Biography
Beginning with the self-released 2005 EP Already There, Nashville-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Anthony da Costa has pursued acoustic folk, Americana, and adult alternative pop as a solo performer, at times merging these approaches across his output. Alternative country-rock entered his solo catalog via the jangly 2016 album Da Costa. Collaborative efforts encompass full-length projects alongside Abbie Gardner and Adam Levy, plus stints in the backing ensembles of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, and Joy Williams.
Raised in Pleasantville, New York, da Costa absorbed an eclectic array of sounds during childhood, spanning Bob Dylan and classic rock to boy bands and bluegrass. He performed vocally in both his church choir and school musicals. As a teenage guitarist he launched into songwriting, playing open mikes, securing local gigs, and balancing writing, recording, and touring with high-school demands. His solo recording career opened with the 2005 EP Already There, followed by the debut full-length Rearrange in 2006 before he turned sixteen. The year 2007 yielded the solo album Quality Time plus the duo LP Bad Nights/Better Days recorded with jazz/folk singer Abbie Gardner. Third and fourth solo albums arrived as Typical American Tragedy in 2008 and Not Afraid of Nothing in 2009, while he continued creating music around his studies at a New York City college.
The 2012 full-length Secret Handshake marked his return, co-produced with James Frazee, who also contributed to the following year’s Spring EP; Margaret Glaspy supplied vocals on two tracks. Da Costa had moved to Austin by the time he completed his sixth solo album, Da Costa, which he issued independently in 2016—the same year he spent several weeks touring as Aoife O'Donovan’s guitarist. His next relocation, to Nashville, occurred around that period.
In 2017 he released the collaborative album Neighbors with Adam Levy and joined Sarah Jarosz’s band on guitar and harmony vocals. Early 2019 brought a tour with Joy Williams, where he served as both opener and backing musician, before the EP Shadow Love appeared that June.
Raised in Pleasantville, New York, da Costa absorbed an eclectic array of sounds during childhood, spanning Bob Dylan and classic rock to boy bands and bluegrass. He performed vocally in both his church choir and school musicals. As a teenage guitarist he launched into songwriting, playing open mikes, securing local gigs, and balancing writing, recording, and touring with high-school demands. His solo recording career opened with the 2005 EP Already There, followed by the debut full-length Rearrange in 2006 before he turned sixteen. The year 2007 yielded the solo album Quality Time plus the duo LP Bad Nights/Better Days recorded with jazz/folk singer Abbie Gardner. Third and fourth solo albums arrived as Typical American Tragedy in 2008 and Not Afraid of Nothing in 2009, while he continued creating music around his studies at a New York City college.
The 2012 full-length Secret Handshake marked his return, co-produced with James Frazee, who also contributed to the following year’s Spring EP; Margaret Glaspy supplied vocals on two tracks. Da Costa had moved to Austin by the time he completed his sixth solo album, Da Costa, which he issued independently in 2016—the same year he spent several weeks touring as Aoife O'Donovan’s guitarist. His next relocation, to Nashville, occurred around that period.
In 2017 he released the collaborative album Neighbors with Adam Levy and joined Sarah Jarosz’s band on guitar and harmony vocals. Early 2019 brought a tour with Joy Williams, where he served as both opener and backing musician, before the EP Shadow Love appeared that June.
Albums
Anthony da Costa | OurVinyl Sessions
2023
da Costa
2017
Not Afraid of Nothing
2009
Typical American Tragedy
2008
Singles
