Klara Ahlersten is recognized for her expressive delivery of lyrics, her distinctive emotional depth, and her blend of improvisation with vocal techniques drawn from folk music. Her compositions are like living poetry, where both lyrics and music intertwine in harmonious symbiosis. With a profoundly personal signature that permeates every piece, she has established herself as a unique voice on the music scene. Her artistry is characterized by a deep sense of both melodic beauty and lyrical depth, leaving a lasting impression on both audiences and critics alike.
For this outstanding work, she has been awarded both 2023 and 2024 by STIM (Swedish Composers’ International Music Bureau) – a recognition that attests to her significant contributions to music culture and her ability to create works that deeply resonate. Her music speaks directly to the heart, and through her personal style, she has crafted a musical universe that is both timeless and profoundly original.
While working alongside Harald Svensson, as well as other projects, she also leads leads the jazz group Mumriq, which has performed across Scandinavia since its formation in 2022, including appearances at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Tallinn Music Week. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Nick Cave and Captain Beefheart, Mumriq moves between jazz, alternative rock, free improvisation, and art music. The group has received two awards from STIM (the Swedish Performing Rights Society), released its debut EP in May 2024, and is currently preparing a full-length album for release in autumn 2025.
In parallel, Klara is a member of Viva Vocal Ensemble, a vocal project led by Casey Moir, where she collaborates with other singers to explore the expressive possibilities of the voice in music that spans composition and improvisation. She is also active in Spomenik, an alternative pop group with roots in prog and post-punk. In a classic pop framework, the group balances the provocative with the soothing, combining intense lyrical reflection with distinctive harmonic language.
Klara is currently composing music for a new stage production based on the Greek myth of Medea, written and directed by Svante Grogarn. Work-in-progress material has already been presented at the Teater Albatross Festival, reflecting an ongoing interest in bringing contemporary vocal composition into dialogue with classical drama.
Awards and Grants
Recipients of Swedish Performing Rights Society grant 2024
Recipients of Royal Swedish Academy of Music grant 2024
Recipients of Swedish Performing Rights Society grant 2023
Ethno Mobility Grant, invited to perform at North Carolina Folk Festival, USA 2023
Invited to perform at Impro Jazz Festival with the group Ukloprij, 2021
Discography
• Spomenik - great wisdom, great headache, (Kontoret, September 2026)
• Mumriq - A Quiet Place, (Footprint records September 2026)
• Harald Svensson/Klara Ahlersten - Mitt Liv (Kakafon records, 2025)
• Mumriq EP, (Varva records, 2024)
• Trio Rop - Mellan oss, (Kakafon records, 2022)