Praised by NPR as “one of the finest young bands on the folk circuit,” Pennsylvania acoustic trio The Stray Birds will bring their rootsy sound to Livonia on Friday, April 12 for a show at the Trinity House Theatre. The April 12 show is part of a packed U.S. album release tour. With a debut album that landed on NPR’s top ten Folk/Americana albums of 2012 list and a buzzed about young folk sound, The Stray Birds bring a fresh talent to the acoustic folk scene. And with strong songwriting, energetic instrumentals and rich three-part harmonies, they have gained critical acclaim and a growing fan base while touring the country.
Maya de Vitry, Oliver Craven and Charles Muench grew up with several miles of Pennsylvania farmland between them, and all three were raised on music. The trio describes their music as “a sound drawn from the richness of American folk music traditions spun with a stirring subtlety and grace. From bustling street corners to silent halls, their performances speak to an uncompromising reverence for songs.” The band’s self-titled debut album depicts the work of thoughtful songwriters and serious musicians, merging traditional elements with original storytelling.
Recently, we were able to catch up with Oliver Craven for a phone interview while The Stray Birds had a brief window of down-time during their whirlwind trek out west. Here’s what he had to say:
So, you guys are in Omaha. Are you getting ready for a show tonight?
No, we’ve been up for 24 hours. We’re in Omaha overnight and driving to Colorado in the morning. We’ve been going all over promoting our album.
What’s been one of your favorite stops so far?
We actually really like Ann Arbor. We were there recently playing Johnny’s Speakeasy. We love Michigan.
I know you all grew up in musical families. How did that influence The Stray Birds’ sound?
I grew up playing in the Craven Family Band – mostly fiddle – and we were an acoustic folk trio, so that’s been a big influence of course. And then I have other influences that are barely even musical.
You and Maya [de Vitry] write all of the songs. Do you collaborate on the writing process?
Not really. The arranging process is a group effort, but [Maya and I] write songs separately. I don’t have a regimen – it’s hard on the road – I just sort of collect ideas from the people I meet and the places I go, and I come back and reflect and think about these people and their stories. Most of what I write is factual, but, of course, sometimes I make stuff up.
What is one thing you would like readers to know about The Stray Birds?
Just that I feel really lucky that people in this band are really talented. I got to watch [Maya and Charles] play recently with another band and it was so re-invigorating. I was like, Damn! I want to be in a band with those guys!
The Stray Birds will perform at Trinity House Theatre in Livonia with guests Red Tail Ring at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 12. Tickets are $15. To learn more about The Stray Birds and to check out tour dates, visit thestraybirds.com For more information on ticket purchases, visit trinityhousetheatre.org/tickets
