Capital Cities

Capital Cities is an American indie pop duo from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 2010 by Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. Their debut EP, released on June 7, 2011, featured the lead single "Safe and Sound."

Formation and Early Years

Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian met on Craigslist in 2008 and initially worked as jingle writers. After three years of composing music for commercials, they formed Capital Cities. The duo released their debut self-titled EP in June 2011 through their own label, Lazy Hooks. The song "Safe and Sound" quickly gained traction online and was even picked up by a radio station in Peru.

"In a Tidal Wave of Mystery" and Breakthrough

In 2012, Capital Cities signed with Capitol Records. Their debut full-length album, "In a Tidal Wave of Mystery," was released on June 4, 2013. The album, which gets its name from a lyric in "Safe and Sound," was produced and mixed entirely by Merchant and Simonian. The album's lead single, "Safe and Sound," became a major international hit, reaching number one on the US Alternative Songs chart. The music video for "Safe and Sound" won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Another single from the album, "Kangaroo Court," also received a Grammy nomination for its music video. The band toured extensively, opening for artists like Katy Perry.

Musical Style

Capital Cities' music is characterized as indie pop and synth-pop, featuring prominent keyboards, synthesizers, and trumpet lines. Their sound is often described as upbeat and catchy. The live band includes a bassist, trumpeter, guitarist, and drummer.

Subsequent Work

The duo released their second album, "Solarize," in 2018. This album saw them move towards a more cohesive album experience rather than a collection of singles. They also released an EP titled "Swimming Pool Summer" in 2017.