The local experimental rock outfit Hypatia Lake is somewhat similar to the Flaming Lips and the Black Heart Procession in terms of grandiose, ultradramatic hits of sound. It all seems to take place in a swirling, psychedelic dream space interspersed with the occasional yowling vocal or soft acoustic guitar – a sound unique enough to catch the attention of local producer Scott Colburn, who’s worked with the likes of Animal Collective and the Arcade Fire. And while they are a concept group revolving around a fictitious town of the same name, where cowboys and candy workers run amok, Hypatia Lake’s bombastic sound takes us to a different fantasy land – it should have been commissioned for the soundtrack to Avatar. Reverbing electric guitars and bizarre sound samples? Echoing vocals and long stretches of kaleidoscopic instrumental breaks? All while watching the Marines bulldoze and firebomb those creepy blue people? James Cameron would eat that shit up. ERIN K. THOMPSON

Sat., Feb. 27, 8 p.m., 2010