There’s a certain light-heartedness to the experimental music of Brooklyn based indie-rockers The Roofer’s Union whose debut full-length album, ‘By Degrees,’ was released just last year. On the record, the group blends elements of psych-rock, surf rock, and, occasionally, hip-hop ("Godzilla Does Dallas") into 40 minutes of infectious indie rock that’s rife with sparkling synths, bright guitars, and eccentric lyrics. Their willingness to experiment with a variety of genre and instrumental combinations results in a unique sound and a solid debut that really sets them apart. "Man Kills God, Man Creates Dinosaur (streaming below)" is one of the stand-out tracks from the album, complete with catchy vocal and guitar melodies, synth hooks that fit just right, and a beat that’ll have you tapping your foot the whole way through. You can catch The Roofer’s Union on September 14 when they’ll be playing at Knitting Factory. Don’t miss out! – Patrick Wolff

Back in May, Brooklyn dream rock quartet Whitewash played several shows around the release of its latest album, ‘Shibboleth.’ Now, the NYU-formed band shares the deliriously amusing music video (streaming below) for the song “Member” off the release (their first studio LP). Playing like a buddy stoner comedy, the clip shows group members Evan Glazman and Aram Demirdjian being chased by security guards (played by bandmates Sam Thornton and Jonathan Ben-Menachem) around the city, photo-bombing a tourist’s picture, and then sitting down robot-like to a meal with their pursuers. Whitewash has several shows coming up: tomorrow (8.26) at Silent Barn with What Moon Things, Turnip King, The Due Diligence; Monday 8.31 at Trans Pecos via Summer’s End Fest with Friend Roulette, Altopalo, Human People, Old English System; Saturday 9.5 at Elvis Guesthouse via No Smoking Media with Raccoon Fighter, Shana Falana; and Tuesday 9.15 at Baby’s All Right via Popgun Presents with Diane Coffee and the Lemon Twigs. Whitewash will also play The Deli’s CMJ showcase on Thursday 10.15 at Muchmore’s. – Zach Weg

The newly formed Brooklyn band, Plain Dog, is getting in touch with garage rock’s surf-pop side. They just released their first EP at the beginning of August and opened for the LA garage punk band No Parents this past Friday night at Elvis Guesthouse. The EP (available online and on cassette) opens with the track "Really Wanna Dance" (streaming below),and that seems to be the attitude of the whole album. All five songs are so catchy and upbeat that you’ll really wanna dance to Plain Dog, too. – Sam O’Hara

NYC dream pop quartet ohnomoon’s video for “Low” (streaming below) is a trippy, visually playful yet somewhat foreboding voyage through psychedelic space. The track (off their ‘VVV’ EP) opens with haunting guitar dancing around a desert fire while a constant pop drumbeat thumps the ground underneath. Frontlady Kat Lee’s hushed vocals introduce an uncertain calm into the scene, offset by the ambiguous nature of her lyrics. The video itself, shot by the band and edited by Bill Shouldis and Grayson Earle, contrasts neon lettering and floral designs against a spacy black backdrop (although it was shot against the backdrop of a white wall in a basement—quite the editing job). Lee’s ghostly image flutters in and out of the dark scenery, instilling supernatural themes that transcend to the music. Ohnomoon plays Pianos on 9.05. –JP Basileo