**EXCLUSIVE**
Happy New Year to all! And what a way to kick off 2010...because we've got a Beaston-exclusive, and boy oh boy, is it ever a most rad one!


One of our obsessions of (can we already say "last year") 2009, is the highly-recommended and "yep, you're all catching on" duo, My Gold Mask, out of Chicago. Gretta and Jack are two super-talented music ans, creating dynamic art-rock that we've been singing the praises of for many months. We even went so far as to bring them to NYC for our CMJ showcase in October!

Now, MGM are back and better than ever with a new EP. A Thousand Voices is 5 hits of power, fear, emotion and pure radness. You may recognize the lead track, Violet Eyes, as it spread through blogworld late last year (ugh, that still sounds too weird!).

I'm utterly beaming that these kids decided to let me debut one of the songs from the EP as a Sheena Beaston exclusive. Circle Mass is a furious frolic of everything we love most about My Gold Mask...intense rises and passionate vocalizings.

Circle Mass is yours for free below. It is included on their A Thousand Voices EP which will be available on January 9, 2010, but you can, and should, preorder it here now.

mp3: My Gold Mask - Circle Mass

Long story short...I love everything Alan Wilkis touches, so getting emails from him always brightens up a beastly day. He takes the tunes I care not to listen to, and reworks them with a lovely disco finesse that turns said tracks into some of my most listened to jams.

And so goes the case with his latest. Wilkis, along with San Francisco's Pance Party, was tapped by Chester French as part of a special holiday exclusive. The package takes their meh-kay song, C'mon, and delivers a post-Xmas punch to the gut!

Grab Alan's slick lil' stocking stuffer now.

mp3: Chester French - C'mon (Alan Wilkis Remix)

BONUS! Grab the other two included in the gift for free now.

mp3: Chester French - C'mon (Pance Party Remix)
mp3: Chester French - C'mon (Radio Rock Mix)

Our favorite baile funk-rock kids, The Fire and Reason, deliver an early Christmas present...in the form of a new video for their dancefloor scorcher, Do It Again.


2009 has been super rad for the New York City duo of Bella and Steve. From winning LOGO's NewNowNext Award for the Brink of Fame artist, to having their song placed as the theme for an MTV reality show, it's clear that way back in early 2008, when we pegged them to break out this year, critics and fans were listening!

Below, you'll find the video for Do It Again, which is all rock, tons of roll...and bit of leather and lust thrown on top. The mix used is Brad Walsh's fix of the track.

Grab Walsh's mix for free below!

mp3: The Fire and Reason - Do It Again (Brad Walsh Remix)

Yes, that is the actual full title of the release. From here on out, we'll simply refer to it as The Flaming Lips' Dark Side for spacial purposing...we like neat and tidy things.


So how do the fearless freaks from Oklahoma City intend to tackle one fo the most famous concept albums in music history? By summoning majestic rock power with typical mind-scrambling weirdness and assistance from Henry Rollins and Peaches.

Below is the track list, and after that, the link to buy the album.

1. Speak To Me / Breathe (featuring Henry Rollins and Peaches)
2. On The Run (featuring Henry Rollins)
3. Time / “Breathe Reprise”
4. The Great Gig In The Sky (featuring Peaches and Henry Rollins)
5. Money (featuring Henry Rollins)
6. Us And Them (featuring Henry Rollins)
7. Any Colour You Like
8. Brain Damage (featuring Henry Rollins)
9. Eclipse (featuring Henry Rollins)

The album is available as an iTunes exclusive only through December 28, so hurry up and get it here!

mp3: Peaches vs The Flaming Lips vs Gary Glitter - I Didn’t Know The Lips Wanna Be Her (DJ Paul V Mash)

The past 3 months of this beastly year have undoubtedly been overtaken by Sleigh Bells and their fistful of demos. From engaging live performances to gaining support from top music critics and bloggers alike, this Brooklyn duo is set to make 2010 their own!


Another BK-badass, is our buddy, Jane Bang. Known for her signaturely-suggestive lyrics and eccentrically arranged mix of hip-hop and electro, she's hit us up with a number of repeatable tracks and mixes over the course of the past two years.

Now, Bang has tackled a fix of one of the most exciting demos from Sleigh Bells. Crown on the Ground is a magical mess of guitars and thumping beats, with almost indistinguishable lyrical content. But it works oh so well! So that's why we're so pumped that Jane stuck true to the original mix, and instead, simply opted to throw in some added vocals and an ending verse which gives the song just a dose more cred.

The remix is yours for free below!

mp3: Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground (Jane Bang Remix)

Last month, this beast went bananas for the sounds emitted by Coco Sumner, aka I Blame Coco. Mentioning that her song featuring the poploving darlin', Robyn, was in the midst of filming a video, only threw me into a deeper fit of wondering obsession...but today, we wonder no more.


With her husky vocals and "are you sure she's only 18" musical sensibility, Caesar proves Sumner's more than adequate chops and the ensuing song and video is just the beginning for what I promise will be a huge year in 2010 for the gal.

Watch the video for Caesar now.

Here's what Coco has to say about the video:

"Had my first radio play last night! On at 10 with Nick Grimshaw. I'm over the moon! (Cheers Grimmy!). Should be putting up the video of Caesar at some point directed by Hope + Audikana. I think its brilliant I hope you like it. Also Caesar remixes from Miike Snow and Diplo are going to be avalible too! Merry Christmas everyone."

Did you get that all down? The track will be officially released on January 25th via download and a limited edition 10" vinyl featuring an exclusive Miike Snow remix. A Diplo mix also in the works.

Radness.

mp3: I Blame Coco - Bohemian Love

Since their debut in 2006, You Say Party! We Say Die! have been an underground favorite, as championed by many a rad blogger and random outsider. With their 3rd studio album, XXXX, due out on February 9, the Vancouver five-piece is gearing up for a supporting tour.


Rad man dude boy, Jeff, recently got sassy with You Say Party! We Say Die!. Check out his interview here. And now, the tour dates.

Jan 15 - Nelson, BC - Spirit Bar
Jan 21 - Kamloops, BC - The Plaza
Jan 22 - Vancouver, BC - The Orpheum w/ Phoenix
Jan 27 - Surrey, BC - Olympic show w/ Tokyo Police Club, Wintersleep
Mar 09 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
Mar 10 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Mar 11 - San Fran, CA - Bottom Of the Hill
Mar 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex
Mar 15 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
Mar 17 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 21 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
Mar 22 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
Mar 23 - Charlotte, NC - Snug Harbor
Mar 24 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
Mar 26 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory
Mar 27 - Boston, MA - TT The Bears
Mar 29 - New York, NY - Piano's
Mar 30 - Detroit, MI - Pike Room
Mar 31 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

mp3: You Say Party! We Say Die! - Dark Days

If you're a lover of System of a Down, much like me, then you no doubt are in a constant state of anticipation at any mentions of new material, one-off performances or side projects in affiliation with any of the band members. Today, we have such news!


Frontman, Serj Tankian, has been hard at work with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in New Zealand to produce and perform his Elect The Dead Symphony. And now, the inaugural performance has been packaged and prepped for release in 2010.

Watch the trailer now, then jump below for pre-order info.

The first 1500 people to pre-order will get a very special limited edition lithograph that is hand numbered and signed by Tankian. You can choose between CD/DVD, 2LP's or a special edition viyl. Follow this link to pre-order.

And is it just me, or does anyone else have a raging crush on Serj? I think he's majorly attractive...yep.

mp3: System Of A Down - Chop Suey (Remakerz Remix)

There have been many a dude, chickee, robot and the like write up about the killer contest The FADER is hosting. So instead of writing a whole ton, I'll simply direct you to below the image and give you the details as to how something so rad can be all yours.


Here's the long and short of it.

SALEM and Tanlines team up for the 11th installment of the FADER/Southern Comfort 7-inch series. If you dig vinyl, they're giving away copies from the limited pressing of 500.

Go here to win and good luck!

mp3: SALEM - breakdownthadoor

Over the past few weeks, there have been quite a few beastly mentions, rants and raves about how super excited we were to join forces with killer cool dude Jeff, from The Culture of Me, and East Village Radio to throw an exclusively private and ultimately rad acoustic set by Echo + the Bunnymen frontman, Ian McCulloch.


Last Friday, the night began with talks and tunes down at EVR during Mark Ronson's Authentic Sh*t show. After Mac and Mark had their verbal rapport, it was off to The Studio at Webster Hall for an intimate evening with the iconic singer.

Dare we say, Mac was in great spirits, considering a touch of a sore throat. He coyly interacted with the crowd, sipped brandy and water, and most importantly, brought an enthusiastic energy to six classic songs. Beginning with the latest E+tB single, Think I Need It Too, McCulloch ended the evening with the always fantastically perfect "sing along to it" staple, The Killing Moon.


More photos, courtesy of the ridiculously talented Gabi Porter, can be seen here.

Thanks again to all who helped put together this rad night. We are/were honored to have been a part of it!

mp3: Echo and The Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar

It's loud, it's grumbly, and it's all kinds of echoliciously shouty. In summation it's POPO, and the first of their tracks to come forth, Knife iz Yung. The Philadelphia brothers make no excuses, and even less sense, but something about their off kilter musical style resonates so clearly.


Barely scratching the one-and-a-half minute mark, Knife iz Yung is surf rock agony with your schizophrenic brother screaming at you while you try and thrash on your drumkit.

Seriously, this track makes us crazy...crazy in love. For more rad POPO-ness, check out the equally superb, Final Fight demo over on their 'Space.

The brothers will be headed to Los Angeles in early 2010 to work with Diplo and Ariel Rechtshaid, in preparation for their first official single and eventual debut album. Also, upcoming live show dates here.

mp3: POPO - Knife iz Yung

Jemina Pearl, she of rage, rock and radness, recently swung by the offices of Spin to perform a handful of songs...acoustically. Gone is the riotous frontwoman persona, and we're privy to a sneak peek of her performance in a much tamer tone.


When she's not hanging with Iggy, or being lauded as the protege of Thurston Moore, Pearl has been touring the states, keeping track of her journey on her personal blog. While the latest trek has recently come to an end, she made time to jump over to the music magazine's headquarters and dish out 4 acoustic takes of songs from her debut album, Break It Up.

Watch an acoustic rendition of I Hate People, with boyfriend/accompanyist John Eatherly on guitar.

Acoustic takes on D is for Danger, Heartbeats and Undesirable can be viewed here.

mp3: Jemina Pearl - After Hours

Building upon its acclaimed reputation as a premier presenter of noteworthy emerging and established independent music, New York City's summer-oriented Seaport Music Festival debuts its latest venture: Seaport Music Records.


First up for SMR is the release of This Christmas, a retro-styled, alternative holiday single by The Elves of Heaven, featuring Martin Clancy. And in the spirit of the holiday season, the single is being offered up as a free stocking stuffer!

In conjunction with the release of This Christmas, Clancy will become the first Seaport Music Records Artist in Residence. He is commissioned to "create, collaborate, and produce" a series of releases for the label over the course of the next two years.

mp3: The Elves of Heaven (featuring Martin Clancy) - This Christmas

On of Brooklyn's best kept secrets is the experimentally mellow duo of Deidre Muro and Paul Hammer, more commonly referred to as Savoir Adore. With the release of their stunning pop-laden debut this fall, the pair are set to make beautiful beautiful noise in 2010.


Mixing perfectly crafted guitar riffs and swooning, dreamy vocals, Savoir Adore claim that their formation was an accident. While never intending to "be in a band", Muro and Hammer worked their friendship into a state of collaboration that resulted in the output of their first LP, The Wooded Forest, in September of this year.

And lucky for you NYC'ers, you can take a break from the hectic rage of holiday shopping by kicking back and being soothed by the sounds of Savoir Adore on December 18. They play Cameo with Brooklyn Buddies French Horn Rebellion.

More details here.

mp3: Savoir Adore - We Talk Like Machines

Queen Kwong is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and award winning cat handler (sort of) Carré Callaway. Discovered at age 17 by Trent Reznor, she was invited to support NIN on its sold-out With Teeth tour, and four years later, Callaway once again opened for the band's final tour, Wave Goodbye.


What began as a curious 4-track analog cassette recorded in Carré’s living room soon grew to become Queen Kwong, a full rock band that can be heard (primarily) at venues across Los Angeles. Presently, QK is in the last stages of finishing her debut, full-length record, which will be available this winter.

Queen Kwong sounds like the whispery child of Shirley Manson, strung out over the infamous buzz of Kris Novaselic's bass lines, and that makes this beast all sorts of excityed about what's left unheard from the magnetic musician.

Much like I Blame Coco (whom we recently featured/introduced), Queen Kwong ushers in a fresh new sound: young gals ready to bring back an updated take on riot grrls who rock and rage with extremely excellent results.

mp3: Queen Kwong - Pet

Listen up my little beasts...please get used to reading a lot on Zambri in the coming months. First, I introduced you to the radically rad rad rad outfit, soon after featuring their win as Deli Mag's artist of the month. Today, I'm keeping on in the continual praise of their uniquely enigmatic musical stylings.


Zambri have two shows coming up in Brooklyn (NYC, I best see you all there!), and they've also recently released the video for their crushingly cool track, Bang For Changes. Watch it now!

Along with the video, Zambri will be on BBC Radio 1 tonight...that's 9pm GMT, or 4pm EST for all my [b]east coast lovers. The song featured will be Death Metal Disco Scene's superbly stunning remix of my favorite Zambri track, w/Somembody.

This fix is all sorts of rubberized motion and smooth beat drops that makes us want to hit a dance floor immediately. Keep listening through the nearly minute and a half buildup because the 1:34 mark is a major payoff. Mondo rad to the max!

mp3: Zambri - wSomebody (Death Metal Disco Scene Remix)

Having a famous parent always helps in the music business, right? Coco Sumner, she the offspring of Sting, easily sneaks out of her father's shadow, however, and creates a mix of ska, rock and punk under the name I Blame Coco. At just 18 years of age, IBC is one act to definitely keep on your radar for 2010.


With a husky, and at times, genderlessly gorgeous voice, Coco is an exciting and fresh artist who leaps over the line of what the current state of music coming out of the UK is. With a large emphasis on the electropop gals, she shakes up the scene by making rock that refuses to quit.

Most recently, she hooked up with Robyn for upcoming single, Caesar*. The Swede provides vocals on the chorus. In addition to the platinum pixie, Coco has also enlisted fellow Scandinavian dudes, Teddybears, to aid in production of her debut album.

Also, in doing a little twitter stalking, I've found that a video for Caesar is currently being filmed. Listen to a clip of the song below.

mp3: I Blame Coco (featuring Robyn) - Caesar (snippet)

*In other outlets, the song has been titled Caesar Will Fall. Will update as soon as more information is verified.

Friday, December 4 sees the return of Ian McCulloch, the iconic frontman of Echo and the Bunnymen, to New York City. After a smashing show at Mercury Lounge earlier this fall, many an avid fan were left wanting more. Now, thanks to the fine folks over at East Village Radio, along with The Culture of Me, and well me, Sheena Beaston, we are pleased to announce the following.


As described above, Mac will be performing a solo set at The Studio at Webster Hall. Prior to his performance, the Liverpoolian lad will be kicking it with Mark Ronson during his Authenti Sh*t slot at EVR. Both Jeff (TCoM) and msyelf will be covering the pre-show radio set, complete with this Beast working the mic for on-camera footage to air after the haps take place.

Here's the deal. The after party/show is a closed event, by invitation only. "But Beast...how do I get in then?" THAT, my dear readers, is where my generosity comes in.

On Monday, November 30, I will be announcing an exclusive contest, in which a handful of you lucky souls will be my personal guests to the event. More details to follow after the holiday.

Until then, get excited and stay rad!

mp3: Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar

The Tel Avivan band, Terry Poison, is coming to NYC on December 9, and it's as if Christmas has come early for this Beast. We've long been the fans of the quintet and their self-titled debut album, which mixes fun and wit with a unique electroclash sound, so the opportunity to catch them live is one we won't soon pass up.


Fronted by Israeli-Norse vocalist, Louise Kahn, Terry Poison mixes fashion and fun with a knowledgeable breadth of all things musically diverse and electronically challenged. Band members Petite, Anna, Gili and Bruno back up the dynamic ritot grrl.

Watch the recently debuted live video of Casual Boys and jump after the visuals for info on their upcoming New York City performance.

Terry Poison play the 1st annual Santamaria Collective on December 9. The show takes place at The Studio at Websetr Hall. $10 in advance or $15 at door. More info by emailing here.

mp3: Terry Poison - Comme Ci Comme Ca (The Twelves Remix)
mp3: Terry Poison - Smack Snack

Did you know that David Bowie is the Beast's favorite? It shouldn't be that hard to gather, what with my love of glam rock, funky riffs, sequined apparel, and boys in makeup. That, in a rad little nutshell, is a good time. But what promises to be an even better time, is NYC's annual Bowie Ball.


As much as I love my Thin White Duke, in all of my years residing in this wonderful city, I'd never ventured out to this lavishly rad affair. Chalk it up to ignorance, or maybe previous engagements. This year, however, the plan is to not miss the festivities. And so you don't miss it either, here are the details.

Bowie Ball
le poisson rouge
Saturday, December 5
10pm - 4am

Live performances by: Reni Lane, Kevin Aviance, Bridget Everett, Michael Cavadias, Amy Douglas, Our Lady J, The Kiki Twins, Michael Formika Jones and Kenan Duffy

DJ sets by: Josh Madden, Michael T, Justine D and Johnny Dynell

$10 before 12am w/RSVP to bowieball@gmail.com
$15 after or $20 day off

Dress code is enforced: i.e. one-armed onesies, fitted suit and ties and refined rocker splendor.

Check out pics from last year here.

mp3: David Bowie - Rebel Rebel
mp3: Reni Lane - Place For Us (Glitter and Blitz Remix)