Somewhere between folk, pop and sing-songwriting, Swedish band Kolonien has carved their own musical universe with mesmerizing guitar and violin playing, generous vocal harmonies and captivating melodies, but above all; lyrics that challenges and asks questions.
The result is a fresh, appealing sound that brings multiple musical worlds together.
# Like The Cardigans early albums (Sonlines UK 2022)
# Top of the World Album (Songlines UK 2022)
# Impossible not to like (Lira Music magazine SE 2022)
Behind the songs we find the brothers Erik and Arvid Rask. Strongly influenced by The Beatles, Swedish folk music and their upbringing within the Swedish environmental movement, they started writing music together as teenagers. Now almost 20 years later, three internationally acclaimed albums, countless tours in North America and Europe, they are still writing songs, now together with Thea Åslund on violin.
Internationally they are called Fleet Foxes of Scandinavia and since 2022 are signed to the American label Cumbancha.
Previous members: Anna Möller & Mischa Grind
# Official Showcases
- Folk Alliance International 2018, Kansas City - USA
Official Website - Folk Alliance International
- NERFA 2018, Stamford - USA
Official Website - NERFA
- Mundial Montreal 2018, Montreal - CAN
OFFICIAL WEBSITE - MUNDIAL
- Folk Music Ontario 2019, Toronto - CAN
- Nordic Folk Alliance 2019, Göteborg - SWE
OFFICIAL WEBSITE - PUSTERVIK
- Folk Spot, Fredrikshavn - DK
- Tallinn Music Week 2025, Tallinn - EST
OFFICIAL WEBSITE - TALLIN MUSIC WEEK
PRESS
REVIEW, Concert at Hässelby Folk Festival (2015)
“Koloniens joy in playing is evident throughout the whole concert and the raving dancing in the audience continues until the final tone during a very good performance.”
– Lira music magazine
ARTICLE , Göteborgs fria (2015)
“Kolonien is setting our dreams free”
REWIEW, “Drömmarnas Land” (2015)
”With uncompromising commitment they put into words and tones, the times we’re living in.” - Nerikes Allehanda
MOTIVATION, Swedish Folk and World Music Awards 2013
“"Kolonien creates its own world on the folk music scene. A generous world of present and past times, of play and seriousness. Kolonien made its breakthrough this year and want more with its music than just telling a story. This group has an opinion.”
– The jury, Swedish Folk and World Music Awards (winner “Newcomer of the year”, 2013)
ARTICLE, Allehanda (2013)
”After their praised performance at Urkult Festival, Kolonien is not an unknown name (in Sweden)/.../ are best live, where the texts and message best comes across.”