In an era dominated by electronic beats and pop hooks, few acts have championed the beauty of stripped-down, harmony-rich folk music quite like First Aid Kit. The Swedish duo, consisting of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, have enchanted audiences across the globe with their lush harmonies, poetic lyrics, and a sound that bridges Scandinavian melancholy with American folk tradition.
Over the past decade and a half, they have gone from uploading homemade songs to MySpace to performing on the world’s biggest stages, collaborating with musical legends, and winning a devoted international fanbase.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Klara (born January 8, 1993) and Johanna (born October 31, 1990) grew up in Enskede, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. They were raised in a musically supportive household — their father, Benkt Söderberg, was a former member of the Swedish rock band Lolita Pop and later became their manager, while their mother, a teacher, encouraged their creative pursuits.
The sisters were exposed to a wide range of music growing up. They listened to artists such as Bob Dylan, The Carter Family, Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, and Emmylou Harris, developing a deep appreciation for American folk and country music despite growing up thousands of miles away from its birthplace. This early exposure shaped their distinctive style: a blend of storytelling, tight vocal harmonies, and heartfelt acoustic arrangements.
Breakthrough: The MySpace Era and “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”
In 2007, when Klara was just 14 and Johanna 17, the sisters began writing and recording songs together. They uploaded their music to MySpace, which at the time was a key platform for emerging artists. Their raw talent, combined with haunting harmonies, quickly caught the attention of listeners.
Their big break came in 2008 when they posted a simple, outdoor acoustic cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” on YouTube. The video, filmed in a forest, was intimate and unpolished — a pure display of their voices blending in harmony. Fleet Foxes themselves noticed and praised the performance, leading to widespread attention from folk fans worldwide.
Early Releases: “Drunken Trees” and “The Big Black and the Blue”
First Aid Kit’s debut EP, Drunken Trees, was released in 2008 in Sweden and internationally in 2009. It included original songs like Our Own Pretty Ways and You’re Not Coming Home Tonight, as well as a cover of Fleet Foxes’ Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. The EP introduced their delicate harmonies and lyrical maturity, which was impressive for such young artists.
Their first full-length album, The Big Black and the Blue (2010), showcased their songwriting growth. It was recorded at home with their father’s help and reflected themes of love, loss, and the natural world. The sound was stripped-back — mostly acoustic guitars and harmonies — but the emotional weight carried the songs far beyond minimal instrumentation.
International Recognition: “The Lion’s Roar”
The turning point for First Aid Kit came in 2012 with the release of their second album, The Lion’s Roar, produced by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes fame. This record marked a shift toward a fuller, more polished sound while retaining their folk roots.
Key tracks included:
- The Lion’s Roar — A slow-building, anthemic title track filled with rich harmonies and a bittersweet tone.
- Emmylou — A love letter to country and folk legends, referencing Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, and June Carter. The song became one of their signature tracks and earned praise from Harris herself.
- Blue — A lively yet melancholic track with a 1970s country-pop feel.
- King of the World — Featuring a guest appearance from Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), this song explored themes of wanderlust and self-discovery.
The album debuted at number one in Sweden and reached the UK Top 40, solidifying their international presence.
Stay Gold (2014): A Richer, Cinematic Folk Sound
With Stay Gold (2014), First Aid Kit expanded their sonic palette even further. Recorded again with Mike Mogis, the album featured sweeping string arrangements and a more cinematic quality.
Highlights included:
- My Silver Lining — A lush, hopeful anthem with a galloping rhythm, it became one of their most recognizable songs.
- Cedar Lane — A mysterious, dreamlike song blending folk imagery with ethereal instrumentation.
- Waitress Song — A down-to-earth track reflecting on ordinary life and the longing for freedom.
- Stay Gold — The reflective title track, dealing with the fleeting nature of beauty and youth.
Critics praised the album’s ambition, and it earned them multiple Swedish Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
Ruins (2018): Heartbreak and Reflection
Their fourth album, Ruins, arrived in 2018 and reflected a more stripped-back, emotional tone following Klara’s breakup. Recorded in Portland, Oregon, with producer Tucker Martine, the record leaned into a rawer Americana sound.
Notable tracks:
- Fireworks — A wistful, retro-sounding ballad about love’s impermanence.
- It’s a Shame — A bittersweet track pairing upbeat melodies with melancholic lyrics.
- Postcard — A twangy, country-influenced song with pedal steel guitar.
- Rebel Heart — A haunting, slow-building opener that set the tone for the album.
Ruins was seen as a return to a more personal, intimate style after the grandeur of Stay Gold.
Palomino (2022): Lightness After the Storm
After a few years away from releasing albums, First Aid Kit returned with Palomino in 2022. This record was more upbeat and pop-infused compared to their earlier, moodier folk works. It reflected a sense of resilience and optimism after challenging times.
Standout songs included:
- Out of My Head — A catchy, synth-accented track with a breezy feel.
- Angel — A soaring, hopeful anthem.
- Wild Horses II — A storytelling track steeped in nostalgia.
- Ready to Run — An energetic, road-trip-ready number.
Palomino showed that the duo could evolve their sound while staying true to their storytelling roots.
Musical Style and Influences
First Aid Kit’s music blends American folk, country, and Americana traditions with a Scandinavian sensibility. Key elements include:
- Tight sibling harmonies — Their voices blend with an almost genetic precision, reminiscent of The Everly Brothers and The Secret Sisters.
- Lyrical storytelling — Drawing on nature imagery, personal reflection, and romantic narratives, their lyrics balance melancholy with hope.
- Acoustic foundations with lush arrangements — While early work was mostly guitar-based, later albums incorporated strings, pedal steel, and even synths.
- Influences — Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt, Joni Mitchell, and Bright Eyes are among their musical heroes.
Live Performances and Collaborations
First Aid Kit have earned a reputation for spellbinding live performances. Their sets often feature intimate acoustic moments, playful banter, and powerful vocal delivery. They have toured extensively across Europe, North America, and beyond, performing at major festivals like Glastonbury, Coachella, and Newport Folk Festival.
They have also collaborated with a range of artists, including:
- Conor Oberst (King of the World)
- Van Morrison
- George Ezra
- The Staves
- Performed tributes to Emmylou Harris and Patti Smith at award ceremonies.
Awards and Recognition
Over their career, First Aid Kit have received multiple awards and nominations, including:
- Several Grammis Awards (the Swedish equivalent of the Grammys)
- Swedish Music Hall of Fame induction (2023)
- International critical acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Pitchfork.
Impact and Legacy
First Aid Kit’s significance lies in their ability to bridge cultures. As Swedish artists performing largely American-influenced folk, they prove that the emotional truths of folk and country transcend geography. They’ve also helped bring Americana music to younger, global audiences who might not have otherwise engaged with the genre.
Their commitment to authenticity — from their grassroots beginnings to their evolution into internationally respected musicians — has made them role models for aspiring singer-songwriters. They’ve shown that you don’t need to be from Nashville or Laurel Canyon to write songs that feel like they belong there.
Conclusion
From two Swedish teenagers covering Fleet Foxes in the woods to internationally acclaimed folk artists, First Aid Kit’s journey is a testament to the power of harmony, storytelling, and heartfelt music. Across albums like The Lion’s Roar, Stay Gold, and Ruins, they have crafted a discography that blends Scandinavian introspection with the wide-open spirit of American folk.
Their songs can feel like a comforting embrace or a quiet heartbreak, but they always feel genuine — a rare quality in today’s music landscape. Whether they’re singing about love, loss, or the beauty of the natural world, Klara and Johanna Söderberg have found a way to make listeners feel like they’re part of an intimate, universal conversation.
