The Key Studio Sessions: New Sweden’s appearance on Folkadelphia

Wilmington-based new folk combo New Sweden has an instantly likeable blend: a little bit of Bright Eyes, a little bit of The Avett Brothers, a little bit of The Clash. It sounds great on their 2011 record The Mountain, but is even better when you have the group in a room, playing it for you in person. That’s what XPN2‘s Fred Knittel did just about a month ago, when New Sweden made a full-band, live-on-the-air appearance on Folkadelphia. Singer/guitarist Billy Dobies serenaded the studio with “View From the Mountain,” then the band tore the room down with “Highest Road.” You can get a taste of the scene in tracks below, as well as the video shot by Wilmington photographer Noah Gabriel Merenda. After wrapping the session up, the band hopped across the hall to World Cafe Live and won the award for Best Delaware Indie Band at the Tri-State Indie Awards – another bit of distinction to add to their resume, since New Sweden were finalists in last year’s Beta Hi-Fi competition as well. Wasting no time, it has a full slate of shows this spring – including dates this weekend at the AC Beer and Music Festival (which last week’s Key Studio Sessions artist, Griz, is also playing) and on April 14 at Phoenixville’s Steel City Coffee House.