NYE 2007/8 Final Draft

NYE is a holiday ripe for disappointment and bad feelings, trying to pick the "perfect" spot and get everyone to go and dealing with the bigger crowds and drunk a-holes. First, deep breath. I've tried to come up with an event for every city we consistently cover, with an emphasis on rad DJs and affordable prices. I'm gonna start close to my physical location and move West. Studio B has been my favorite venue in NYC this year, so it only makes to lead off with their NYE Party. It's a fucking doozy btw, check the line-up: my favorite band Kudu live, Slick Rick live, DJ sets by Moby, FUN's Eamon Harkin, The Bangers and best of all, Runaway and 205 Tuesday's Jacques Renault. Did I mention this one goes from 8pm-8am? Well, it does. The afterhours party starts at 4am and some DJ named Frankie Bones spins for the rest of the night. Frankie Bones! $20 advance tickets are available, $25 at the door with a flier, $30 without, $10 reduced admission if you arrive between 4 and 8 am. There's a vodka open bar from 8-10, alcohol until 8 am, dear G-d people, pace yourself here.

-Not too far away in Greenpoint, Myopenbar.com and Bass Ale are doing New Year's Eve with Yeasayer, a buzz band that killed at CMJ. There's also live sets by Shellshag and Shilpa Ray of Beat the Devil. But, dear readers, the real reason to go is for the DJs and dance party, as Pound for Pound favorite the Lewd DJs, a.k.a. rekLES and SeanMF'NRoberts, will spin, along with Michael Levitan. RSVP at the myopenbar.com site for $15 admission, then enjoy complimentary Bass Ale and vodka all night. Yes, you read that right, Bass Ale and vodka free all night. Doors at 10pm, 21+.



-Cross the imaginary border into Williamsburg and hit up the Hugs (108 N. 6th St.) NYE party to celebrate the end of the year/start of a new one and everyone's favorite new spot. This one features DJ sets from all over the world, as NYC's Sweatshop Labor, London's Kesh and LA's Boy Boy spin all night long. You can do this one all night for $80, which includes a 3-hour open bar from 11-2am, or hit it up late night for $10 and deal with a cash bar. Presented by new Williamsburg streetwear store Yune and NY Style Diary, this is a great option for anyone in my hood looking for something smaller and more intimate yet just as rad.



-There's also a bash at the Graffiti Warehouse (29 Wythe Ave@ N. 13th St) where Snapshot is doing a NYE party. I had to put this one up, as it's called Magic 8 Ball, a reference that is funny to me and like two other people. Anyway, this one's more for my gay readers, as the Tuesday night queer party at Bar 13 crosses the river to do a huge warehouse jawn. This one features Lesbians On Ecstasy live and Kim Ann Foxman spinning, a rad line-up, plus DJs Daryl Raymond, Noa D, Qui and Sophia H. $25 advanced tickets, $30 at the door, open bar from 9-10 pm.



-This is a good night to get as far away from the city as possible, so hop on the L to the Halsey stop and head to the Y2K8 Dance Party at the Silent Barn (915 Wyckoff Ave) This one looks damn good with live music all night from Lismore, Todosantos, Ninjasonik, Laini Li, Bradley D and Neon Coyote. Presented by Famous Friends and Big Stereo, this is an all-ages party for everyone. Only $5 cover, free Sparks all night, doors at 10 pm.



-You want a late-night? Wanna pretend you are in Berlin for a day or so? Hit up Galapagos (70 N. 6th St) tonight where The Bunker presents Blood and Thunder II. Berlin's Lee Curtiss, Spectral's Derek Plaslaiko, Dennis Rodgers, Spinoza, Taimur Agha and Naudio will bring you a night of techno and house, which should let you start 2008 in the right frame of mind. The party starts at 10 tonight and won't end until 4 pm tomorrow afternoon. Love it!

-I know it doesn't seem like it here, but there's more to Brooklyn than Williamsburg. Down South, The Rub does its annual NYE party at Southpaw (125 Fifth Ave) in Park Slope. There's not much for me to say about this one, legendary party, amazing DJs, loyal crowd that shows up each and every time, guaranteed great time. $40 ticket includes food and champagne, 21+.



-I can't really recommend doing it up in the city, as the thought of the gross crowds give me panic attacks even from the safety of my apartment. But, if you live there or plan to hang there tonight, here's a few options. I'd say two great bets for a great night with great music, hit up APT (419 W. 13th St.) for the New York City New Year's Eve party with Rong Music (Lee Douglas and DJ Spun), the Wurst Edits (My Cousin Roy) and DFA (Liv Spencer of Still Going) Expect lots of disco, funkm house, food, drinks and good people dancing and enjoying the start of another year. $100 for an open bar from 10-1am or $25 for general entry after 1am. A disco oasis in the midst of mediocrity.

-I'd also try to hit up 205 Club (205 Chrystie) for their NYE jawn, as Crashin'in presents The Return 12 Hour Party People. This one happens upstairs and downstairs, with live performaces by Purple Crush and ex-Anticon member Beans, plus DJ sets by Sune of the Raveonettes, Brodsinski in from Paris, Eamon Harkin doing double duty, Kanine Records' Oil, Other Music's Gerald, Elliot Golden and Sunnyside Up. The party starts at 8pm and won't end until the sun comes up at 8am. $20-30 cover, pretty damn great deal for a NYE party in Manhattan at one of my favorite spots.



-Not too far away, Gift Shop presents a NYE 2008 party at The Annex (152 Orchard St) where Spank Rock's XXXchange spins along with Lily Of The Valley and Pete Suzuki. One of everyone's favorite clubs with the big upstairs and crowded basement, this should be a good night for the indie and rock kids to dance away the night. Tickets are $35, which gets you an open bar from 9:30-10:30 and free admission to the afterparty at Lotus at 4am.

-Or further uptown, GBH gives you another option with a New Year's Eve 2008 party at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St) This one is for everyone who really loves the Thursday night Cheeky Bastard party and indie dance music. There's live shows by 33HZ and Young Love, plus DJ sets by VHS Or Beta and Alex English. $60 for the same deal as The Annex.



-Finally, Lit will be a good stop at some point, as the basement will be going all night. Dances With White Girls, Nate Turbow, Mark Ryan and Prince Terrence will give you house, indie, rap, hell, every genre will probably come up in this marathon party. Best of all, no cover, so you can save your money for getting drunk or buying food tomorrow or just being a little less poor.



-Ahh, Philly, a great night lies ahead. The Making Time NYE Freak-out party is now a tradition and it's as good as it gets. This is like the Making Time template, no special guests, just the regulars spinning - Dave P, Dave Pak and Mike Z in the main room, Rock Tits in the basement and Adam Sparkles, Pink Skull, JHN RDN and Broadzilla DJs upstairs.




-I'd also highly recommend this one at Medusa Lounge (27 S. 21 St), in fact, I would do this in a heartbeat. Family Affair: A Disco New Year's Eve features DJs Mike Tee, Billy W., Darklord and Meg E Mitch, with sound and visuals by Trixine. No cover, $2 Sparks from 10pm-12am, 21+. Listen, there's no better way to start this new year than with the magic sounds of disco ringing in your ears.



-Louisville makes it first appearance at the end of the year, better late than never. Not many better than Le Castle Vania, he's headling the Really Into Partying New Year's Eve at Fuzion Night Club (1335 Story Ave) $10 for 21+, $15 or 18+, dress in black and white, have fun.



-Chicago, why not have a Dubsided NYE? The UK label and Pottymouth are throwing a party at Smartbar (3730 N. Clark St) and it's a killer. Switch, Santiago, Justin Long and Justin Amato will spin all night, 'nuff said. It's only $35, 21+, a great night of music and dancing with some of dance music's finest.



-Or head to Darkroom for their New Year's Eve party, being put on by the Dark Wave Disco and The Beta Theta. All of the residnet DJs will be in the house - DWDers Trancid, Mark Gertiz and Greg Corner and Beta Thetas Tobias and Brock. $75 for premium open bar all night, doors at 9pm, goes until 2am, 21+.



-Here's a late addition up in Seattle, as Chapel (1600 Melrose Ave) and Colby B do a NYE 2008 party. DJs Colby B, Thrills, Marty Mar, Res, Rhett Elliot, Mitcho and Lady Bob will spin dance tunes through the wee hours into the morning. 5pm-8am, $15 at the door, happy hour 5-8pm, champagne specials all night.



-Big year for San Francisco, no surprise it's a big New Year's Eve too. The Blasthaus Golden New Year looks to be the pick of the litter, as Miss Kittin is the headline DJ and that's a rad choice. The electro goddess is joined by Junior Boys' DJ Nikola Baytala, Lights Down Low's Sleazemore, Kontrol's Alland Byallo, Night Class' Shane King and Solar. This one goes forever, 8pm-4am, 21+.



-I you want something a little more indie, head to Mezzanine (444 Jessie St) for Disco 2008. This one's got live performances by Black Audio, Moving Units and Katy Perry, a DJ set by Pound for Pound favorite Junior Boys, plus the Popscene DJs, Omar, Aaron and Nako. $60 advanced tix available until 6pm, $70 at the door, $100 VIP as well. Doors at 8pm, party til 3am, Peroni Beer open bar from 8-9pm.



-Finally, if you want to go crazy and freak out in a smaller space, the Frisco Disco has you covered. Richie Panic and Jeffrey Paradise will take over The Transfer (Church & Market) and turn it into a din of iniquity. Hell, they do that every Saturday, so picture those parties turned up to 11. Hot Tub plays live, 9-2, 21+.



-Across the bridge in Oakland, it's Party Time at Oasis (135 12th St), as Smartbeat do their dub disco party for NYE. This one's extra cool, as Brennan Green of Chinatown Records is special guest, one of the best DJs and producers out there. Ben Cook, Dubrocker, Rebecca Watkins, Ry, Dmtz, Prana and Mike C. also will spin, it's a long, wonderful night of disco, 9-4am.



-Two massive parties in LA. First up, Nitrus, Tik Tok, Dim Mak and Modular are putting on the 1st Annual HARD New Year's Eve Music Festival at a huge warehouse space downtown, Premiere Arts Center (613 Imperial St) Check the line-up, then pick your jaw back up - Justice, Peaches and 2 Live fucking Crew, plus Busy P, Steve Aoki, Whitey, A-Trak, Uberzone and Jason Bentley. There's also a who's who of local stars, from The Cobra Snake to Gina Turner and Louisahhh. Things kick off at 8pm and go til 4am, $75 tickets, 21+.



-Or there's Giant Maximus, which is just insane. There's 3 stages, huge superstar DJs, all under 3 big tops outdoors. I want to focus on the



-I'm out of words. I Love Neon. I love Guns'n'Bombs, Drop The Lime/Curses!, Crystal Castles live, Jokers of the Scene, Jordan Dare, Thomas Von Party, Nu Ravers On The Block and Peer Pressure DJs. I love Montreal. I love my roomate who is at this. SAT (1195 St. Laurent) $55 at the door, fall in love tonight.

Benga - Night

Benga & Coki, "Night" (YSI link)

Benga, "Drumz West" (YSI link)

Here's a rare late-night weekend post, have been meaning to post these songs up for minute. Anyway, 2007 was a big year for dubstep, as it has gotten more exposure and more diversity, spreading further and further from its UK roots.

Benga has been around since the earliest days, has put out some big tracks on all of the key labels (Big Apple, Tempa, Planet Mu) However, none has been as big as "Night," his collaboration with Coki of the Digital Mystikz. Many consider it to be the track of the year; I'm not in a position to say that, but I can say it's a monster.

Live Forever PHILA, Restless Leg Syndrome PHILA, Life During Wartime CHI and more

Okay, this is the last regular party post of 2007. I am going to try to put together as comprehensive a NYE guide as possible tomorrow, so please email me or get at me on myspace (better option) and let me know what's good. I'm psyched to lead off with Philly for the last post, you can take the boy out of Philly, but you can't take the Philly out of the boy, yamean? Sometimes I dream of living forever, but then I imagine myself being 600 years old and still being neurotic, trying to find my self and being the unmarried friend for like 575 years and I realize that's a stupid idea. Instead, this new party called Live Forever at The Barbary (951 Frankford & Delware Ave) is a much better look. JHN RDN and Designer Drugs will spin, some of the best DJs anywhere spinning the nastiest electro and house and indie. Todosantos from Flamin' Hotz and Venezuela will perform live, Club Lifestyle will host. Philly, this is gonna be your new favorite party. $5, 21+.

-Speaking of favorite parties, Restless Leg Syndrome should be one already. Residents Dave T and Ryan Nation throw this monthy at The Khyber (52 S. 2nd St) and it's dedicated to all that is good in the world, i.e. dance music. Best of all, they don't only play dance music from 2007, no this one will cover everything from early Detroit techno to Italo disco to rave to new rave. Tonight, they've got guest DJ Billy W from Robotique. Your face will melt tonight, get behind this one Philly. No cover, 21+.



-Back in New York, lots going on. First, I want to mention this GZA show at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St.) not just because it's a chance to hear the Wu Tang mastermind do his thing, but also because Pound for Pound favorite Rezound will spin tonight. The dude's been doing his thing every other Wednesday at Happy Ending and guesting around town, good to see him finally get to a big stage. Some other favorites are also spinning, Nick Catchdubs of Fool's Gold and Sports, the Nick Hook-Daryl Palumbo duo. Presented by Metromix and GBH, hosted by Heathcliff, $20 tickets at the door. Doors at 10pm, 21+.



-However, Brooklyn runs it tonight, specifically my home, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. First up, RE:UP magazine and Diplo's Mad Decent are throwing a party called Cameras On Shirts Off. It's jam-packed with DJ talent, Blaqstarr, Egg Foo Young, Star Eyes, Sujinho and more, should be a great night of Bmore club, baile funk, rap, bass, the works. Best of all, it's at Glasslands (289 Kent Ave btwn S. 1st and 2nd), a raw space that really think can be amazing spot. $5, 21+, 10pm-late.

-You should also stop by Hugs (108 N. 6th St) for the DJ NIBC's BDay Bash, a special Swedish massage party. This one's got DJ NIBC, the Sweatshop Labor, Krames from Cobra Kai, Leif and Scottie B, I'm picturing a night of universal health care, paid maternity leaves, Volvos, beautiful blond people and dancing, lots of dancing. No cover, 21+.



-I mentioned the new Larry Tee party Dizzy at Galapagos (70 N. 6th St) last Saturday, this looks like the week to check it out. The electroclash don is joined by JD Samson from Le Tigre and Denny Le Nimh from Ruff Club, plus the other resident Kevin Graves, for a rad dance party. There's also live performances by Bad Brilliance and Malcolm Stuart, sounds like a great night. $5 or RSVP at their myspace page for free admission. I mean, Larry Tee, definite stop tonight.



-Down in Atlanta, Top FLR presents Last Year's Party at the 5 Spot (1123 Euclid Ave) Le Castle Vania, Jazspa, Chris Grass, Drew Van Atten, Chuck Chillout will spin filthy dance music, various local artist will show their work. This is a great way to end the year in style, before the ridiculousness of the actual last night of the year.



-G-d, it makes me so happy to be able to mention the Life During Wartime party in Chicago in this last post of the year. One of my favorites, the first party that introduced me to the great Chicago party world, head to The Hideout for Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard's rad party. They're bringing JK2 from Flosstradamus back to the party that he broke in with, along with Apetka for the End of the World edition. If the world has to end, this is a good way to go out. Yeah!



-White Collar

Lights Down Low SF, Made You Look LA, Ruff Club NYC and more

As I look back on this year, one other city has impressed me quite a bit with their DJs, parties and community. As I begin to think about moving and schools, San Francisco seems to have something special. The Lights Down Low party at 222 Club (222 Hyde and Turk) exemplifies all of that radness, and they are doing their final one of the year and it's a big one. They have Felix Cartel as the special guest DJ tonight, a dude who has gotten love from all of the big names in the electrorock scene. He's making his first US appearance tonight, San Fran, so make him feel welcome. You also get DJ Hyphy Crunk from LA and DJ Forever 21, plus resident DJ and LDL mastermind, Sleazemore. Hosted by Jen-Elle, photos by Spencer Day, dancing and debauchery by you. I cannot find the price, but whatever it is, it's worth it.

-Down in Santa Cruz, Orthodox brings you Made You Look Fridays at Detroit Bar (834 W. 19th St) This is a big one, as Dim Mak's Steve Aoki headlines, guaranteeing lots of great indie and dance music, plus some antics from Mr. Aoki. Mr. White and Devyn C join him in the main room, while DJ Cory, DJ Legit, DJ TJ and GMO get Room 2. Of course, the hardest working woman in show business, Shadowscene, will be there taking pics. RSVP to MYLFridays@gmail.com for reduced list, $15 advance



-All the way back on the East Coast, it's time to finally give some attention to the Ruff Club party at The Annex (152 Orchard St) Spencer Product and Denny Le Nimh have been doing this thing forever it seems like, giving the kids a place to hear great dance music and to go crazy. This is a good one to check out if you haven't already, as Throne Of Blood's Dances With White Girls headlines upstairs. I have an inside source on this, but let me just tell you that 2008 is going to be a big year for DWWG. The resident DJs will be in the house as well, holding it down upstairs and downstairs.



-If the LES isn't in the cards, do it up big in the Meatpacking District tonight at Lotus (409 W. 14th St) Upstairs, it's Top Billin', where DJ Eleven of The Rub and J-Boogie are top billing. Seriously, San Fran's J-Boogie is a huge talent, releases on Om Records and Ubiquity, Expect a really great night of music , covering all sorts of genres from hip-hop to dub and reggae to downtempo. RSVP to topbillinfridays@gmail.com for no cover, 21+.



-Downstairs, Tatler presents Night Of A Thousand Gays...Or At Least 10. I almost feel like that party name should be the whole preview, but I must mention that the DJs for this one are top-notch. They're called the Ladies Of Lilac, i.e. Kim Ann Foxman of DFA's Hercules and Love Affair, Dirty Jean of Crucial Get Down & Girls Girls Girls and DJ Fucci of Love Muscle & Girls Girls Girls. They will be spinning "super disco, electro boogie, left-field Italo and classic house." They have previewed the next year of Pound for Pound. They will make your Friday night fun. RSVP to tatler@lotusnewyork.com for $10 admission, $20 otherwise, doors at 11pm, 21+.



-I am writing this right before I go to American Apparel to buy a sweatshirt. Fate? Maybe. Potential sponsor of Pound for Pound? Should be. Anyway, do not look at the flier, I did and can no longer see. Just trust me on this one, it's the American Apparel Pajama Party at Hugs (108 N. 6th St), WestPain, DJ Milk Money and Merkin Muffley spin. Info is a bit scarce on this one, but it's a great chance to check out one of my fav new spots and to wear pajamas or underwear to a bar. $5 PBR and whiskey shot for anyone who does, so you can be drunk and cozy and ready to hop in bed at a moment's notice.



-Down in Philly, it's a good night to get into rap, as Beat Garden and Publicans present Money Folders, the yadibox.com mixtape release party. I'm not gonna lie, I don't know much about this one, but I do know that the Philadelphyinz will wreck shit and that's good enough for me. Next Millen will also perform, plus a ton more rappers will make appearances. This should be a good night at The Arts Garage (1535 Ridge Ave), a chance to see the up and coming stars of the hip-hop scene. $10, women get in free before 10:30, 18+, BYOB, 10-3am.



-For something more grimy in Philly, get to the Khyber (56 S. 2nd St) and head upstairs for The Straight Dope. This is the monthly Seclusiasis jump-off, tonight label members dev79 and Generic Man are joined by Miami's Meddafore for a big kickoff to the big weekend. Expect a ton of bass, rap, dancehall and electro, heavy yet dancefloor friendly. No cover, $1 PBRs and High Lifes until 11, 21+.

Soulwax - Most Of The Remixes We've Made For Other People...

Justice, "Phantom Pt. II (Soulwax remix)" (YSI link)

DJ Shadow, "Six Days (Soulwax remix)" (YSI link)

Arthur Argent, "Hold Your Head Up (Soulwhacked mix)" (YSI link)

It's the time of year when everyone starts looking back, compiling their best-of lists and whatnot. It's the perfect time to look at one of the best releases of this year, which looks back at the past decade of remixes from the seminal dance combo Soulwax. If you read this blog or care about electronic music, you already know about Soulwax. For those that don't, Soulwax is a Belgium music conglomerate run by the Dewaele brothers, Stephen and David. Under that moniker, they've made original studio music, play live around the world and remix other artists. They DJ as 2ManyDJs, world famous for their sets and How To Kill The DJ mixes. All of our favorites today, from Justice to Simian Mobile Disco to Digitalism, are in debt to these guys.

To celebrate a documentary called Part Of The Weekend Never Dies, which chronicled Radio Soulwax, Parlophone and Soulwax have compiled (almost) all of the remixes the guys have done over the past 10 years, from their 1997 Lords of Acid one to this year's Justice and Klaxons. I tried to give a good sampling above, covering the different ground that the guys have in terms of remix projects, including my favorite remix on the CD, the Soulwax remix of DJ Shadow's "Six Days." I left out the Daft Punk, Kylie Minogue, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons and more, just to give you a sense of how stacked this compilation is. I did want to pay special attention to the Soulwhacked mix of Arthur Argent's "Hold Your Head Up," which was completely new to me. This one is sick, sick, sick; it's start off slow and relaxed, as instruments get added to the mix. Then, an awesome robotic voice comes in repeating the lyrics, Slowly but surely, a nasty bass comes in and the rocking drums rock harder and you get just a great tune. P.S. Pay special attention to the lyrics, my friends: "When it's love that brings you down, don't ever let them know. However hard they hurt you, don't ever let them know. Hold your head up."

Oh, and for the record, here's the full title of the album:

Most of the Remixes We've Made Over the Years Except for One by Einsturzende Neubaten Because We Lost it and a Few We Didn't Think Sounded Good Enough or Just Didn't Fit In But Including Some That are Hard to Find Because Either People Forgot About Them Or Just Simply Because They Haven't Been Released Yet. A Few We Really Love. One We Think is Just OK. Some We Did For Free. Some We Did For Money. Some Just For Ourselves Without Permission and Some For Friends as Swaps But Never On Time and Always At Our Studio In Ghent.

Clearly, this one gets our highest recommendation. It's just an amazing package for fans and DJs alike, 2 discs of pure bliss, Disc 2 features a mix by 2ManyDJs that takes you on a journey through the remix catalogue. This one is not easy to find for some reason, but HMV has it at a great price.

Debonair Thursdays 1 Year Anniversary CHI, Unstoppable Perfect NYC, Club Pop SEATTLE and more

As the year comes to an end, I've been trying to think happy thoughts and look back at some of the great developments at Pound for Pound. One of the first that comes to mind is connecting to the Chicago scene, as I've been amazed and impressed at how great and creative and tight-knit a scene exists there. The Dark Wave Disco crew is a great example of all that is good out there. Tonight their weekly Debonair Thursdays party at the Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave) celebrates its first anniversary. Mazel tov to residents DJs Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner on putting together a successful weekly party dedicated to great electronic and dance music, a yeoman's task. Head there tonight to celebrate the anniversary and the holidays with what looks to be a great party - Effen vodka open bar from 9-11, free haircuts and product giveaways from local salon Art + Science, ticket giveaways to the next DWD with The Teenagers, plus the residents spinning all night. No cover, 21+, look forward to mentioning this in 2008.

-Another personal favorite goes down in NYC, the monthly Unstoppable Perfect party at Happy Ending (302 Broome St). DJs rekLES and SeanMF'NRoberts and hosts Julius O and Antwan of Ithinkyoureswell.com have put together one of the best parties in the city, period. Great music, from the newest electroindie shit to 80s to post-punk to house, a great crowd that actually dances (yes, dances in NYC), girls, no cover, drink specials. In other words, they get a check on all of the boxes for a great party. Tonight, there's no rekLES unfortunately, but DJ Vikas will fill his shoes for the night. There's also a Bass Ale open bar from 12-1am, no cover, 21+.



-Another more recent addition has quickly become a favorite as well, as the Art After Midnight party gives you a little art with your music, drinking and dancing. Chris Alker and Sushi Steve are the residents, tonight they are joined by Marc-Alan Grey of Le Changez Beat and Robot Rck and M68 for a night of indie and indie dance in a cool new spot, Gallery Bar (120 Orchard St) No cover, 21+, things start at 10pm.



-Ahh, speaking of old favorites, the Common Folk should be familiar to readers. This Sweatshop Labor affair



-If you are further uptown (and yes, 16th St. is uptown) and want something a little bigger, Cheeky Bastard has Kitsune's Guns 'n' Bombs as the special guest DJs tonight at Hiro Ballroom (371 W. 16th St) The LA duo have had a big year with remixes and original tunes, getting to the front of the electrock crowd. Catch their DJ set tonight at one of the best and most consistent parties in the city. Lucky Beer open bar from 10-11pm, 2 for 1 vodka drinks from 2-3, $4 Sparks all night. RSVP at the going.com site to get in for free, 21+, doors at 10pm.



-I always feel like I am missing out on a ton of cool events in Seattle, hopefully I can get rid of that feeling in the new year. In the meantime, Club Pop pops off tonight at Chop Suey (1325 E. Madison) with their annual Christmas party. This one features live music by Holy Ghost Revival, The Pharmacy and Emeralds, plus resident DJs Colby B and Glitterpants will bring the dance party late. $8 before 11, $10 after, 18+, a great night of rock and dance.



-Finally, Mark Rodriguez has decided to beat the NYE party crunch by throwing a Pre-New Year's Eve edition of the Heist party at The Airliner (2419 N. Broadway). It definitely has the size and scope of the year-end ones, three rooms, two bars, Trey D of So Sweet Records, DJ Score and Disk Jo Slim spin in the main room, Jimmy Boy has the second floor and Bulimiatron and Dmndays have the lounge. Unlike NYE, you can get in for $5 before 11 if you RSVP at the going.com site. $10 otherwise, doors at 9pm.