Expect inspiration, enlightenment and fuzzy hats from Byron Space Circus, a mind-bending fusion of danceable funk, acoustic oddities and Austin roots.

The Santa Cruz, Calif. band is making its way back to its hometown (at least for three of the members) Friday for a concert at the Paramount Theatre.

To fit this band into a specific genre is just not possible, said Chris Lynch, an Austin High School alumnus whose talents include keys, violin, mandolin and vocals. Lights, costumes and visuals stimulate the senses at Byron Space Circus shows.

“Ultimately, you have to come and find out for yourself,” said Lynch in a phone interview Wednesday. “Stay loose, have fun … we would like to hope people are open to kind of a fun experience, yet kind of transformational.

“(You will) come out feeling inspired and enlightened, yet bouncy,” he said.

Lynch, Jason “Paco” Felten (bass, upright, synthesizer and percussion) and guitarist Micah Ofstedahl started Byron Space Circus as a serious endeavor; however, the name came randomly.

The trio were living in a “bachelor” house on Byron Street in Mankato while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato. They were going to play an open mic night when they needed a name.

“It sort of stuck,” Lynch said.

“The word ‘space’ can mean a lot of things…” he mused. “We stay true to ‘space.’ ”

After moving between Minnesota and California, recruiting Chanda Cummings (drums and vocals), and finally landing in Santa Cruz, the Byron Space Circus became what it is today: “Rockers, I guess,” said Lynch, who studied violin at AHS and teaches lessons in California. “We like to kind of take you on a journey of different moods, really. From sunset to sunrise … I think the world is too diverse and beautiful in so many ways.

“I think it would be boring to be a band that just plays one genre,” he said.

Space Circus released its first full-length album, “Don’t Not Quit Stoppin,” in January, and also recently, an acoustic album, “The Wooden Eclipse;” both will be available at the Paramount show Friday night.

“It’s really promising and it’s great to see the Paramount Theatre bring great music into town,” Lynch said. “It’s fun to come back after so long.”

Lynch said this is the band’s first concert in Austin since they moved across the country and evolved from being a jam band to honing their talents and styles into a professional group that tours full-time.

“Austin has fostered a lot of great musicians,” said Lynch, who says he is “classically-trained” in music, but wanted to step outside the box while in high school.

“I think it is especially important as a musician to look inside and not always on a piece of paper,” he said.

As for the fuzzy hats?

You’ll have to show up and see for yourself.

Byron Space Circus plays at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $13.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/byronspacecircus.