The Cody Sisters bring their distinctive brand of bluegrass to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Maddie and Megan Cody have been making music together since ages six and eight, respectively. Raised on the Colorado folk and bluegrass scene—with encouragement from their dad, who often played guitar around the house and was the original bass player in the band—festivals like RockyGrass were high notes amidst a lifelong musical awakening filled with live performances, songwriting, and travel.

With Maddie on banjo, Megan on mandolin, and both women trading turns on the guitar, the sisters built a following quite early for their resonant harmonies and meticulous instrumental chops. The Cody Sisters took on a new depth in 2020 when bassist Will Pavilonis became part of the band, bringing fresh dimensions to their arrangements and sound.

"I immediately knew Will would be the perfect fit for the group," explains Megan, who first connected with Pavilonis playing folk music in their freshman dorm. In addition to lending his talents on upright bass and vocal harmonies, Pavilonis quickly became an essential part of the writing process, too, helping pair Maddie's lyrics and melodies with the right musical arrangements. On their 2023 self-titled EP as well as on tour stops across the United States and Europe, the Cody Sisters' sound evolved and matured—a creative growth especially evident in "All the Quiet People."

"In a way, this album is an expression of our coming of age story—together," says Maddie. "Collectors on the Run," for example, is based on a memorable night from the trio’s first time on the road together. "It was our last night of what we thought was this grand tour, driving our dad's minivan across the Midwest. We were all set on ending it with some extravagant fun night, but we wound up at a little league baseball game," Megan explains with a laugh. "It's so silly, but I think that was when all of us realized that we could do this forever; that we want to be on the road and collect all of these little stories together for as long as we can."

The songs that aren't strictly autobiographical often take inspiration from fictional stories and novels. "So often I connect with characters that I've picked up from books," says Maddie, citing the work of Ocean Vuong as a major influence on tracks like "Mother Tongue."

In many ways, the album's potent combination of personal experience and compelling fiction underscores its major takeaway: that every story has value. "We want our listeners to understand that their stories should be heard no matter who they are," says Maddie. "We're all collectively just interested in making a small difference with our music—to add a little bit of joy to this chaotic world."

Advance $25 discounted tickets available from the box office at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor or by calling 207-633-5159. The box office is open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular tickets are $30, at the door day of and online at https://boothbayoperahouse.com/. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m. The bar will have cold drinks for sale, cash only.