Cryptacize, a trio out of the Oakland, Calif. area, rolls into town this Sunday (March 30) for a show that should be interesting and unpredictable at the very least.

Their dramatic, sometimes dream-like sound is inspired by, among other things, “West Side Story, the guitar gospel of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and The Wizard of Oz’s bittersweet escapism.”

Nedelle Torrisi’s dazzling voice is one reason to check this band out. While singing, she also somehow juggles autoharp, strings, guitar and more.

The group’s debut, “Dig That Treasure,” was released last month on the Asthmatic Kitty label.

I caught up with percussionist Michael Carreira, who, according to the band, was acquired via YouTube.
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RC: How did you become interested in show tunes and theatrics?

MC: Nedell grew up on show tunes, opera also. Has also has some formal training in singing. Chris was always a fan and our songs are kind of influenced by musicals. I’m not that into musicals myself, but they’ve been working on me little by little over the past year and have turned me on to some decent stuff. Before joining Cryptacize, I was working on some experimental and traditional Brazilian music in a big group. We’d play samba at events.

RC: What can people expect from your live show?

MC: We are a trio with a real transparent sound — almost like chamber music. We all have pretty set parts, but a lot of nuances and changes. It varies widely from night to night. We share the singing parts and there are two guitars, drums and an autoharp.

Cryptacize with Citay, Jumbling Towers and Thankful Tree

Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center, Sunday, 8 pm, $5

Note: No Booze, No Drugs, No Jerks (according to their website)

http://www.myspace.com/cryptacize

http://www.lemp-arts.org