Joshua Pressman

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.

As we approach Christmastime the generally vast pool of shows shrinks to nothing. Tonight Mike Stinson will headline the Redwood Bar & Grill with a few other country troubadours. And Japanese singer-songwriter Ed Masuga is slated to perform at the Silver Lake Lounge. But—unless you're frantically wrapping presents still—we strongly suggest checking into the Hyperion Tavern to see Oakland's own alt-rockers the Blank Tapes.

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 is filled to the brim with free residencies. We've got the Manimal Vinyl Residency at the Echo with Polyamorous Affair as headliners. Silver Lake-based alternative rockers The Color Turning will trek on at the Silver Lake Lounge with the Capshuns. And, lastly, Sean Carnage is throwing Crunk On Christ Party at the hole-and-corner Pehrspace, which is generally free as well. But we strongly recommend plopping down at Spaceland to catch LAist favorites the Movies (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4), who will be tearing down the house with exuberant high kicks. Local indie rockers Voxhaul Broadcast is slated to open the show.

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 New Orleans-based rapper Lil' Wayne is slated to headline the Gibson Amphitheatre. LA's own electronic genius Daedelus will be headlining the Echoplex and will be accompanied by Busdriver, the Mae Shi, Rumspringa and the Entrance Band. And although that stellar bill is all too enticing, we strongly recommend stopping by the Hotel Café for Buddyhead's Christmas Party. A trough full of celebrated local musicians, like QOTSA front man Josh Homme, Dead Meadow front man Jason Simon, Xu Xu Fang (LAist Review, #2, #3) and LAist favorites Dios (Malos) (LAist Interview), will preside over the unruly procession.

Tonight Latin/hip-hop outfit Ozomatli will be concluding a three-night stint at the House of Blues Sunset. Legendary punk rock outfit X are slated to headline Club Nokia. Hepcat will be asserting that ska is still in season at the El Rey Theatre. And, lastly, LAist favorites Whispertown 2000 (LAist Interview, Review, #2) are putting on a holiday extravaganza at Relax Bar. But we strongly suggest that you head over to the Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge. Okkervil River (LAist Review) front man Will Sheff will be performing with Swedish folk rocker the Tallest Man on Earth. If you caught wind of that egregious error within the last two hours, we are terribly sorry. The Buddyhead Christmas Party will take place tomorrow night!

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.