Before finishing the year with Dredg on his home turf with shows in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, drummer Dino Campanella shared his favorite songs of 2012 with us.

Kanye West – Mercy
Kanye has officially proven that the 808 will never go out of style. What seems like a simple beat out of nowhere turns into a weird rendition of Scarface 2020. The song is full of feel. Hip hop today continues to take risks and succeeds in doing so.


Sleigh Bells – “Demons” (Diplo remix)
I’m Not sure if any of Sleigh Bells’s original track exist on this remix, but this is sonically one of the best things I’ve ever heard, even for Diplo. I feel like I’m in some goth club in Berlin in the year 2030 when I hear this. Diplo yet again proves he is the best producer in the world.

2 Chainz – No Lie (Feat. Drake)
2 Chainz’ voice, his tone and his “I don’t really care to be here” attitude intrigues my ears every time and the stony hip hop beat reminds me of being baked in 10th grade. It’s admirable that a track like this makes it to the Top 10 in today’s shitty climate of pop music.

Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen
I’m not really sure why I like this so much, but I do. Something special was captured on the recording and the feeling is so unique that it’s inspiring.

Crosses – Purient
I love this song and have a special attachment to it.

The Weeknd – Wicked Games
Great song, great feeling; this guy has already officially “broken through,” but it feels like his talents will deliver for a long time to come. Everything I’ve heard from him is amazing.


Santigold – Disparate Youth
Kinda dub, kinda reggae, really awesome. Santigold=so amazing.

Dredge performs at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on December 20 nd in Santa Cruz on December 21 at The Catalyst.

More economic turmoil, mass protests, natural disasters—2011 was far from a rosy year, but Silicon Valley’s party people still managed to get out and forget about the world’s problems, at least for a few hours.

MetroActive photographer Ian Healy, Felipe Buitrago, Jen Anderson, C.J. and Cyn Yen caught some of our favorite moments.

Nikki Minaj at Studio 8 in April.

Pyramid at Rosie McCann's (Santana Row) in April.

Rosie McCann's (Santana Row) in April.

Who says Silicon Valley’s music scene is dying? 2011 brought indie favorites (Little Dragon, OK GO), rap superstars (Lil Wayne, Nas) and lots of local action to stages across the South Bay.

Metro’s photographers Albert Bracamonte, Jessica Shirley-Donnelly, Felipe Buitrago, Ian Healy, Vicki Thompson and Jen Anderson were on hand to catch most of the action. A selection of our favorites is below.

Little Dragon at Pagoda in January.

OK Go at Avalon in February.

Seasick Steve serenading a fan at the Blank Club in April.

Pop Rocks at The Brit Downtown in May.