Coming to America for 'country'

Country music attracted Swedish musician Frida Rosén to America 

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• Frida Rosén, a musician and acupuncturist from Ängelholm, Sweden, toured Europe as a member of the Swedish folk music band, Plommon. She quit the band a couple of years ago and moved to America to explore country music. She recently joined the new mixed choir Merula in Chicago.

• You came to America because of country music, but why did you join a choir?
  "I like any kind of music. I like to sing in a choir because it is very relaxed and laid back. It’s fun and I also enjoy the social part of it."

• Was it a challenge to quit the band and move to America?
  "The biggest challenge to quitting the band was losing a big part of (my) identity. The band was a big part of me after playing together for 13 years.

• Who is your favorite country singer?
  "One of my favorites is John Prine. He was one of the reasons I was inspired to go to America.

• How did you get the opportunity to tour Europe with the band?
  "It sort of just happened. We kept getting gigs and we met our German managers and kept playing."

• Do you miss the band today?
  "I don’t miss it. Sometimes I miss touring around in a van. We grew up together, but it was time for me to do something else."

• Erik Kinnhammar