Northeast Music Guide

"I'm always aiming for a certain aesthetic," says North East producer/songwriter Pete Beat. "Every one of those thousands of decisions that goes into making a tune from what note to play, to how much to adjust a setting or the right word in a lyric; I'm judging them all by how pleasing it is to my ear, what I like." What Pete Beat likes is electronic pop that's undeniably funky. With a background in pure dance music and as vocalist for some obscure Russian trance releases (he's got the Internet to thank for that), Pete’s forthcoming EP sees him turn his talent to guitar-infused electro-pop. "I make tunes whenever the inspiration strikes me," he explains. "It got to the point where I had three tunes I would be happy enough to put out there that felt like a cohesive piece of music together. It's been a couple of years since my last release and I thought it was high time to get something out. My sound has evolved since l...

Tom Robinson Interview New Album: Only The Now Jo: So, First of all let’s talk about this new album, Only The Now . TR: Yeah have you had a chance to hear it yet? JO: I’ve had a quick listen through and I love Mighty Sword of Justice . TR OK, Cool JO: You’ve obviously got a whole new set of axes to grind with this album? TR: No not really, there are only a couple of songs on there that are overtly political but they seem to be the ones that other journalists write about. Also they are the ones that live, seem to get the audience going, get the biggest reaction, because they connect with people’s lives. JO: Yes definitely TR: I’d say its an album of things I’m passionate about but not all of it involves tubthumping and banging a drum. JO: The song you had out in the summer was quite a powerful one. TR. Yes that was Don’t Jump Don’t fall , in support of the anti-suicide charity CALM. Because I know first hand that young men in their teens and twenties are at re...