Recently EC music-makers Nick Anderson & The Skinny Lovers recorded their first ever live video session! The video features a performance of their song “24” and was shot at Toy Car Studios by J Scott Kunkel, Kyle Lehman, and Thomas Fabre. Justin Green did the engineering, and Justin Andersen the mixing/mastering!
Nick Anderson & The Skinny Lovers will be returning to Toy Car Studios and playing alongside Eau Claire newcomers Chamber Noise September 9th for a FREE and ALL AGES event presented by Blugold Radio.
Hello, dear reader! Thanks for checking out our list of 2016’s best music videos. We had three main goals in mind when we went to formulate this list: first and foremost we limited scope and tried to pick videos from artists and bands you might hear on 99.9 instead of just the best videos in general, we tried to sneak a few picks in that we haven’t seen featured on lists elsewhere along with those few that are simply undeniable (like our #1), and we also tried to pick a mixture of videos that aimed to make a significant statement or were artfully done along with a few that are just plain lighthearted and fun (and a few that are somewhere in-between!). We think we nailed it. Let us know what you think!
Why is this one on the list?! Two words: DANCING ROBOT
With a throwback look, jubilant dancing, and an adorable kid performing his heart out this charming video and song are sure to put a smile on your face.
This poignant video speaks to the issue of police violence by depicting a dark, chilling reimagining of a typical children’s television show.
This beautifully eerie and surreal video for A Moon Shaped Pool track “Daydreaming” was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Inherent Vice, There Will Be Blood, The Master) and features Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke wandering through a series of doorways and locales until finally escaping to find rest at video’s end.
In a year where the partisan divide between political sides both here in the US and abroad has never seemed more tense or vitriolic, this video and the scenario it depicts feels uncomfortably relevant and all too believable. The video opens with a number of politician types sitting in a conference room where tensions between one another continue to rise. It doesn’t take long for it all to boil over, and then? …chaos ensues!
Be forewarned: this video from Toronto punkers PUP (that features a familiar face for all you “Stranger Things” fans!) will make you cry.
This video manages to be both pretty funny and full of heartache at the same time, dealing with the relatable discomforts of awkwardness, unrequited attraction, not fitting in…and Coachella Brand Hipsterdom™.
A simple yet incredibly fun video that was probably destined to make our “Best Of” list due to a goofy choreographed dance featuring EC’s patron saint of indie rock himself, Mr. Justin Vernon.
This video is a testament to what talented filmmakers can do with just over 6 minutes; it’s more of a harrowing short film than it is your typical music video. It is set in the antebellum south and delves into violence, oppression, innocence and forgiveness. It’s beautifully shot and a truly powerful work.
This video is sure to make most “Best Of” lists. It’s a creepy, powerful, and prescient depiction of inspiration and creation in the face of frailty and death. It’s a fitting tribute to the song and album it was made for, and quite the goodbye from the irreplaceable and remarkable artist that was David Bowie…a man whose work–like this song title implies–will continue to live on.
…alright, so there’s our top 10. However, we’d be remiss to talk about the best videos of 2016 without at least mentioning Beyonce. Sure, as stated in the intro for this list we were aiming to represent videos from artists you might hear pretty regularly in rotation on our little indie rock station and admittedly Beyonce doesn’t quite fit that bill (though we’re huge fans!) but Lemonade is such a dynamic and undeniable work we have to take a moment to give credit where credit is due and recommend that you check it out if you haven’t already. Here’s “Formation” off of Lemonade to get you started:
…alright, now that we’ve given kudos to Beyonce it’s time to show some love to two really terrific videos produced by local bands We’re Wolves and Waldemar.
This video for We’re Wolves track “River” was shot on location here in Eau Claire by Walter Mueller or Walter Mueller Studios:
…and this video for Waldemar song “Visions” was written, shot, directed and edited by Scott Kunkel of Scotify:
Well there you have it! There’s our list. Did we overlook your favorite? Let us know in the comments. But like…in a nice way, yeah?! Cool.
