First Aid Kit are an unlikely success story. The Swedish folk duo, comprised of two sisters, formed in 2007. In five short years, they went from recording a YouTube video of themselves covering a Fleet Foxes song, to appearing on Conan and Letterman, to performing near the top of the bill at major musical festivals around the world, including Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, and Primavera.
Along the way Johanna and Klara Soderberg caught the ear of a couple of indie music legends: Jack White of White Stripes fame, who asked them to record some songs for his record label and Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes. Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes produced their 2012 breakthrough album, The Lion’s Roar, First Aid Kit toured with Oberst, and can be heard singing harmonies on his upcoming solo album. That is quite a pedigree for a folk duo with only two records under their belt.
Their new record, titled Stay Gold, will be released on June 10, so you are bound to hear a bunch of new songs, as well as past hits like “Emmylou” and “Lion’s Roar.” First Aid Kits shows are famously intimate, but their sound is big, and their harmonies are exquisitely beautiful.
Opening for First Aid Kit will be another indie critic’s darling: New York-based folk singer Will Mason, whose 2012 release, Carry On, is one of the best and most underrated fold records of the last five years. His deep, baritone voice will captivate, and his haunting lyrics will mesmerize.
This double bill of unique and talented artists is not to be missed.
• May 23rd at the Vogue Theatre. All ages early show: Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets: $25. Go to voguetheatre.com for info and tickets.
