The Stray Birds, Anthony da Costa

After making several records without bringing in an outside producer, Americana trio the Stray Birds decided to recruit some heavy hitters for their 2016 album Magic Fire. The band enlisted two Grammy Award winners to helm the project: producer Larry Campbell and engineer Justin Guip, both of whom earned their honors for their work with the late Levon Helm during his final years. The Stray Birds’ songwriting is chock-full of forlorn melodies, accented by tight vocal harmonies and sassy fiddle. It’s simply brimming with Appalachian charm. Catch the Stray Birds on Wednesday, November 16, at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington. Anthony da Costa opens.