Los Angeles duo Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian initially met on craigslist in 2008 and worked as jingle writers until they formed the indie electro band Capital Cities in 2010. They released an EP independently in 2011 that included the song “Safe and Sound,” an upbeat mesh of synths and melody that spread like wildfire across the Internet. When they discovered through social media that a radio station in Peru began to play the song, they connected with fans from Lima and organized tours in South America. Encouraged by the experience, the band self-funded a promotional campaign and got on the radio in the U.S.. Soon after, the rest of the world took notice. Capitol Records signed the band and released Capital Cities’ debut album, In A Tidal Wave of Mystery, in June, 2013. “Safe and Sound” went multi-Platinum in the U.S., and shot to the top of numerous international charts and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video received a VMA and a Grammy nomination. The band has toured four continents and played in front of tens of thousands fans at festivals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Poland, Japan and Korea. They’ve also played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Hangout Fest and all three South American Lollapalooza dates and then hit the road with Katy Perry on the first leg of her summer tour. Merchant and Simonian are joined by bassist Manny Quintero, trumpeter Spencer Ludwig, guitarist Nick Merwin, and drummer Channing Holmes. Sky’s the limit for Capital Cities. Great band!
