Hello last-minute-shopping enthusiasts. Going around town yesterday felt like a New York rush hour. Did you all really need to hit the stores right as you got off work, and in the process, nearly hitting people like me? You got today and tomorrow there Turbo, watch for pedestrians or we'll play a game I like to call “Hit Me, I Sue.”

--- Coming up at the end of the year, the Downtown Alliance is throwing their big 3VE SLC celebration, which I know is being promoted everywhere and then some, but not much focus has been brought on the live acts. A mostly local listing that includes Atherton, Royal Bliss, Paul Jacobson & The Madison Arm, Future Of The Ghost, Double Or Nothing, Michael Gross & The Statuettes, Muscle Hawk, Tolchock Trio and Neon Trees (who we can only assume will show up for this one) just to name a few. The big price deal they have going on is $15 for all three nights at every venue spot, which isn't that bad considering you're getting a full lineup of bands every night along with other activities. Even if none of those things suit you, the music is worth it, and we'll leave it at that before I sound like a giant billboard ad.

Briefly looking over other material, not much else to chat about as people slow things down for the end of the year and become busy with other tasks. But if you're looking for last minute gifts for local music lovers, there have been a few CD releases this month I've forgotten to mention. Waltzing For Debbie and Killbot both put out albums last week, while this week you can check out release shows for both Birthquake at The Urban Lounge and Nick Neihart's solo release over at Bar Deluxe. While Killbot by far had the most hype around it this month, all four have shaped up to be pretty excellent releases. Check out their work and surprise someone this week.

As for the blog to finish out 2009, we'll have interviews from a show this past week, chat up a local distillery, talk about a localized documentary film, hit up a unique music label as well as a gig poster printer. And with any luck... a little something special if you pop by and read on the holiday. Not to mention a small milestone which we'll get into later, but things have already changed around this month so as always, we'll see what happens.