Daughter to one of Sweden’s most beloved folk singers, Fred Åkerström, Cajsa-Stina Åkerström’s life before venturing into the music business was far from writing folk songs and playing the guitar. After her father passed away in 1985, she took up studying archeology at the University of Lund. She and her father had been performing together when Cajsa-Stina was very young, but after his death artistry wasn’t as appealing anymore.

But it was not long before that all changed. In 1994, her debut album CajsaStina was released. On that album, her biggest and perhaps only major hit to date was the magnificent Fråga stjärnorna. The song had an influence on Swedish comedic group Killinggänget, who featured a sketch where ”Gangsta-Stina” and a couple of thugs sang the song. Even though it was funny, Cajsa-Stina’s childhood had never been easy, with an alcoholic father. Her story was depicted in the critically acclaimed and very naked autobiography Du och jag farsan (You and me pops).

Through the years Cajsa-Stina has continued to write and sing low-key, subtle and beautiful folk songs, releasing albums featuring covers and her own material. Through collaborations with artists like Åsa Jinder, Stefan Sundström and on the album Huset med de arton rummen with the wonderful actress Stina Ekblad, she has held her stance as an influential artist, even though she relatively anonymous because she often shies away from the limelight.

Now, Cajsa-Stina will be performing at lovely Södra Teatern in light of a recent biography over her late father, Fred Åkerström. It will be a night to celebrate the Swedish traditional folk music, talk about Fred Åkerströms influence on Swedish pop culture and some wonderful perfomances.

Cajsa-Stina Åkerström is at Södra Teatern on May 12.