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Därför 3:040:00/3:04
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Kär i dig 2:430:00/2:43
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Saloon tune 2:470:00/2:47
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Du som visste allt 4:200:00/4:20
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En dag på kontoret 4:140:00/4:14
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Passionate about music
... and writing songs
Ever since I was in my teens (a long time ago), I have been hooked on music. Rock, pop. country, blues, jazz, folk... there is so much good music to enjoy, so many great songwriters and artists to be inspired by.
To me, sitting down with my guitar, playing and crafting new songs is a favourite pastime. I am by no means a vituoso, but my picking is quite proficient and my strumming is right on the beat. I usually write the lyrics first and from that the melody flows out.
In 2020, I cut my first studio recording, which was a bold move largely inspired by a songwriting course in Nashville a few years earlier under the guidance of Mary Gauthier, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Gretchen Peters, Verlon Thompson and Allen Shamblin (see photo gallery further down). All well-merited songwriters who encouraged me to continue writing. Since then, I have written, recorded and released an additional twelve songs in three languages. Available on all major digital platforms.
Thanks for tuning in !
New releases
A song on my mind
Claus Grue
What do you do when you wake up in the morning with a song on your mind, but can't remember the lyrics and the melody? You pick up your guitar and write a song about it - in classic singer-songwriter americana style! Read more
What do you do when you wake up in the morning with a song on your mind, but can't remember the lyrics and the melody? You pick up your guitar and write a song about it - in classic singer-songwriter americana style! Words, music and lead vocals: Claus Grue. Acoustic guitar, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, Wurlitzer piano, bass, drums/percussion: Joakim Barfalk. Acoustic piano: Tomas Pettersson. Produced, arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Torna Hällestad, Sweden. Cover photo: Hasse Dahlqvist.
Top Executive
Claus Grue
A classic, up-tempo rock n' roll track about success, ruthlessness, betrayal and greed. Words, music and lead vocals: Claus Grue. Guitars, bass, drums, percussion and harmony vocals: Joakim Barfalk. Organ and acoustic Read more
A classic, up-tempo rock n' roll track about success, ruthlessness, betrayal and greed. Words, music and lead vocals: Claus Grue. Guitars, bass, drums, percussion and harmony vocals: Joakim Barfalk. Organ and acoustic piano: Tomas Pettersson. Produced, arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Torna Hällestad, Sweden. Cover illustration: Robert Grip. Available on all digital platforms.
Previous releases
Kär i dig
Claus Grue
Svängig bluegrass-country tillägnad alla som tror att gräset är grönare på andra sidan. Medverkande: Claus Grue, text, musik och sång. Joakim Barfalk, bas, mandolin, akustisk gitarr, dobro, tvättbräda och skedar. Håkan Read more
Svängig bluegrass-country tillägnad alla som tror att gräset är grönare på andra sidan. Medverkande: Claus Grue, text, musik och sång. Joakim Barfalk, bas, mandolin, akustisk gitarr, dobro, tvättbräda och skedar. Håkan Andersson, dragspel. Ida Eriksson, fiol. Johan Malmberg, banjo och fiol. Producerad, mixtrad och mastrad av Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Torna Hällestad. Omslagsfoto: Claus Grue
När natten går mot gryning
Claus Grue
En längtansfull visa om kärlek, skriven av Claus Grue (text) och Thomas Wixtröm (musik). Medverkande: Claus Grue: Sång. Joakim Barfalk: Musikproducent, trummor, slagverk, bas, gitarr, orgel. Ida Eriksson: Fiol och Read more
En längtansfull visa om kärlek, skriven av Claus Grue (text) och Thomas Wixtröm (musik).
Medverkande:
Claus Grue: Sång.
Joakim Barfalk: Musikproducent, trummor, slagverk, bas, gitarr, orgel.
Ida Eriksson: Fiol och fiolsolo.
Håkan Andersson: Dragspel.
Johan Malmberg: Fiol.
Inspelning, mix och master av Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios.
Omslagsfoto: Claus Grue.
Vad är det som händer i livet
Claus Grue
En lågmäld berättelse i country-format om prestationsångest, åldersnoja och andra onödiga trauman. En djupdykning i en medelålders mans sårbarhet och ångest i en vardag av höga förväntningar och snäva normer. Text, musik Read more
En lågmäld berättelse i country-format om prestationsångest, åldersnoja och andra onödiga trauman. En djupdykning i en medelålders mans sårbarhet och ångest i en vardag av höga förväntningar och snäva normer. Text, musik och sång: Claus Grue. Akustiska gitarrer, dobro, elbas, orgel, Wurlitzer piano, marimba, mandolin, munspel, trummor och stämsång: Joakim Barfalk. Producerad, mixad och mastrad av Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Torna Hällestad. Omslagsfoto: Claus Grue. Avaliable on major digital platforms.
En dag på kontoret
Claus Grue
Rockig country med fett komp tillägnad alla er som arbetar på kontor. I den miljön kan ju vad som helst hända... A romantic story in the rock-country genre about a day at the office, when all of sudden she stood there Read more
Rockig country med fett komp tillägnad alla er som arbetar på kontor. I den miljön kan ju vad som helst hända...
A romantic story in the rock-country genre about a day at the office, when all of sudden she stood there right in front of me.
Words & music: Claus Grue.
Musicians: Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals.
Joakim Barfalk, guitars, bass, organ, Wurlitzer piano, drums and harmony vocals.
Mia Barfalk, harmony vocals.
Produced, mixed, mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Sweden. Recorded at Chromophone Studios, Sweden.
Available on all digital platforms.
Du som visste allt
Claus Grue
En senkommen uppgörelse med rödvinsvänstern i progg-countryformat. Words & music: Claus Grue. Musicians: Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals. Joakim Barfalk, Guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass, organ, Rhodes piano, Read more
En senkommen uppgörelse med rödvinsvänstern i progg-countryformat.
Words & music: Claus Grue.
Musicians: Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals.
Joakim Barfalk, Guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass, organ, Rhodes piano, percussion and harmony vocals.
Mia Barfalk, harmony vocals.
Produced, mixed, mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Sweden. Recorded at Chromophone Studios.
Cover photo: Claus Grue.
Available on all digital platforms.
Unter den Linden
Claus Grue
A tribute in Swedish to Berlin, Germany, inspired by a stroll down the beautiful Unter den Linden-boulevard. A love-song about sweet memories, regrets and hope, written and performed by singer-songwriter Claus Grue, Read more
A tribute in Swedish to Berlin, Germany, inspired by a stroll down the beautiful Unter den Linden-boulevard. A love-song about sweet memories, regrets and hope, written and performed by singer-songwriter Claus Grue, backed up by some of Sweden's very best musicians in a tasteful blend of Americana, country and bluegrass. A genre where dobro, banjo, fiddle, accordion and mandolin are key instruments.
Words & music: Claus Grue
Musicians:
Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals.
Joakim Barfalk, guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass and percussion.
Mia Barfalk, duett vocals.
Magnus Edring, banjo.
Johan Malmberg, fiddle.
Johan Ohlsson, accordion.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studions, Sweden. Recorded at Chromphone Studios, Sweden.
Cover Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Available on all digital platforms.
Holding on to the past
Claus Grue
A sentimental - yet hopeful - song in the americana genre about life from a rocking chair pespective. Words, music and lead vocals: Claus Grue. Music production, guitars, bass, melodica, drums, percussion and background Read more
A sentimental - yet hopeful - song in the americana genre about life from a rocking chair pespective.
Words, music and lead vocals: Claus Grue.
Music production, guitars, bass, melodica, drums, percussion and background vocals: Joakim Barfalk.
Fiddle, fiddle solo: Ida Eriksson.
Accordion: Håkan Andersson.
Banjo, and fiddle: Johan Malmberg.
Background vocals Mia Barfalk.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios. Sweden.
Cover photo: Claus Grue.
Saloon tune
The Southern Country Band
This is a story about a country band from South Sweden, where cattle graze and crops sway gently in the wind. One morning, we rode in to town to share our story. We are: Mats Andersson Risberg, accordion and vocals. Claus Read more
This is a story about a country band from South Sweden, where cattle graze and crops sway gently in the wind. One morning, we rode in to town to share our story. We are: Mats Andersson Risberg, accordion and vocals. Claus Grue, guitars and lead vocals. Pelle Nilsson, guitars, banjo, mandolin and vocals. Anders Persson, bass and vocals. This is our debut single, penned by Claus Grue and produced, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Torna Hällestad, Sweden. Joakim also sing background vocals and plays slide guitar, twang lead guitar, mandolin, drums and percussion. Cover photo: Hasse Dahlgren. Available on all major digital platforms.
Därför
Claus Grue
En liten visa om det största av allt. A love song in Swedish, dedicated to my dear wife, Cecilia. The title "Därför", means "thats why" or "because" in English. Words & music: Claus Grue. Musicians: Claus Grue, artist Read more
En liten visa om det största av allt.
A love song in Swedish, dedicated to my dear wife, Cecilia. The title "Därför", means "that´s why" or "because" in English.
Words & music: Claus Grue.
Musicians: Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals.
Joakim Barfalk, guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass, organ, Wurlitzer piano, accordion, drum programming and harmony vocals.
Mia Barfalk, harmony vocals.
Produced, mixed, mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Sweden. Recorded at Chromophone Studios, Sweden.
Cover photo: Claus Grue.
Available on all digital platforms.
Unter den Linden
Claus Grue
A tribute to Berlin, Germany, inspired by a stroll down the beautiful Unter den Linden-boulevard. A love-song about sweet memories, regrets and hope, written and performed by singer-songwriter Claus Grue, backed up by Read more
A tribute to Berlin, Germany, inspired by a stroll down the beautiful Unter den Linden-boulevard. A love-song about sweet memories, regrets and hope, written and performed by singer-songwriter Claus Grue, backed up by some of Sweden's very best musicians in a delicate blend of Americana, country and bluegrass. A genre where dobro, banjo, fiddle, accordion and mandolin are key instruments.
Musicians: Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals. Joakim Barfalk, guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass and percussion. Mia Barfalk, duett vocals. Magnus Edring, banjo. Johan Malmberg, fiddle. Johan Ohlsson, Accordion. Produced, mixed, mastered and recorded by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Sweden
German translation and editing: Jonathan del Pozo Rieger.
Cover photo: Albin Hillert.
Available on all digital platforms.
When you're not there
Claus Grue
A sad song about love, betrayal, loneliness and regret - in that order. Written by singer-songwriter Claus Grue and performed along with some of Sweden's very best musicians in the Americana-Country-Bluegrass genre, where Read more
A sad song about love, betrayal, loneliness and regret - in that order. Written by singer-songwriter Claus Grue and performed along with some of Sweden's very best musicians in the Americana-Country-Bluegrass genre, where dobro, banjo, fiddle, accordion and mandolin are key instruments.
Words & music: Claus Grue
Musicians:
Claus Grue, artist and lead vocals.
Joakim Barfalk, guitars, dobro, mandolin, bass, back-up vocals.
Magnus Edring, banjo.
Johan Malmberg, fiddle.
Johan Ohlsson, accordion.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Joakim Barfalk, Chromophone Studios, Sweden. Recorded at Chromophone Studios, Sweden.
Cover photo: Claus Grue.
Available on all digital platforms.
Inspiration
For me, Elvis Presley started the whole thing. Then came The Beatles and other British bands in the sixties. During that same decade Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez, Donovan, Arlo Guthrie and other singer-songwriters rooted in folk-music entered the stage. Later on, brilliant storytellers, such as John Prine, Mary Gauthier, Guy Clark, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and Rodney Crowell have been added to the list. Not to forget giants like Hank Williams and Townes van Zandt. There are so many talented artists and songwriters out there and so much more great music to discover and enjoy.
In 2020, I cut my first studio recordings as a solo artist. Bluegrassy country songs, one in English and the other in Swedish. A year later, I added a German version of the Swedish original "Unter den Linden", which is a tribute to a great European city. To date, I have released 13 singles and more are in the making. So far, my music has passed 45K organic streams on Spotify and been streamed in more than 100 countries around the globe. An overwhelming response, at least by my rather modest standards. A big thanks to playlist curators for featuring my songs and to all Americana-music lovers all over the world for listening!
Song List
1. “When you're not there”
Performed in Nashville 2017, released in September, 2020.
2. "Unter den Linden" - original Swedish version.
Performed in Nashville 2017, released in September, 2020.
3. "Unter den Linden" - German version, released 22 October, 2021.
4. "Du som visste allt" - released 3 June, 2022.
5. "Därför" - released 1 July, 2022.
6. "En dag på kontoret" - released 19 August, 2022.
7. "Vad är det som händer i livet" - released 19 January, 2023.
8. "Saloon tune", the theme of The Southern Country Band -
released 5 May,2023.
9. "Holding on to the past" - released 24 May, 2024.
10. “När natten går mot gryning” - released 31 May, 2024
11. “Kär i dig” - released 17 January, 2025.
12. “Top Executive” - released 16 January, 2026.
13. “A song on my mind” - released 6 March, 2026.
Upcoming single releases:
In English:
“Silicon Alley” - a country song about pursuing dreams and chasing glory.
“They don't play rock n' roll” - a rock song about today's popular music.
In Swedish:
"Grevinnan von Gyllensprätt" - en satirisk kuplett om bourgeoisien.
Photo Gallery
Claus Grue
Picking my favourite Martin Black Smoke. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Claus Grue Photo: Hasse Dahlgren
Claus Grue, May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren
Claus Grue, May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren
In a Stetson mode. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Claus Grue, May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Claus Grue, perhaps with a new song on his mind. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Claus Grue picking his Martin Black Smoke. May 2024.
An inspirational moment by a pond. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
The lyrics haven't fallen into place yet. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
A walk in the woods brings peace of mind. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Claus Grue, perhaps with a new song on his mind. May 2024. Photo: Hasse Dahlgren.
Nashville memories
Attending a songwriting workshop led by Mary Gauthier in 2017. She's a real pro in the Americana genre, with an impressive catalogue, including an album entirely co-written with war veterans. Mary provided songswriting tools and encouraged me to continue writing.
With acclaimed songwriter Allen Shamblin in Nashville, 2017. Allen co-wrote Bonnie Raitt's massive hit "I can't make you love me", with Mike Reid in the early nineties. Hearing him perform this masterpiece unplugged, and sharing the story of how it came about, was an unforgettable experience.
With Denise Troy and Gretchen Peters in Nashville, 2017. With "Independece day", recorded by Martina McBride in 1994, and a string of other fabulous songs on her CV, including "Rock Steady" (co-written with Bryan Adams), Gretchen needs no further introduction. Denise is an aspiring songwriter and keyboardist in rockband Sister Funk.
With songwriter and performer Verlon Thompson in Nashville, 2017. Verlon, who worked closely with the legendary Guy Clark for many years, is a great songwriter and performer in his own right. "The get to you waltz" is an absolute favourite, and a brilliant example of great songwriting.
With Beth Nielsen Chapman. Having provided major hits to Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and many other top artists, Beth is a household name among music-lovers around the globe. Her catalogue of love songs include gems, such as "All I have" and "Seven shades of blue".
Walking us through the songwriting process. An inspiring session with Mary Gauthier and Beth Nielsen Chapman.
The Southern Country Band
With its repertoire of classic country and western music, along with a bit of folk and rock, The Southern Country Band is an immensely popular act across Southern Sweden.
We are (from left to right):
Anders "Persa" Persson, bass & vocals, David Lund, drums, Pelle Nilsson, guitars, mandolin & vocals , Mats Andersson Risberg, accordion & vocals, Claus Grue, guitars & vocals.