Biography
With their optimistic sing along anthems and their massive line up, I’m from Barcelona has proved that, sometimes, less is not more.
The story begins in the summer of 2005 when Emanuel Lundgren decided to record some newly written pop songs on his vacation. He gathered all his friends in the city of Jönköping and before he knew it he had formed the biggest band in Sweden.
One live show led to another and by early spring of 2006 the band signed to EMI and the EP ”Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams, Buddy!” was released, soon followed by the full-length album ”Let Me Introduce My Friends”. The song ”We’re From Barcelona” became an instant hit and was one of the most played songs on Swedish public radio. The video, directed by Andreas Nilsson (The Knife, José Gonzales, Yeasayer), is a YouTube success. The band was rewarded ”Best newcomer” by the listeners of Swedish radio (P3 Guld) and nominated for a Swedish grammy the same year. They soon started touring all over the world.
The band is famous for their explosive birthday-like live shows, playing festivals such as Lollapalooza, Coachella, Roskilde and Eurockéennes. They do full-house gigs in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles and San Fransisco at venues such as La Cigale, Bataclan, Koko, McCarren Pool and El Rey. The band’s recordings has been feautured in many TV shows such as “How I Met Your Mother”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Yo Gabba Gabba”.
On the second album ”Who killed Harry Houdini?” (2008) streaks of melancholy was fused with the trademark I’m from Barcelona sound. In 2010 the dream of ”27 Songs from Barcelona” came true. It’s a collection of one solo song from each member of I’m from Barcelona, released as a triple-vinyl.
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Johan AinelandInstrument: Accordion, mandolin |
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Martin AlfredssonInstrument: Synthesizers, glockenspiel Favourite song: Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush Favourite hobby: In the loving arms of technology, behind screens or under strobe lights. Favourite video game designer: Shigeru Miyamoto |
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Mathias AlrikssonInstrument: Vocals |
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Marcus CarlholtInstrument: Vocals, costumes Favourite song: Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley Favourite hobby: Watch documentaries Favourite cyclists: Fausto Coppi, Roger De Vlaeminck, Carlos Sastre |
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Philip ErixonInstrument: Percussion, vocals Favourite song: Run To The Hills – Iron Maiden Favourite hobby: to rebuild his house Favourite wife: Emelie |
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Anna FröderbergInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Torn Blue Foam Couch – Grand Archives Favourite hobby: to write little stories and sew big trousers Favourite spot: roof |
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Olof GardestrandInstrument: Drums Favourite song: Always – Selfmindead Favourite hobby: Rhythm Collapse Favourite youtube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnDTSq3HmNo |
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Tina GardestrandInstrument: Vocals, piano |
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Tobias GranstrandInstrument: Guitar |
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Mattias JohanssonInstrument: Saxophone Favourite song: Chicago – Sufjan Stevens Favourite hobby: to turn water into wine Favourite dance: the Tie Dance |
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Jakob JonssonInstrument: Trumpet |
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Fredrik KarpInstrument: Saxophone |
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Micke LarssonInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Starálfur – Sigur rós Favourite hobby: to move things Favourite horse: the brown ones |
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Daniel LindlöfInstrument: Guitar, banjo Favourite song: Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley Favourite hobby: Squash Favourite country: France |
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David LjungInstrument: Trumpet Favourite song: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi – Radiohead Favourite hobby: Hammering Favourite energy: The sun |
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Rikard LjungInstrument: Flute Favourite song: The Whole of the moon – Waterboys Favourite hobby: Quotation marks Favourite name: Janrl |
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Emanuel LundgrenInstrument: Lead vocals, guitar etc Favourite song: Always On My Mind – Elvis, Willie Nelson or Pet Shop Boys Favourite hobby: TV Favourite walking style: Fast |
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Johan MårtenssonInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Ewan – The Radio Dept. Favourite hobby: RSS-feeds Favourite sleeping area: The lounge in the tour bus |
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Cornelia NorgrenInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Hold On – Tom Waits Favourite hobby: Making up inventions Favourite computer program: Traktor 3 |
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Christofer OlofssonInstrument: Piano Favourite song: Where The Streets Have No Name – U2 Favourite hobby: to make playlists in Itunes Favourite Seinfeld episode: The Maid |
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Henrik OlofssonInstrument: Bass Favourite song: Poor Ellen Smith – Laura Cantrell Favourite hobby: Second to music, Fishing! Favourite team: Timrå IK |
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David OttossonInstrument: Saxophone Favourite song: Joining You – Alanis Morissette Favourite hobby: Discovering the world once again Favourite vegetable: artichoke |
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Erik OttossonInstrument: Tuba |
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Jacob SollenbergInstrument: Clarinet Favourite song: A Day In The Life – the Beatles Favourite hobby: Exercise Favourite language: Swedish |
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Jonas TjäderInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Forever – Beach boys Favourite hobby: Architecture Favourite buildings in Amsterdam: 1. The new library 2. The terrace houses in Borneo 3. Silodam |
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Julie Witwicki CarlssonInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Never Ending Story – Limahl Favourite hobby: Experience nature Favourite wine: Ecologica Shiraz |
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Emma ÖhnellInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: No Cars Go – Arcade Fire Favourite hobby: pyssla Favourite Favourite: The little kickboxer in her belly |
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Frida ÖhnellInstrument: Vocals Favourite song: Life of Mammals – Valley Days Favourite hobby: to watch Youtube clips, like old Trance Dance videos and Shreds, together with Emanuel Favourite destinations: New York and the island Ven |
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Johan VikingInstrument: ? |