Joshua Pressman

Chester French, an eclectic pop duo who hail from Harvard, are poised to release one of the most heavily anticipated debuts of 2009. Surely, the hype stems from being courted by Pharrell Williams' to sign to his prominent, predominantly hip-hop label, Star Trak. But as front man D.A. Wallach explains, the band's open-mindedness and respect for all walks of music paved the way to their retention of the machinery of the music industry.

Tonight LA is making a slow, but steady recovery. LA-based ska rockers the Slackers will be headlining the El Rey Theatre. LAist favorites the Monolators (LAist Review, #2) and Seasons are slated to perform at the American Legion Hall in Highland Park. And, lastly, Shiloe (LAist Review) will be rocking for free at Redwood Bar. But we suggest heading over to Club Nokia in Downtown to catch the principal architect of P-Funk, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.

Tonight LA has its fair share of NYE options. French Rumba Flamenca outfit the Gipsy Kings are slated to headline the newly renovated Conga Room (LAist Review). Long Beach-bred rapper Snoop Dogg is poised to flow at the House of Blues Sunset. Legendary alternative rockers Stone Temple Pilots will be performing at Club Nokia in Downtown. Showtune maestros Pink Martini are gearing up for two gigs, one early, one late, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Bob Marley's backing band the Wailers will be jamming at the Roxy. Santa Barbara-based folk rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket will be rocking out at the Canyon Club. Israeli trance outfit Infected Mushroom are set to headline the Hollywood Palladium. Little Radio will be throwing a NYE extravaganza at the Bank with Ariel Pink, Crystal Antlers, Restavrant and Port O'Brien. And, lastly, local indie rockers the Henry Clay People and the Happy Hollows will be coming through Spaceland. But from the bevy of options we strongly suggest heading over to the Echo to party with the Blood Arm. The rollicking quartet will surely kick the New Year off with a bang.

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. This year we asked some of the staffers what inspired them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Tonight is the calm before the NYE storm. French Rumba Flamenca outfit the Gipsy Kings are slated to headline the newly renovated Conga Room (LAist Review). Atlanta-based R&B singer-songwriter Akon will be performing at Club Nokia in Downtown. And speaking of Downtown, a slew of punk-inflected bands are poised to rock the Smell. But we strongly suggest that you head over to the Echoplex to catch local alt-rockers Dawes. Get there early and get in for free!

Tonight marks the final night of the ongoing free Monday Night Residencies. Silver Lake-based alternative rockers the Color Turning will be performing at the Silver Lake Lounge. The Manimal Vinyl Residency at the Echo is coming to a close with folk songstress Rio En Medio headlining the bill. And if you've got the scrilla, then we suggest heading over to Club Nokia to catch Robin Thicke belting out sensual R&B tunes. But we recommend planting your feet down at Spaceland, where fringe rockers the Movies (LAist Review, #2, #3) will be closing out their month-long residency. LAist's favorite alt-rockers Everest (LAist Review, #2), who just concluded a successful stint with Neil Young and Wilco, are slated to perform as well. It doesn't get any better than that!

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.

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.

Tonight LA's own all-girl rock troupe the Donnas (LAist Review, #2) will be performing at the House of Blues Sunset. The hole-and-corner Pehrspace is slated to play host to a Post Christmas Caroling Party. And, lastly, a bunch of rollicking noise-infused acts will be coming through the Smell, including locals Nephews and Knight Rider. We're fresh out of suggestions for tonight though!

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.