Wow, there’s always good food to be had in downtown Palo Alto, but is there always good music? Last night, there was a feast of sounds. Scott and I got out into it early and stayed late.

Songwriter/Artist David Luning opened the United Nations Associations 12th Annual Film Festival “busking” at the Aquarius Theater. He appeared by arrangement with West Coast Songwriters. (If you need music for your event, call them first!) He sang his usual fare of folksy-blues and gave us a new one last night. David was our guest on American Songwriter a few weeks back and his “episode” is now playing on Comcast Channel 27 in the Midpeninsula. Click here for show times! You can also catch the show on out blip.tv channel.

We ran over to Junoon to the kick-off reception for UNAFF, and there was multi-instrumentalist Jesse Norfleet playing the drums in a trio performing standards from the Jazz repetoire. Jesse is a gifted musician and a gifted television producer and director as well. He was formerly the programming manager at the Media Center. Now in addition to managing, booking and performing in bands, Jesse works with teens getting them ready for college at College Track.

So then we ran back to catch the last few moments of David’s gig. And then we were over to Jungle Copy on High Street. The heppest copy shop around. They host regular open mics and if you organize yourself a show you can book it there. Per Se’s Emily Gibbons opened with a lovely acoustic set of her originals. Joining her on harmony was Nick Giordano of Picture Atlantic. Unfortunately we missed indie screamo band The Bridge who were up next because we wanted to meet Joanie and Ian Crombie of WCS and Allison and John Williams also of WCS (Ali was working publicity for UNAFF and her husband was snapping the pictures at the Aquarius) at the Rose and Crown for a quick one. After downing some Welsh Rabbit and a Murphy’s we rushed back to Jungle Copy and caught emerging band Playground Adventure. They were pretty good. It was their second gig. I think I caught some interesting lyrics. Their songs to me sounded a bit similar which was okay since it was basically a very cool sound, rich, lush and loud. In the future, I’ll be looking for the way they use their signature sound and branch out and build on that.

Next up was the surprise of the night (for me). For those who are already familiar with the band Sister Crayon, they may have been surprised in a negative way. Lead vocals Terra Lopez’s mic cut out every time the keyboards kicked in. She ended up running her mic through a guitar amp and carried on. I think they were disappointed with the sound, but I wasn’t since I hadn’t heard them before. So Terra adjusts her own voice in real time through some effects processing. They’ve got a sensitive keyboardist Genaro with a stack of synths, and a solid drummer, Nicholas who looked like he was beating his drumkit to a pulp. Dani, the fourth member plays a drum pad and a Korg Synth, creating smooth back-up harmonies and counterpoints. A highly processed sound in clean real time. Startling and fresh. So I’ll be watching Sister Crayon you bet.

And next up, what can I say, Picture Atlantic just delivers – even when Ryan had to bail due to illness for part of a song, and I found out from Patrick that they are all battling the crud. So they delivered a great set, despite illness. They added a new guitarist since they were on American Songwriter last Spring. Grant is a fairly energetic fellow who is able to play his part in a variety of poses, including with his back to the floor. Lead singer Nick’s energetic elasticity is organic. His naturalism just reels you in. I can’t say enough about these guys. Nick’s incredible range and beautiful sustained false setto is amazing. And he is still creating strong original music which the band delivers in tight ethereal rock – if that isn’t an oxymoron. By the way, the band recently lost their euphonium which I totally miss. So if you know someone who’s got one of these old school instruments lying around in their attic, have them contact Brian. He’d love to have it.