[dropcap]S[/dropcap]weden has a solid history of popping out inspiring musicians, from super troupers Abba to synth-poppers Little Dragon; and First Aid Kit’s folk harmonies are the latest Scandinavian triumph.
Recent single ‘Emmylou’, which name-checks such greats as Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, June Carter and of course Miss Harris, makes me want to joyfully drape myself in Paisley and run barefoot through woodlands, preferably with a tin whistle, see video below for inspiration. Comprising of doe-eyed sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, First Aid Kit’s nostalgic vocals sound somewhere in between Dolly Parton and Fleet Foxes, the latter with whom they performed after a YouTube video of them covering ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’ became a hit. After capturing the attention of The White Stripes front man Jack White and collaborating with him on his Third Man Records series, the duo wowed at this years Coachella festival, and are supporting White at his sold out Brixton Academy show in June. Festival dates to follow include Latitude, Bestival and End of the Road ahead of a headline UK tour in November. With the likes of Patti Smith and Lykke Li falling over themselves to declare their shared admiration for them, it is a given that 2012 will be First Aid Kit’s.
First Aid Kit play live in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol this November.
See performance of their next single ‘Blue’ in an acoustic session for Vogue, out June 18th 2012: