Describing the Bay Area’s Faun Fables as a duo is like calling the Sagrada Família a church. It’s accurate as far as it goes, but hardly captures the vast, fantastical realm lovingly constructed by front woman Dawn McCarthy, a regular collaborator with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and multi-instrumentalist Nils Frykdahl, who earned renown in the storied art rock bands Idiot Flesh and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Together they conjure a magical world defined by strange and disquieting tales of rugged housekeeping, street kids, sleepwalking and exiled travelers returning home. Inhabiting a crossroads where ancient balladry, art songs, physical theater and rock gleefully collide, Faun Fables’ adventures have been chronicled on six albums. Touring internationally, the duo delivers riveting live performances, whether or not puppets are involved.