Ali Klarén

Ali grew up playing in the dirt, creeks, and fields of northern Virginia. She took up the guitar at the age of 15, after receiving a strong musical foundation in classical piano. In 1998, at the age of 18, she formed the college band Brand New Beggars with sonaBLAST! artist Max Gabriel. Deeply influenced by her father's old folk music records, Ali's songs remain rooted in the folk tradition while building upon the rock and pop influences of contemporary American culture. Her influences include Dave Matthews, Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Ryan Adams, Ani Difranco, Patty Griffin, and Counting Crows, to name a few. A romantic, believer, and lover of things both beautiful and unlovely, Ali writes of the heartaches, blessings, longings, and graces that make life a truly beautiful mess.