For our next entry in our year end “Best Of 2016” coverage we asked our friend Becca Cooke (aka “Red”) from EC home goods & accessories store Red’s Mercantile to weigh in on some of her favorite songs of the past year. We knew Becca was a big music fan and would have some great picks for us because she’s a regular at local concerts, she’s hosted live music at Red’s before, she’s one of Blugold Radio’s biggest sponsors, and there’s always great indie tunes (oftentimes from 99.9!) playing in store anytime we’ve stopped in. She doesn’t disappoint! Scroll through for Becca’s five favorite tracks of 2016!
If you knew me growing up, you’d know how much I love MIA, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs + Santigold. This song is fire (punsss). I love all of these bands and have been a loyalist because their songs are empowering. Their music is often politically charged like MIA’s ‘Borders’ that came out this year too. I play Santigold when I need to get shit done or to set shop vibes.
Whoa. Not gonna lie, I heard about this guy when Rihanna shouted him out on her Instagram. The music video reflects our times. Watch it! My favorite hip-hop song/album of the year.
This first time I heard this song I cried. I replayed it over and over like 10 times. I’ve loved Leif since I was gifted his North Americana record. I guess this album technically comes out in 2017, but let this song blow over you to close the year. His work always tells a story – this song in particular tells an important one.
I first listened to ‘Coffee’ sitting around a bonfire next to a frozen Lake Altoona. My bae and I were previewing the Eaux Claires line-up and died. Then we watched the video and thought it was at an EC house party. Amelia never disappoints + I’m in love with her new work ‘Radio’. I put on Sylvan Esso to dance around the store or start a party. I awkwardly met Amelia this summer when I spotted her playing Pokemon downtown EC (I was the dorky one)
I watched this interview she did with Pharrell describing her path to writing this song. It came through her experiences hiking and nature where I also draw energy from. “…and i walked off an old me” – 2016 was a year for me of slowly shedding off an old career in politics and an old lifestyle. Leaving me centered in my hometown.
