Lo-fi folk from Stockholm
Barbarisms are a Stockholm-based lo-fi folk trio featuring American songwriter and singer Nicholas Faraone, guitarist Tom Skantze and drummer Robin af Ekenstam. Everyday details become offbeat stories, carried by melodies and a sound that brings American folk into conversation with Swedish indie.
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Nicholas Faraone and Tom Skantze met at a bus station in Gothenburg in 2010. Robin af Ekenstam joined on drums when they were recording in his studio. Their self-titled debut arrived in 2014, followed by Browser, West in the Head and Zugzwang.
Faraone’s lyrics move between everyday observations and literary storytelling. Skantze and af Ekenstam develop the songs through grooves and melodies, while the production combines the spontaneity of lo-fi recording with close attention to detail.
The band have toured Europe and opened for Destroyer, Timber Timbre, Alice Boman and Shout Out Louds. Heaviest Breather, from Browser, features in the American television series Shameless.
Barbarisms
The first EP in the series gathers five songs from different periods: two written before the band formed, one left over from Browser and two written after Zugzwang. Together, they offer a fresh introduction to the band’s rough-edged lo-fi sound.
The second EP spans nearly eight years of songwriting and takes its title from closing track Acapulco. Absolute Music and Bungalow 6 began as stories set in a fictional Los Angeles; Three Sisters and Gist of Morning were written in summer 2020. The production brings the five songs’ different origins into focus.
Barbarisms have opened for Destroyer in Rome and Stockholm.
Read sourceHeaviest Breather features in Hiraeth, season 7, episode 1.
Read sourceThe artist created the artwork for West in the Head and Zugzwang.
Read sourceCoverage across different label periods.
EP review.
Describes an honest, accomplished album.
Praises the storytelling and vocals.
A positive review focused on Americana, melody and personal lyrics.
Highlights the intimate vocals and shimmering folk sound, especially Royal Ballet Academy and Soulful Lingo.
An album review discussing travel, memory and Nicholas Faraone’s songwriting.
Praises the melodies, the balance of melancholy and humour, and the carefully crafted arrangements.
Highlights the stronger melodies and relaxed, seventies-inspired songwriting.
Examines how the more melodic, accessible second album compares with the debut.
Highlights the blend of acoustic and electric instruments and the detail in the storytelling.
Praises the band’s European angle on Americana and its accomplished songwriting.
Describes memorable moments and an unforced slacker sensibility.
Highlights a stronger, more melodic band.
Track appraisal in the Sound of the Night series.
Track appraisal focused on offbeat rhythms and darkly humorous lyrics.
Single of the Week, highlighting Nicholas Faraone’s voice.
A solo set on 7 September 2025, mainly featuring Barbarisms songs; not a full-band concert.
EP premiere with a positive editorial introduction about its lo-fi sound, melodies and vocals.
Video premiere with Nicholas Faraone’s comments on the song.
Artist feature with music selections and commentary; not an album review.
Review of the Quirinetta concert on 7 June 2016, with Barbarisms supporting Destroyer.
Photo report from the Rome concert.
Video premiere with artist commentary and a reference to shows supporting Destroyer.
Interview about songwriting, influences and life in Stockholm.
