The Young Novelists and Anthony da Costa at the me&thee on October 7

A fantastic double bill featuring two young acts that will make your heart happy and feel that the torch has been passed to the next generation happens at the me&thee on October 7. The Young Novelists from Toronto and Anthony da Costa newly planted in the Nashville scene arrive at the me&thee on Friday, October 7. The Young Novelists are a compelling harmony driven duo and Anthony da Costa is an old soul whose music resonates with all generations. The me & thee coffeehouse is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

The Young Novelists have a rich but rustic sound and deliver a dose of honesty in audible form. Their latest album, Made us Strangers, showcases a significant sonic progression for the band. It’s ripe with raw but elegant instrumentation and stacked multi-layered harmonies. This effort led them to being named the New Emerging Artists at this year’s Canada Music Awards. Their take on folk tinged rock translates well from the stereo or the stage. The Young Novelists’ sound resembles but doesn’t mimic the Decemberists and Mumford and Sons. It’s original and quirky and it’s a delight to hear. Graydon James is the frontman and he’s been touring as a duo with his wife, Laura Spink. Their stage show is honest and pure and their rapport with each other and with the audience is as real as you can get. The newest record “hinges on interpersonal relationships” and has an underlying theme which includes both traditional and non-traditional ones—from brothers in a band to a torrid love triangle to anew father missing the sound of his son’s voice when they’re apart. The Young Novelists show is as engaging as it is endearing.

Anthony da Costa is a 25-year old singer-songwriter/ guitarist currently living in Nashville. Originally hailing from Pleasantville, NY, Anthony has been writing songs since the age of 10 and playing professionally since 13. You may have seen Anthony on the stage of the me&thee as part of an early “Beatles Benefit” or as part of other shows with Pesky J Nixon, Seth Glier, and Jonathan Byrd. He has record seven albums and three EP’s to date, including collaborations with Abbie Gardner of Red Molly, John Elliott, and Raina Rose. His was hailed by Sing Out! Magazine as “an outstanding writer of plainspoken Americana.” Anthony has opened for the likes of Loretta Lynn, Judy Collins, and Suzanne Vega. He plays guitar in a band called Nancy and Beth featuring actor / singers Meghan Mullally (Will and Grace) and Stephanie Hunt (Friday Night Lights). Most recently Anthony has played in Aoife’s O’Donovan’s band and has toured the country with them

Tickets for this show with The Young Novelists and Anthony da Costa are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. Buyers who purchase tickets online are automatically eligible for door prizes. The Landing Restaurant at 81 Front Street, Marblehead offers a 10% discount on dinner if you show your ticket or receipt. Enjoy a meal before the show! As at all me & thee coffeehouse events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic coffeehouses in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.