Picked By: Kristina Villarini

Who: Cliffie Swan (formerly Lights), Pablo Picasso and Teen

Where: Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY

When: Tuesday, December 7 at 9 p.m.

Cost: $10

Age Restrictions: 21+

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Picked By: Jesse Diener-Bennett

Who: Nigel Hall w/ Soulive and friends.

Where: Brooklyn Bowl in New York, NY

When: Wednesday, December 8 at 11 p.m.

Cost: $5 suggested donation (all proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity)

Age Restrictions: 21+

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Picked By: Claire Gallagher

Who: The Dandy Warhols

Where: Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, NV

When: Wednesday, December 8 at 9 p.m.

Cost: $15

Age Restrictions: 18+

Who: Passion Pit with Mister Heavenly, Pepper Rabbit, and We Barbarian

Where: Granada Theater in Santa Barbara, CA

When: Wednesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $30-$32.50

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Kelly Montgomery

Who: Broken Bells

Where: The Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR

When: Thursday, December 9 at 8 p.m.

Cost: $32

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Laurel Johnston

This Thursday December 9th, the Brooklyn Bowl will be home to one of the freshest indie pop bands to come out of New York City. They’re called Via Audio, and they are just as incredible live as they are on their brilliant sophomore album Animalore (now available on iTunes). I saw them last March, and I immediately went out the next day and bought the album. An impulse album purchase is hardly a rarity for me, but an impulse purchase of a brand new band I’ve only ever seen once is quite unusual. But luckily, Via Audio didn’t disappoint: their eclectic blend of everything from pop to funk to soul keeps your ears glued to the speakers, waiting to hear what they’ll come up with next. What’s really special about the band is that they can wear every style with the ease and grace of bands that have been trying to perfect them for years, shedding genres and personas both between songs and within them. Perhaps more importantly, their stage show is a fantastic blend of frenetic energy and musical prowess. Via Audio has toured in support of Spoon, and drummer Jim Eno has been a frequent collaborator and producer of the group. Recently, their song ‘Babies’ was nominated for ‘Best Song of 2010‘ by BestNewBands.com, and you can still vote for your favorite tracks until December 15th. If you’re in Brooklyn next week, don’t miss some of the brightest stars in the indie universe. The doors open at 6, and the show begins at 8. You must be 21 years of age and older to enter, and tickets are $5. Pre-sale tickets are now available on the Brooklyn Bowl website.

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Picked By: Sherene Hilal

Who: Atomic Tom

Where: The Mercury Lounge in New York, NY

When: Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $10

Age Restrictions: 21+

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Picked By: Liz Livengood

Who: Cake

Where: The Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR

When: Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m.

Cost: Sold Out

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Cervante Pope

Who: People Under the Stairs

Where: El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, Ca

When: Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m.

Cost: $19

Age Restrictions: All Ages