Picastro

While maintaining their penchant for morosely rendered songs, there was a particular power to Picastro's performance. Maybe it was the fact that they were playing a party or perhaps it was the emotion-rich nostalgia of the night, but leader Liz Hysen was jovial in between songs and her great band (drummer Brandon Valdiva, cellist Nick Storring, and special guest/former member Evan Clarke sitting in on guitar) pushed the material for strong textures and unexpected flourishes. A heady mix of melancholy and whimsy that made for a captivating set.