Here's the first High Five of 2010, as appears in the Entertainment Spokane weekly e-newsletter.

Brandi Carlile - It's a good sign when you can count Elton John among your most vocal fans. Not only has Sir Elton been singing praises of Brandi Carlile's genuine brand of alt-country-folk, he even makes a cameo on Carlile's new album, "Give Up the Ghost," along with Grammy Award-winning arranger composer Paul Buckmaster and Amy Ray of the the Indigo Girls. Carlile brings Katie Herzig for The Give Up the Ghost Traveling show at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, to The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Cost: $22 in advance, $23 day of show.

Reel Big Fish - Unabashedly mixing and matching various styles of rock with punk and ska, Reel Big Fish represents the third way of ska, still going strong with a new studio album of covers as well as a live album delivered in 2009. RBG also has plans to release a new album of original material. Catch Reel Big Fish with Suburban Legends and One Pin Short at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, at The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Cost: $17.50 in advance, $19 day of show.

DJ Supervillain - The Sunset Junction makes its resurgence into the scene with a special Som Show Presents open-turntable weekly, Whammy Wednesday, showcasing local wax wizards. Tonight's inaugural Whammy welcomes DJ Supervillain, spinning old school funk, soul, jazz and rare groove records, starting at 9 p.m. tonight, January 6, at The Sunset Junction, 1804 W. Sunset Blvd. Cost: Free.

O'Neill Family Showcase - Also at The Sunset, it's a family affair when several members of the O'Neill clan come together, including Annie O'Neill, Kevin Long, Brandon O'Neill, Curran Long and more. That's at 9 p.m. on Friday, January 8, at Sunset Junction, 1804 W. Sunset Blvd. Cost: $5.

Tash - One third of the former Likwit Crew, Tash has struck out on his own to favorable response from underground hip-hop critics. Following his feud with Xzibit, and subsequent breakup with the Alkaholiks, Tash is rumored to be working on a reunion album with the Liks, despite former sidekick J-Ro's relocation from California to Sweden. Get the goods when Tash lands with support from The Bayliens, X-Kid, League 510, Olu Ghost, Bela Union, Rod Mac and St. Cule at 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, at The Blvd., 230 W. Riverside Ave. Cost: $8; 21-and-older welcome.