by James Christopher Monger Born in Buffalo, NY, singer/songwriter David Stith spent his formative years surrounded by music. The son of a college wind ensemble/church director and pianist mother with a pair of opera singing sisters, Stith began his own music career after a long affair with writing, illustration, and graphic design. After meeting and working with Shara Worden of eclectic dream pop outfit My Brightest Diamond upon relocating to New York City, he began writing and recording his own songs, resulting in his independently released debut, Ichabod and Apple. Largely acoustic-based with electronic flourishes, Stith's music eventually caught the ears of Sufjan Stevens, who helped sign the young artist to Asthmatic Kitty Records. The resulting Heavy Ghost arrived in 2009.