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First Aid Kit

Data updated on 2024-12-18 07:43:26 UTC
A Swedish indie folk duo with a devoted international following, First Aid Kit blend the bright vocal harmonies and pastoral, contemplative songwriting of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg. After receiving radio play in Sweden as teenagers, they went on to chart across Europe, and in the U.S. and Australia with albums such as The Lion's Roar (2012), Stay Gold (2014), and the breakup-inspired Ruins (2018). Modeled on the '80s production of acts like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty, their more uplifting fifth studio LP, Palomino, was released in 2022. Often accompanied by a backing band, the group has staged Leonard Cohen tribute concerts (2021's Who by Fire) and covered other musicians including Simon & Garfunkel, R.E.M., and Kate Bush.

Hailing from suburban Enskede and taking influence from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom, the Söderberg siblings began composing songs as young teenagers in 2007. The home-recorded "Tangerine" enjoyed airplay on Swedish radio later that summer, and the debut EP Drunken Trees helped expand the girls' audience upon its release in April 2008. The London-based Wichita Records reissued Drunken Trees one year later, bolstering its track list with a reverent Fleet Foxes cover and three additional songs performed live in a Swedish forest.

The duo then set to work on a full-length album, balancing schoolwork with the recording sessions. The Big Black & the Blue arrived in 2010 and was followed by a request from Jack White to record a single at his Third Man Studios, which resulted in their cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier." They struck up a friendship with Conor Oberst and appeared live with Bright Eyes on tour before they entered the studio with the band's guitarist Mike Mogis for The Lion's Roar, which followed in early 2012. The lead single "Emmylou" was listed by Rolling Stone as the tenth best single of the year, and the LP debuted at number one in Sweden. It also charted in several other countries, including the U.S., where it reached number 65 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Five of the Americana/folk chart.

The sisters' creative relationship with Oberst was cemented in 2014 when they sang backing vocals on his solo album Upside-Down Mountain, and that same year the duo released Stay Gold, their first album on major label Columbia. It hit number one in Sweden and Norway, and charted in the Top 25 in several European countries, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Stay Gold went on to win Album of the Year at Sweden's Grammis. After two years of touring, festivals, and international TV appearances (including a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America" for The Late Show with David Letterman), First Aid Kit headed to Portland, Oregon to record their fourth LP. Featuring production by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, the Decemberists) and backing musicians such as R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Wilco's Glen Kotche, and Midlake's McKenzie Smith, the resulting Ruins was informed by the aftermath of Klara's broken engagement. It arrived on Columbia in early 2018 and became another international chart success, reaching number one in Sweden, the Top Five in the U.K. and Norway, and number 47 in the U.S. Comprised of songs recorded during the Ruins sessions, they followed it with the aptly titled Tender Offerings EP in September of the same year.

Although the next few years were comparatively sparse in terms of additional First Aid Kit material, recognition for the act continued to roll in. They were nominated at the 2019 UK Americana Awards, the Brit Awards, and again at the Grammis. However, due to health issues that year, an extensive summer tour had to be cancelled, but they were able to honor three Christmas dates in Stockholm. In summer 2020, the birth of Johanna's daughter coincided with the release of a charity single, a cover of Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again." In March 2021, the sisters issued Who by Fire: Live Tribute to Leonard Cohen, containing performances culled from their 2017 celebration of the late singer/songwriter's rich canon. They played England's Glastonbury Festival in June 2022 as they began introducing material from their fifth studio full-length. An intentionally poppier, more positive set produced with the '80s era acts like Fleetwood Mac, Hall & Oates, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in mind, Palomino followed on Columbia that November. Their first album to be recorded in Sweden since their debut, it was produced by Daniel Bengtson at his Studio Rymden in Stockholm. ~ Andrew Leahey & Marcy Donelson, Rovi

Total plays

1.4 billion
Updated on 2024-12-18

Monthly listeners

2,573,012

Followers

1,226,001

Top Cities

  1. Sweden
    87,109 listeners
  2. United Kingdom
    53,950 listeners
  3. Sweden
    36,624 listeners
  4. Australia
    36,374 listeners
  5. Australia
    33,174 listeners

Related artists

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
My Silver Lining
My Silver Lining
242,609,823 3:35 2014-04-01
Emmylou
Emmylou
108,238,999 4:18 2012-01-09
Wolf
Wolf
95,528,213 3:40 2012-09-16
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
65,480,543 5:07 2011-11-07
Fireworks
Fireworks
48,514,008 4:15 2018-01-19
Emmylou - Spotify Sessions
Emmylou - Spotify Sessions
43,331,580 5:04 2014-11-10
Stay Gold
Stay Gold
36,980,042 4:11 2014-06-03
America
America
34,678,842 3:38 2015-01-13
King of the World
King of the World
28,832,409 3:39 2012-01-09
Master Pretender
Master Pretender
28,221,724 3:48 2014-06-03
Saviour (feat. First Aid Kit)
Saviour (feat. First Aid Kit)
25,047,453 3:32 2018-03-23
Out of My Head
Out of My Head
21,873,373 3:34 2022-08-12
A Long Time Ago
A Long Time Ago
21,739,422 4:01 2014-06-03
Running Up That Hill - Recorded at Spotify Studios Stockholm
Running Up That Hill - Recorded at Spotify Studios Stockholm
21,544,922 3:56 2018-07-11
Kids in Love
Kids in Love
21,526,718 2:47 2023-02-17
Perfect Places - Live From BBC Radio 2
Perfect Places - Live From BBC Radio 2
20,392,569 3:39 2017-12-18
To Live a Life
To Live a Life
20,026,359 3:13 2018-01-19
Shattered & Hollow
Shattered & Hollow
17,816,528 4:05 2014-06-03
In the Hearts of Men
In the Hearts of Men
16,813,794 4:13 2012-01-09
Blue
Blue
16,813,664 3:12 2012-01-09
It's a Shame
It's a Shame
16,687,957 3:59 2018-01-19
When I Grow Up
When I Grow Up
16,424,923 3:36 2010-01-01
Revolution (feat. First Aid Kit)
Revolution (feat. First Aid Kit)
15,689,615 3:57 2017-06-30
Cedar Lane
Cedar Lane
14,584,515 4:43 2014-05-06
This Old Routine
This Old Routine
14,269,918 4:24 2012-01-23
I Found a Way
I Found a Way
13,908,112 4:13 2012-01-23
Rebel Heart
Rebel Heart
13,846,656 5:23 2018-01-19
Waitress Song
Waitress Song
12,717,032 4:04 2014-06-03
To a Poet
To a Poet
12,292,579 5:44 2012-01-23
Angel
Angel
11,405,386 3:39 2022-06-22
Ghost Town
Ghost Town
11,017,711 4:47 2010-01-01
Postcard
Postcard
10,212,405 3:47 2018-01-19
The Bell
The Bell
10,134,683 3:28 2014-06-03
Ruins
Ruins
9,605,972 3:32 2018-01-19
Heaven Knows
Heaven Knows
8,836,113 3:19 2014-06-03
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Live From BBC Radio 2
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Live From BBC Radio 2
8,778,194 2:12 2017-12-18
Fleeting One
Fleeting One
8,746,424 3:14 2014-06-03
Walk Unafraid
Walk Unafraid
8,458,739 5:18 2014-11-10
Dance to Another Tune
Dance to Another Tune
8,187,873 4:50 2012-01-23
Come Give Me Love
Come Give Me Love
8,043,105 3:60 2020-09-25
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
7,857,145 3:07 2012-01-23
I Met Up With the King
I Met Up With the King
7,545,505 2:49 2010-01-01
My Wild Sweet Love
My Wild Sweet Love
6,920,931 3:55 2018-01-19
Hem of Her Dress
Hem of Her Dress
6,809,859 3:24 2018-01-19
Winter Is All Over You
Winter Is All Over You
6,790,593 3:40 2010-01-01
Fireworks - Recorded at Spotify Studios Stockholm
Fireworks - Recorded at Spotify Studios Stockholm
6,576,779 4:37 2018-07-11
Hard Believer
Hard Believer
6,538,781 3:39 2009-10-05
Cute & Cruel (feat. First Aid Kit)
Cute & Cruel (feat. First Aid Kit)
6,225,770 3:01 2022-10-14
Turning Onto You
Turning Onto You
6,053,081 3:22 2022-09-30
Distant Star
Distant Star
5,823,166 3:08 2018-01-19
We Are Going to Be Friends
We Are Going to Be Friends
5,815,969 2:19 2011-09-02
Come Give Me Love - Live at Benjamin's
Come Give Me Love - Live at Benjamin's
5,813,837 3:46 2022-03-08
Nothing Has to Be True
Nothing Has to Be True
5,639,689 5:01 2018-01-19
too young to die
too young to die
5,638,603 4:35 2023-06-23
You're Not Coming Home Tonight
You're Not Coming Home Tonight
5,603,182 2:30 2008-01-01
Strange Beauty
Strange Beauty
5,373,148 3:46 2019-08-22
Turning Onto You - HNNY Remix
Turning Onto You - HNNY Remix
5,315,374 3:30 2023-09-15
Heavy Storm
Heavy Storm
5,296,562 3:22 2010-01-01
Hotel Amigo (feat. First Aid Kit)
Hotel Amigo (feat. First Aid Kit)
5,093,531 3:15 2021-09-17
Tender Offerings
Tender Offerings
5,051,591 3:12 2018-09-14
Sailor Song
Sailor Song
4,849,705 2:44 2010-01-01
Waltz for Richard
Waltz for Richard
4,779,654 2:49 2009-10-05
All That We Get
All That We Get
4,582,450 2:51 2018-09-14
Tangerine
Tangerine
4,424,109 3:13 2008-01-01
You are the Problem Here
You are the Problem Here
4,024,103 3:38 2017-03-10
Our Own Pretty Ways
Our Own Pretty Ways
3,864,436 3:28 2008-01-01
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
3,804,895 3:03 2008-01-01
In the Morning
In the Morning
3,800,699 2:36 2010-01-01
Palomino
Palomino
3,746,583 3:17 2022-11-04
The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer
3,728,443 4:08 2022-07-29
A Feeling That Never Came
A Feeling That Never Came
3,330,871 3:29 2022-10-21
Jagadamba, You Might
Jagadamba, You Might
3,265,120 3:46 2008-01-01
My Silver Lining - Spotify Sessions
My Silver Lining - Spotify Sessions
3,237,116 3:35 2014-11-10
Fallen Snow
Fallen Snow
3,190,881 3:07 2022-11-04
Come Give Me Love - Swedish Version
Come Give Me Love - Swedish Version
3,185,446 4:00 2020-09-25
Suzanne - Live
Suzanne - Live
3,171,144 3:40 2021-02-26
On the Road Again
On the Road Again
3,131,169 2:25 2020-08-14
Ready to Run
Ready to Run
3,045,071 4:15 2022-11-04
Josefin
Josefin
3,020,784 3:32 2010-01-01
Little Moon
Little Moon
3,011,396 3:52 2008-01-01
Brother
Brother
2,902,525 3:30 2014-06-25
A Window Opens
A Window Opens
2,574,674 4:21 2010-01-01
Wills of the River
Wills of the River
2,458,518 4:22 2010-01-01
I've Wanted You
I've Wanted You
2,407,816 6:39 2018-09-14
Goldwing (feat. First Aid Kit)
Goldwing (feat. First Aid Kit)
2,325,001 3:29 2018-10-05
The Last One
The Last One
2,231,236 3:50 2022-11-04
Wolf - Spotify Sessions
Wolf - Spotify Sessions
2,164,482 3:29 2014-11-10
Numbers (One Fine Day)
Numbers (One Fine Day)
2,071,668 3:38 2012-10-24
Mama
Mama
1,899,323 3:31 2021-09-24
Wild Horses II
Wild Horses II
1,850,949 3:47 2022-11-04
Pervigilo
Pervigilo
1,766,472 5:33 2008-01-01
Universal Soldier
Universal Soldier
1,752,762 3:28 2011-01-01
Cross Oceans
Cross Oceans
1,678,198 2:50 2008-01-01
Everybody's Got to Learn
Everybody's Got to Learn
1,632,891 3:53 2023-07-07
Radioaktivitet - Ny Version
Radioaktivitet - Ny Version
1,577,434 4:15 2015-10-02
Marianne's Son
Marianne's Son
1,469,883 3:35 2011-11-07
Stay Gold - Spotify Sessions
Stay Gold - Spotify Sessions
1,437,643 4:14 2014-11-10
Nobody Knows
Nobody Knows
1,425,236 3:22 2022-11-04
My Silver Lining - Stockholm Session
My Silver Lining - Stockholm Session
1,344,557 3:43 2015-01-13
29 Palms Highway
29 Palms Highway
1,327,460 3:22 2022-11-04
Ugly
Ugly
1,282,006 4:10 2018-09-14
Child of Summer
Child of Summer
1,212,640 3:41 2023-07-07
Glad That You Called
Glad That You Called
1,112,876 3:49 2012-08-26
Home Again
Home Again
1,088,410 4:06 2019-04-19
If It Be Your Will - Live
If It Be Your Will - Live
1,037,855 5:06 2021-03-26
Godnatt
Godnatt
956,284 3:44 2012-10-01
The Swimming
The Swimming
813,022 6:16 2012-10-24
San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley
763,495 3:23 2023-07-07
Hallelujah - Live
Hallelujah - Live
731,037 5:51 2021-03-26
Elbow in Your Face
Elbow in Your Face
690,568 4:49 2012-10-24
Stay Gold - Stockholm Session
Stay Gold - Stockholm Session
687,572 4:10 2015-01-13
Random Rules
Random Rules
684,066 3:14 2019-08-22
Du fria (rullande åska live) [feat. Silvana Imam & First Aid Kit]
Du fria (rullande åska live) [feat. Silvana Imam & First Aid Kit]
663,665 5:20 2017-08-25
When Will You Notice Me in the Crowd?
When Will You Notice Me in the Crowd?
654,970 2:15 2012-10-24
Chelsea Hotel #2 - Live
Chelsea Hotel #2 - Live
612,906 3:49 2021-03-26
Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time
610,266 3:21 2023-07-07
All My Exes Live in L.A.
All My Exes Live in L.A.
578,390 3:18 2023-08-16
I Need Love (feat. First Aid Kit) - Live Version
I Need Love (feat. First Aid Kit) - Live Version
529,004 3:21 2021-05-21
Ghost Town - Live at Kcrw
Ghost Town - Live at Kcrw
445,391 4:27 2013-06-24
Hard Believer - Live at Kcrw
Hard Believer - Live at Kcrw
423,534 3:30 2013-06-24
Heavy Storm - Live at Kcrw
Heavy Storm - Live at Kcrw
422,400 3:02 2013-06-24
So Long, Marianne - Live
So Long, Marianne - Live
399,028 7:53 2021-03-26
I Met Up With the King - Live at Kcrw
I Met Up With the King - Live at Kcrw
398,256 3:27 2013-06-24
Who by Fire / As the Mist Leaves No Scar - Live
Who by Fire / As the Mist Leaves No Scar - Live
376,748 3:51 2021-03-26
I Just Needed a Friend
I Just Needed a Friend
366,946 3:30 2012-02-13
Sisters of Mercy - Live
Sisters of Mercy - Live
340,642 3:55 2021-03-26
Tired - Live
Tired - Live
330,284 2:06 2021-03-26
Everybody Knows - Live
Everybody Knows - Live
317,408 5:06 2021-03-26
Angel - Goose Remix
Angel - Goose Remix
302,508 3:56 2023-08-25
You Want It Darker - Live
You Want It Darker - Live
287,466 5:43 2021-03-26
Hard Believer - Live at the Old Queens Head
Hard Believer - Live at the Old Queens Head
285,965 3:47 2010-03-07
Rebel Heart - Live
Rebel Heart - Live
277,973 5:20 2018-06-08
Fireworks - Live
Fireworks - Live
271,740 4:15 2018-06-08
Heavy Storm - Live at the Queens Head
Heavy Storm - Live at the Queens Head
271,363 3:27 2010-03-07
engine 5
engine 5
261,592 3:32 2023-06-23
A Window Opens - Live at the Old Queens Head
A Window Opens - Live at the Old Queens Head
261,405 4:36 2010-03-07
Avalanche - Live
Avalanche - Live
248,964 3:29 2021-03-26
Twelve O'Clock Chant - Live
Twelve O'Clock Chant - Live
247,076 1:05 2021-03-26
Radioaktivitet - Akustisk version
Radioaktivitet - Akustisk version
236,853 4:01 2013-09-02
Angel - Acoustic String Version
Angel - Acoustic String Version
222,290 3:41 2023-07-07
Famous Blue Raincoat / Anthem - Live
Famous Blue Raincoat / Anthem - Live
217,662 6:19 2021-03-26
Nothing Has to Be True - Live
Nothing Has to Be True - Live
207,733 4:54 2018-06-08
The Future - Live
The Future - Live
198,562 2:28 2021-03-26
It Hurts Me Too
It Hurts Me Too
198,261 2:43 2011-01-01
Postcard - Live
Postcard - Live
198,111 3:47 2018-06-08
You are the Problem Here - Live
You are the Problem Here - Live
187,776 3:31 2018-06-08
Ruins - Live
Ruins - Live
180,956 3:49 2018-06-08
Show Me the Place - Live
Show Me the Place - Live
171,593 3:47 2021-03-26
Bird on the Wire - Live
Bird on the Wire - Live
169,195 2:50 2021-03-26
Radioaktivitet
Radioaktivitet
167,784 4:15 2013-10-02
The Asthmatic - Live
The Asthmatic - Live
156,543 3:31 2021-03-26
Who by Fire (Reprise) / Letter to Marianne - Live
Who by Fire (Reprise) / Letter to Marianne - Live
141,988 2:53 2021-03-26
Prayer for Messiah - Live
Prayer for Messiah - Live
122,257 1:33 2021-03-26
You'd Sing Too - Live
You'd Sing Too - Live
120,559 1:57 2021-03-26
Radioaktivitet - Radio version
Radioaktivitet - Radio version
76,914 3:57 2013-09-02
The Horoscope Song
The Horoscope Song
46,960 3:09 2012-10-24
Interview With Patti Smith and First Aid Kit
Interview With Patti Smith and First Aid Kit
37,179 2:45 2014-09-10
Interview With First Aid Kit and Patti Smith
Interview With First Aid Kit and Patti Smith
37,179 2:45 2014-09-10

New releases

Turning Onto You (HNNY Remix)
Turning Onto You (HNNY Remix)
2023-09-15
[Columbia]
Angel (Goose Remix)
Angel (Goose Remix)
2023-08-25
[Columbia]
Palomino Deluxe (Child of Summer Edition)
Palomino Deluxe (Child of Summer Edition)
2023-07-07
[Columbia]
Palomino
Palomino
2022-11-04
[Columbia]
A Feeling That Never Came
A Feeling That Never Came
2022-10-21
[Columbia]
Turning Onto You
Turning Onto You
2022-09-30
[Columbia]
Out of My Head
Out of My Head
2022-08-12
[Columbia]
The Boys of Summer
The Boys of Summer
2022-07-29
[Columbia]
Angel
Angel
2022-06-22
[Columbia]
Come Give Me Love (Live at Benjamin's)
Come Give Me Love (Live at Benjamin's)
2022-03-08
[Record Company TEN]
Who by Fire - Live Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Who by Fire - Live Tribute to Leonard Cohen
2021-03-26
[Columbia]
Suzanne (Live)
Suzanne (Live)
2021-02-26
[Columbia]
Come Give Me Love
Come Give Me Love
2020-09-25
[Columbia]
On the Road Again
On the Road Again
2020-08-14
[Jagadamba AB]
Strange Beauty - Single
Strange Beauty - Single
2019-08-22
[Columbia]
Tender Offerings - EP
Tender Offerings - EP
2018-09-14
[Columbia]
Spotify Singles
Spotify Singles
2018-07-11
[Columbia]
Live from the Rebel Hearts Club
Live from the Rebel Hearts Club
2018-06-08
[Columbia]
Ruins
Ruins
2018-01-19
[Columbia]
Live From BBC Radio 2
Live From BBC Radio 2
2017-12-18
[Columbia]
You are the Problem Here
You are the Problem Here
2017-03-10
[Columbia]
America
America
2015-01-13
[Columbia]
Spotify Sessions
Spotify Sessions
2014-11-10
[Columbia]
Stay Gold
Stay Gold
2014-06-25
[Columbia]
Stay Gold
Stay Gold
2014-06-06
[Columbia]
Stay Gold
Stay Gold
2014-06-03
[Columbia]
Cedar Lane
Cedar Lane
2014-05-06
[Columbia]
My Silver Lining
My Silver Lining
2014-04-01
[Columbia]
Radioaktivitet (Akustisk version)
Radioaktivitet (Akustisk version)
2013-09-02
[Adrian Recordings]
The Big Black and the Blue
The Big Black and the Blue
2013-06-24
[Wichita Recordings]
Wolf
Wolf
2012-09-18
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-09-17
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-09-17
[Wichita Recordings]
Wolf
Wolf
2012-09-16
[Wichita Recordings]
Blue - Single
Blue - Single
2012-06-26
[Wichita Recordings]
Emmylou - Single
Emmylou - Single
2012-02-14
[Wichita Recordings]
Emmylou
Emmylou
2012-02-13
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-01-24
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-01-23
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-01-23
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2012-01-09
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar - Single
The Lion's Roar - Single
2011-11-08
[Wichita Recordings]
The Lion's Roar
The Lion's Roar
2011-11-07
[Wichita Recordings]
Universal Soldier
Universal Soldier
2011-01-01
[Third Man Records]
Ghost Town
Ghost Town
2010-09-27
[Wichita Recordings]
I Met Up With the King
I Met Up With the King
2010-03-07
[Wichita Recordings]
The Big Black and the Blue
The Big Black and the Blue
2010-01-25
[Wichita Recordings]
The Big Black and the Blue
The Big Black and the Blue
2010-01-01
[Wichita Recordings]
The Big Black and the Blue
The Big Black and the Blue
2010-01-01
[Wichita Recordings]
Ghost Town - Single
Ghost Town - Single
2010-01-01
[Wichita Recordings]
Hard Believer / Waltz for Richard
Hard Believer / Waltz for Richard
2009-10-05
[Wichita Recordings]
Drunken Trees EP
Drunken Trees EP
2008-01-01
[Wichita Recordings]
Drunken Trees
Drunken Trees
2008-01-01
[Wichita Recordings]