It was everywhere. You literally could not go to a grocery store or a wedding in 2013 without hearing those bright, synthesized trumpets. "Safe and Sound" was a juggernaut. But if you look at the Capital Cities band members, you’ll realize this wasn’t some manufactured boy band or a lucky group of college kids who stumbled into a hit. It was actually two jingle writers who spent years making music for commercials.
Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. That’s the core.
They met on Craigslist. Honestly, that sounds so 2008, doesn't it? Sebu was an Armenian-American musician and producer, and Ryan was a San Francisco native with a gift for hooks. They started out writing music for brands like Mazda and Silvercar. If you’ve ever wondered why their pop songs are so incredibly "sticky," it’s because they spent years learning how to sell you a product in exactly thirty seconds.
The Core Duo: Ryan and Sebu
Ryan Merchant usually handles the vocals and keyboards. He’s got that smooth, indie-pop delivery that feels very California. On the other side, you have Sebu Simonian, the guy with the legendary beard. Sebu is a production wizard. He’s often the one behind the intricate layering of the synths and the vocal harmonies that make their tracks feel so dense and expensive.
When they started Capital Cities, it wasn't a full band. It was just two guys with laptops and a dream of playing festivals. But when the debut album In a Tidal Wave of Mystery blew up, they had to scale. You can't just play Coachella with two guys behind a desk—well, you can, but it’s not the vibe they were going for.
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The Live Muscle: Who Plays with Them?
To turn their studio creations into a real spectacle, they brought in a rotating door of incredibly talented touring musicians. This is where people get confused about the "official" Capital Cities band members.
Basically, the live energy comes from these guys:
- Spencer Ludwig: If you remember the trumpet solo in "Safe and Sound," you're thinking of Spencer. He wasn't just a background player; he became a face of the band during their peak years. He eventually went solo (check out his track "Diggy," it's catchy as hell), but his horn work defined their early sound.
- Manny Quintero: He’s the guy holding down the low end on bass.
- Channing Holmes: He provided the live drums that gave their electronic tracks a more visceral, rock-and-roll punch.
The dynamic is interesting. Ryan and Sebu write the DNA of the song, but the live members give it the pulse. Honestly, seeing them live in 2014 was a totally different experience than listening to the record because the horn section—specifically Ludwig—added this brassy, soulful layer that the synths couldn't quite replicate on their own.
Why They Disappeared (Sort Of)
People always ask: "Where did they go?"
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They didn't break up. They just slowed down. After the massive success of their debut, they released Solarize in 2018. It was a good album. "My Name Is Mars" and "Vowels" are objectively great pop songs. But the music industry is fickle. If you aren't constantly churning out TikTok-friendly snippets, the mainstream forgets you.
Ryan and Sebu have always been more interested in the craft than the celebrity. They've spent a lot of time on side projects and producing for others. Sebu, for instance, has remained very active in the Armenian music scene and has worked on various collaborations that lean more into experimental and world music sounds. Ryan has explored solo work and different production styles.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the Capital Cities band members is that they are a "one-hit wonder" act. While "Safe and Sound" is their only massive Billboard Top 10 hit, their discography is surprisingly deep. They have a very specific "luxury synth-pop" aesthetic. It’s music that sounds like a sunset in Malibu.
They also leaned heavily into covers during their early days. Their version of Sinead O’Connor’s "Nothing Compares 2 U" is actually a masterclass in how to flip a song's genre without losing its soul. It shows that beneath the bright lights and the dancing, these guys are serious students of music theory. They aren't just pushing buttons; they're arranging.
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The Current State of the Band
Right now, Capital Cities exists in a bit of a "legacy" phase, though they still perform and occasionally drop hints about new material. They haven't officially added new permanent members to the core duo. It remains the Ryan and Sebu show.
The interesting thing about their longevity is that they’ve managed to keep the brand alive without the pressure of a major label breathing down their necks for a "Safe and Sound" 2.0. They own their sound. They own their masters. They are essentially the CEOs of their own boutique pop firm.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you're trying to follow the trajectory of the Capital Cities band members or learn from their success, here is the breakdown of what actually matters:
- Look at the credits: Don't just listen to the singles. Check out the production credits on Solarize. You'll see how Ryan and Sebu collaborate with different vocalists and instrumentalists to keep the sound fresh.
- Study the Jingle Background: If you are a producer, study how they structure their hooks. Because they started in commercial music, they understand "The Hook" better than almost anyone else in indie-pop. Every four bars, something new happens to keep your brain engaged.
- Follow the solo paths: If you miss the trumpet-heavy sound of the early years, follow Spencer Ludwig’s solo career. If you want the more eccentric, electronic production, keep tabs on Sebu Simonian’s Armenian collaborations.
- Check the 2024/2025 Tour Dates: They still pop up at festivals and mid-sized venues. The live show is still arguably the best way to experience the full "band" feel, as they continue to employ top-tier session musicians who make the electronic tracks feel "heavy" and organic.
The story of Capital Cities isn't over; it's just transitioned from a roar to a steady, rhythmic hum. They proved that you could come from the world of "selling cars" and end up at the Grammys, all while keeping the core creative control between two friends who met on a classifieds site.
How to Keep Up with Them
- Follow Sebu on Socials: He is the most active online and often shares behind-the-scenes clips of new gear and studio sessions.
- Listen to 'Vowels': If you only know the big hit, listen to this track immediately. It’s the perfect bridge between their old sound and their more mature production.
- Watch the 'Safe and Sound' Video Again: Pay attention to the choreography and the historical dance references. It explains a lot about their visual aesthetic and why they value "the show" as much as the music.