempt to avoid awkward silence they might ask what kind of music I like and I always tell them I like what I like and if I don’t like it then I don’t. That means that I might like any song of any artist or genre. Just to show them how diverse my playlist is I’ll say it consists of different artists that range from AC/DC and Nirvana to Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara. I find new songs in new ways every day. I might be scrolling on tiktok or the home screen on youtube and just click on a random one that I think I might like. I grew up on music. It was always my escape. I liked to notice the different sounds of the songs I listened to, the changes in the notes, the chords and the feelings I get from listening to the story that’s being told in the song. I’m not the most musically inclined person in the world but I notice the little things. One more thing I love about music is sharing it with other people. Some may not like my choice in music and that’s perfectly normal but there are others that do like it. I like to share my music with people because I think they might like it too. Although this isn’t always the case. When I feel sad I instantly deviate to my sad playlist. I’ve never been good at talking about how I feel with anyone so I use sad songs as a sort of relief so I don’t have to get all teary eyed. My playlists are packed with refined songs by incredible artists from as old as Sinatra to newer artists like Shawn Mendes or Megan Thee Stallion. All incredible songs by great artists. For context, when I was growing up I was bullied by my own cousins. I remember one day I was sitting in a class and I saw Scars to your beautiful by Alessia Cara and I just sat there and cried until the whole period was over. I like finding new songs and assigning them to playlists. It helps to put my mind at ease. I’d say my taste in music has been more inclusive over the years. Twelve year old me would never listen to the same music that twenty two year old me plays. When I hear a song, I listen to the words, the background instruments, the changes in notes, the artists’ voice, how it makes me feel and the layers. I try to understand how the song relates to me if it does. When it comes to music I process things differently than most people. When I lost my grandmother a couple years ago, I dedicated Calum Scott’s song you are the reason to her by getting it tattooed on me. She was my reason. Everything he sings in the song is how I feel about her. The day she died was by far the worst day of my life. Despite it being a beautiful song, when I hear it it brings me to tears. It reminds me just how much she meant to me and how much I miss her every day.
By Kemaini5 years ago in Beat
The Tao of Guitar
This is where you need the Tao. What the heck is a Tao you may ask? Well, here is what Lao Tzu had to say about it: The Tao is like a bellows It is empty yet infinitely capable The more you use it, the more it produces The more you talk of it the less you understand.
By Richard Revelstoke5 years ago in Beat
Your Ultimate Anti Valentines Track list
Valentine’s Day is the Day for lovers. The odds are that if you made your way to this article, you yourself may indeed be single, while on a holiday meant for non-single folks. I’m here to tell you that being a single person on Valentine’s Day is not necessarily a bad thing. You may not get those sweet nothings on a seemingly otherwise unimportant day, but you for sure will not be burdened by the reasons your relationship came to an end! That is what you call freedom my dear. Nevertheless, we still tend to beat ourselves up about it any way. I’m guilty at times myself. So here is a specially curated track list designed to guide your emotions during this solidarity. Here’s to all the ups and downs, and to better days ahead.
By Beautiful Chaos5 years ago in Beat
Jonny Wickersham of Social Distortion is at Home with His Music
Photo by Ed Vill Growing up in the home of a guitarist, Jonny Wickersham of Social Distortion amplified his father's country rock sound in favor of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix and the like. But his early aspiration could not equal his inspiration, and he retreated to an instrument in the bass that was more his speed. He eventually found his strum and would go onto become a staple in the California punk rock scene with U.S. Bombs, Cadillac Tramps and the L.A.'s Youth Brigade. He eventually landed with Social D in 2000. But that doesn't mean he has been able to simply coast with the talent he has been given.
By Rich Monetti5 years ago in Beat