Tonight Sacramento-bred alternative rockers Cake will be headlining the Troubadour. Minnesotan genre-hopping, full-figured singer-songwriter Har Mar Superstar is poised to take on the Satellite. And, lastly, LAist favorites the Monolators (LAist Review, #2) will be gracing hole-and-corner Pehrspace. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Echo to catch NY's most proficient guitar player Marnie Stern. LAist favorites, Sacramento's Tera Melos are slated to kick things off. more ›

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

Tonight pop rock sensation OneRepublic will be headlining a bill of relatively mediocre acts at the Palladium in Hollywood. If you're looking for the bizarre, then the El Rey is playing host to beats (experimental electro group Gang Gang Dance) and frenetic guitar playing (Marnie Stern). Speaking of slaying guitars, stoner metal is apparently still very much alive and kicking. Head over to Spaceland for some serious headbanging with Miami-based Torche. And Mexico's own Kinky will be stopping through Club Nokia. But we suggest heading over to McCabe's to see Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. more ›

The Big Believers, Baker London, The Kris Special, The P. Lacquers @ Mr. T's Bowl more ›