El Ten Eleven, Starcrawler, Pacific Records Fest, Auz Fontaine, Back to the Garden

The Casbah celebrates its 35th year with several showcase concerts this month, including El Ten Eleven, a mostly instrumental duo featuring two former members of Softlightes. The band plays post-rock, combining guitar/bass doubleneck or fretless bass with heavy looping and electronics. The Little Italy bill includes Optiganally Yours, fronted by Pea Hicks, who plays a kind of home organ made by the Optigan Corporation, a subsidiary of Mattel toys, in the early ‘70s.

Starcrawler at the Casbah January 5 & 6

The Casbah’s 35-year celebration continues with a two-night stand from L.A. five-piece Starcrawler. Frontwoman Arrow De Wilde is known for her explosive stage presence, which helped earn the band opening slots for Foo Fighters, Beck, and My Chemical Romance. The January 5 bill includes Pleasure Pill, while Sands will open on January 6.

Pacific Records Fest at Music Box January 7

Local label Pacific Records has been quietly building a local-centric stable of recording artists, covering several genres. The Pacific Records Fest is a multimedia event with live performances, video interludes, and MCs showcasing the label roster. Performers include Shane Hall, Skyler Lutes, Manual Scan (with guest Laurie Beebe Lewis), The Moonjacks, Kela Sako, Sandollar, Seawall Prophet, Slack Key Ohana, The Spice Pistols, Jonny Tarr, and The Tourmaliners.

Auz Fontaine at Soda Bar January 8

Auz Fontaine features producer Vic Fontaine and vocalist Captain Auzmo. The Soda Bar will host the band for a month-long City Heights residency, with the January 8 show also featuring Vitto & the Trees, Gone, and Scuffs. January 16 will include DP the Unknown, while January 22 features Kate Delos Santos and Lorna Dune.

Back to the Garden at the Belly Up January 10

Back to the Garden recreates the music of the Laurel Canyon folk rock era, featuring songs by the Byrds, the Doors, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Joni Mitchell, the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, the Eagles, and more, including music from concert films such as Woodstock and The Last Waltz. The bill includes Calman Hart (of Berkley Hart) and Chelsea Williams.