About
Capital Cities is a Los Angeles based indie electro group known for hits such as “Safe and Sound” and “Kangaroo Court.”
The members of Capital Cities, Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, met each other through Craigslist in 2011, while working as commercial jingle writers. They soon discovered musical chemistry, and released an online EP not long after meeting. The EP contained the song “Safe and Sound,” an energetic amalgam of melody and electronic sound which drew the Internet’s attention to the group.
Joining with bassist Manny Quintero, guitarist Nick Merwin, trumpeter Spencer Ludwig, and dummer Channing Holmes, Capital Cities joined the international festival circuit, during which they opened for the likes of Asher Roth, Jane’s Addiction, and many others.
In June 2013, Capital Cities released their full-length debut album, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery, through Capitol Records. The mildly successful album was followed by the much more acclaimed Kangaroo Court EP, which garnered a Grammy nomination for its innovative music video for the titular single. In 2014, the group expanded their audience with a stint as openers for Katy Perry’s Prism tour.
Capital Cities’ fourth EP, Swimming Pool Summer, was released in the summer of 2017. It featured rapper Rick Ross on the song “Girl Friday,” and served as the prelude to their second full-length album, Solarize, a critical and commercial success. Capital Cities can be found performing shows regularly across the country, and are often booked for private parties and corporate entertainment events.
