Echo Sounds' Holiday Gift Guide

Hollywood Bowl / Greek Theatre: We live in L.A., so let's take advantage of the weather. While they won't open their doors until next Spring, consider both the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre when looking for stocking stuffers. If you're looking to go big, think about gifting a season pass, or for the more finicky music lover create an IOU for a couple of concerts of the recipient's choice as soon as the 2012 calendars are released. Bonus: if you play your cards right they might just take you with them.

Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits' LA: Do you have a Tom Waits fanatic in your life? If so, look into this annual Esotouric tour. Billing itself as the "definitive tour of Tom Waits' formative creative life in Los Angeles, and the people, places and late night pastries that shaped it," the tour, dubbed "Crawling Down Cahuenga," sifts through the L.A. that colored much of Waits' early work. (See accompanying video.)

Morrison Hotel Gallery: Sure, the beloved gallery's Sunset Boulevard location has closed up shop--the NYC location is still going--but that doesn't mean you cannot peruse (and purchase) via the photo gallery online. The finest in "fine art, music photography." Rock and roll.

iPod Victrola: Alright, not to get all "steam punk" on you, but, c'mon, these are admittedly pretty cool. If your Bose dock system seems a little boring of late, and your'e looking to shake things up a bit around the house, check out these handmade, re-purposed, Magnavox Victrola horns that have been retro-fitted for your iPod or iPhone.

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Headphones: Are you listening to music on your computer right now while you read this? If you answered yes, do both your ears (and the musicians who crafted whatever you're digitally spinning) a favor and put on some headphones. I recommend these--the noise-isolating Bowers & Wilkins P5's. Not only do they sound great, but they are comfortable, which is not always the case with all models of high-end headphones.

/ /Amoeba Records: Yes, Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, etc. are easy and convenient, but they're ultimately unsatisfying compared to thrill of a great brick and mortar record store. Unlike many cities around the country Los Angeles is still home to a number of thriving stores. Let's keep it that way. Give the gift of music and pick up a gift certificate at any one of these fine establishments.