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American electropop duo known for their infectious synth-driven sound and viral hit 'Safe and Sound'.Capital Cities is an American electronic music duo formed in Los Angeles in 2010. The core members are Ryan Merchant (vocals, keyboards, guitar) and Sebu Simonian (vocals, keyboards). They achieved mainstream success with their debut single 'Safe and Sound' in 2011, which became a global hit. Their debut studio album, 'In a Tidal Wave of Mystery', was released in 2013. Known for their upbeat, danceable tracks and often incorporating trumpet melodies played by band member Spencer Ludwig in their early performances, the duo blends indie pop, synthpop, and electronic dance music.

• The band's breakthrough single, 'Safe and Sound', became a massive viral hit online, eventually achieving multi-platinum status and peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013.
• A distinctive feature of their early live performances and music videos was the prominent trumpet playing by Spencer Ludwig, who was featured as part of their touring ensemble and contributed significantly to their signature sound, though he was not an official founding member of the duo.
• The duo met through an online ad Ryan Merchant placed seeking a collaborator for commercial jingle work. Their initial partnership focused on composing music for advertisements before transitioning to creating their own original music as Capital Cities.
• Their debut album, 'In a Tidal Wave of Mystery', included collaborations with artists like Outkast's Andre 3000 (on the track 'Farrah Fawcett Hair') and received generally positive reviews for its catchy, optimistic sound.
• After their initial success, the band experienced a significant gap, releasing their second studio album, 'Solarize', only in 2018, which had a more subdued reception compared to their debut.