This Sunday, January 10th, The Smell is hosting a benefit show to raise money for Elizabeth Alvarado, the wife of Sean Pineda, a beloved Los Angeles musician who passed away in a car accident on December 5th. Sean performed solo as S. Pineda and with his wife in a band called ALONE. More than twelve acts are performing to show their support, including Inner Ecstasy, Voice on Tape, and Nima Kazerouni of So Many Wizards. 100% of the proceeds are going to cover the medical bills of Elizabeth, who was also in the accident. The supportive spirit of LA's close-knit musical community is something very special, and it's telling that it weathers through the tragedies, just as much as the good times. Come out to celebrate the life of one of our own who will be dearly missed - it starts at 8 PM sharp, and may sell out. - Brittany Scheffler

Musicans have always strived to capture the primacy of human experience — some using tried and true approaches while others play with the strange and eccentric. But for the chamber group Inner Ecstasy, communicating felt truths often involves balancing the classical with the experimental, harnessing the provocative spirits of music's golden age and its avant-garde. Isaac Takeuchi, Vicki Scotto, and brothers Steve and Gabriel Armenta pull from influences spanning centuries apart — from Johann Sebastian Bach and Philip Glass to The Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth — wielding the harmonious and the dissonant to chronicle the voyage of raw emotion.

After a first show at the inaugural LAB•FEST in 2013, Inner Ecstasy signed to DIY label Noise Met Sound, where they released their first EP and went on to play with acts like Liphemra and Bür Gür. The group has been strong advocates of the DIY music/arts community, supporting venues like the LA Fort and LAST Projects in the past years.

Inner Ecstasy plays an all-ages show tomorrow at the Ave. 50 Studio in Highland Park with Sean Pineda, Voice on Tape, Austin's dream pop noir duo Technicolor Hearts, and Los Angeles post-rock Young Lovers. Listen to the haunting "Ascension" below and come to the show tomorrow; doors open at 6 PM. - Ryan Mo

If you’re looking for an all-day, all-out, end of the year party showcasing every local band worth your time, money and sweat, then get tickets now for the First Annual XMAS FEST presented by underStory and Galaga 2331 at The Echo Country Outpost. With a full 12 hours of live music on 2 stages, catering by Lot 1 Cafe, Go Go Dancers, and a chance to snap a photo on Santa’s lap, this is also a fundraiser for the LA Mission and Toys for Tots. The lineup features an exhaustive list of local favorites including, Races, Gothic Tropic, Raw Geronimo, LA Font, Nick Diamonds, Tommy Santee Klaws, Voice on Tape, Tes Elations, Criminal Hygiene and The Janks. Check out the Facebook event for set times, and instructions on how to buy pre-sale tickets.While you're at it, check out our playlist filled with the best songs from some of the bands on the lineup. - Jacqueline Caruso