I'm From Barcelona is an odd name, especially as you're actually from Sweden. Where did it come from?
 | | Emanuel Lundgren |
"Is it odd? Well, my name is Emanuel and sometimes people quote Manuel in Fawlty Towers when they see me. It’s like ‘I'm Manuel. Iiii'm from Barcelooona!’ Actually, we got a message from Manuel via Teletext some months ago, which went: "‘Is Manuel here! You tipstop musics peepel!! but I can tel you no from Barcelona! Please you give me job and I make you BIGG stars. I play geetarr for you. Snig for you. Cook for you. I even wait for you! (Manuel, Waitr of Year at Fawlty Towerr neintin seneventy fifve. Ole) Then yuo reeliy form Barlethona. XXX Mannuel.’" How did the group come together?
 | | I'm From Barcelona (pic: Ulf Magnusson) |
"I decided that I wanted to do a musical and social experiment on my vacation. I wanted to put almost all my friends on the same recordings... So I just called them, emailed them or busted them in the streets of Jönköping. "They were a bit surprised, but they enjoyed it so much that they're still with me on this crazy journey. We became a group, but we didn't know that we started a band that summer 1 and a half years ago." There is a lot of you. Do you ever worry that you might outnumber the audience? | "We try not to be a band as often as possible. The idea of a band and an audience is an old misunderstanding." | | Emanuel explains how the idea of I'm From Barcelona works |
"No. We try not to be a band as often as possible. The idea of a band and an audience is an old misunderstanding. It's a bunch of people in a crowded room, looking for a good time." The Academy 3 here in Manchester doesn't have the biggest stage. What happens if you don't all fit on it? "How small is it? I'm not worried at all, actually. We've even played venues without a stage, so it shouldn't be a problem." People seem to mention The Polyphonic Spree a lot when they are describing you. What do you think of such comparisons? "Well, it's a pretty easy comparison to make. But I think our music is kind of different from theirs, though I think they're a good band! Hopefully, the atmosphere on our gigs is more like another big band - Parliament/Funkadelic! A lot of people bouncing around in chaos, sweating and shouting all over the place." There's a rumour that you sometimes turn into a 12 year old. Care to explain...
 | | I'm From Barcelona (pic: Ulf Magnusson) |
"Hmm, it's hard to explain, but it's like a reversed version of the Hulk. My clothes become too large, my voice sounds tiny and my mind is focused on climbing trees and stealing apples." I'm From Barcelona play Academy 3 on Thursday 25 January. Tickets are £7.50 | 
