The words “jangly” and “surf pop” are thrown around so much today, it can be difficult to tell one band from another. But California’s Ganglians do love tambourines and bells, so “jangly” is fairly literal. The band creates infectiously weird, haunting psychedelic folk rock, something like the soundtrack to a spaced-out desert trip. Ganglians’ first album, Monster Head Room, was released on the lo-fi tastemaker label Woodsist in 2009; in August, the group released Still Living, which showed the ensemble shedding messiness in favor of a tighter, ’80s indie-pop direction. Opening is Brooklyn buzz band Friends, which represents another indie-music trend made accessible by blogs: thumping, dancey tracks crafted by a group of buds who had no intention of starting a real band. Ganglians performs with Friends at 8:30 p.m. at Red Palace, 1212 H St. NE. $10. (202) 399-3201. (Emily Thompson)
MUSIC
Two picks from Arts Desk contributor Steve Kiviat:
Tinariwen‘s latest album features Peter Gabriel-esque guest vocals from TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, but tonight just expect their traditional desert nomad vocals and fuzzy guitar. With indie-pop act Architecture in Helsinki, Dom, Lo Fi Fnk, and Sophie Hunger at 9:30 Club at 6:45 p.m. $30.
D.C. homegirl Meshell Ndegeocello returns to town and appropriately heads to the Birchmere, where she’ll support her mellow yet soulful new album, Weather. 7:30 p.m. Sold out.
BOOKS
Ex-Daily Show executive producer David Javerbaum reads from his new “memoir” by “God,” The Last Testament. 7 p.m. at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. $10.
Steve Stoute discusses the selling of hip-hop culture at 6:30 p.m. at Busboys & Poets. Free.
THEATER