LINKS

Official site

Barcelona on MySpace

I'm from Barcelona is a pop group from Jönköping, Sweden, best known for its 30 band members and eclectic mix of instruments such as clarinets, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, banjos, accordions, kazoos, guitars, drums, and keyboards among others. While most band members provide backing vocals on releases and during live performances, Emanuel Lundgren is founder, principal songwriter and lead singer for the group.

In 2006 the band released an EP entitled Don't Give Up on Your Dreams, Buddy! as well as a full length album, Let Me Introduce My Friends - both of which were well-received critically. Their second full-length album, Who Killed Harry Houdini?, was released in October 2008.

Sometime in 2005 Emanuel Lundgren wrote several songs and gathered his friends to record them. Weeks later, a homemade EP was completed and a one-time live show featuring all 29 band members was performed in August 2005.

The end was not near for I'm from Barcelona, however, as the Swedish media and bloggers around the world started buzzing about the band. EMI Sweden signed the band and Dolores Recordings released the EP Don't Give Up On Your Dreams, Buddy! on 15 February 2006 featuring the band's first hit "We’re From Barcelona," named as an homage to Manuel, a character on BBC Television's Fawlty Towers’ (He’s from Barcelona).[1] Their debut full-length, entitled Let Me Introduce My Friends, was released on 26 April 2006 in Sweden, with international releases to follow including an EMI UK release on 11 September 2006. In 2006 Lundgren did a Take-Away Show video session shot by Vincent Moon.

In July 2008, it was announced that the band would be releasing a new, full-length album in Fall 2008, entitled Who Killed Harry Houdini? The album will feature French singer Soko on the track "Gunhild." The album is due October 14 and they are on tour around the UK finishing at the Scala, London on the 25th November 2008.

LINKS

Official Site

Clá on MySpace

One of the best Portuguese bands. This is just one way to present Clã. Together since 1992, the six musicians, signed by the record label EMI Music, released their first album in 1996, after some years at the rehearsal room and making a national tour. LusoQualquerCoisa was one of the most expected records of 1996 and the nomination for Best New Act, on the Blitz Awards, came with no surprise. A handful of lyrics written in Portuguese by Carlos Tê – one of the most important songwriters of Portugal – with music signed by Helder Gonçalves – the guitar player and composer of the band – based on international pop-rock influences. On stage, their strength and rhythm capture the audience attention and, since 1996, the relationship has grown stronger.
In 1997, the second album of Clã, Kazoo, took them to Brazil and Macau, on their first shows outside Portugal. At the same time, the band lead singer, Manuela Azevedo, won the Best National Female Vocal Award, from Blitz magazine. With all attentions on them, Clã knew that the career was growing and, with confidence, accepted a challenge made by the LISBON EXPO 98 (world exhibition) organization - to do a project called Afinidades with Sergio Godinho – one of the best Portuguese songwriters and artist. This partnership was a recognized success. After the first presentation of Afinidades in Lisbon, Clã and Sergio Godinho decided to take it on a national tour that began in Oporto with three full house nights. Recorded live at Rivoli Theatre, Oporto, the album Afinidades – Clã e Sérgio Godinho was one of the best selling records in Portugal.
Invited to be part of the most important events and tribute albums, Clã released their third record, Lustro, that made them one the most wanted bands in 2000. Again nominated to Blitz Awards, they won the awards for Best Female Vocal, Best National Band and Best National Album. Along with an extensive national tour, Lustro was also released in France, and the band played in Paris, Bordeaux and Barcelona.
Interested in art, as a whole, Clã proved their range in 2001 composing an original soundtrack for the silent movie Nosferatu from F.W. Murnau (1922). An invitation made by Porto 2001 - Capital of Culture integrated in the project Odisseia nas Imagens, witch included a live performance of the band together with the movie. The film-concert Music for Nosferatu continued on a national tour with the Murnau Foundation approval.
Rosa Carne, Clã’s fourth album, was considered by critics one of the most important albums of 2004 and was presented live all over the country.
In the same year, lead singer and guitar player, Manuela Azevedo e Hélder Gonçalves, were invited to participate on a big project called Humanos. A tribute to António Variações, an icon of Portuguese popular music dead in the 80s, that was the best selling record that year and, after a few live presentations, came out on a live CD/DVD.
After a very successful live tour, praised by their electrifying performances, Clã decided to register how they sound and look on stage by releasing, in October 2005, a live double CD called Vivo and a DVD untitled Gordo Segredo. Both were critically acclaimed by the press.
After an international adventure, through Brazil, Macau, Spain and France, they get back to studio to record their fifth record, Cintura. Luminous, adventurous, sensual and well humoured, this album continues the collaboration with great Portuguese and Brazilian songwriters with curious and poetic lyrics. The band first presented it live in closed venues getting closer to the audience and the feedback couldn’t be better. The Cintura tour continues, this time on the bigger stages of the summer festivals and outdoors concerts.