Search results for "sebu simonian"
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 52):
Wildcard (week 52):
Karin Simonian – Fade Out
Karin Simonian is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, who appears to have emerged onto the music scene out of nowhere. For Carte Blanche Music followers however, her last name may sound familiar. This is the catch: she’s the sister of Sebu Simonian, of Capital Cities fame. He’s also the one who co-produced her debut album 11 Degrees Of Love.
The 11 tracks on this long-player have been put out one by one throughout last year. The album release coincided with the birth of this new single. Fade Out is another strong and beautiful piano-led pop song with driving drums. Also, it has a fitting title, considering this is the last ‘old-style’ Carte Blanche Music post.
Fade Out by Karin Simonian is the last Carte Blanche Music Wildcard of 2022. It’ll feature prominently at the top of the blog for a whole week, ready for you to discover.
Recommended as well:
Beat Of My Heart
Follow Karin Simonian on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2022 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards.
single trackKarin Simonian – Beat On My Heart
Karin Simonian – Beat On My Heart
Karin Simonian is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, who appears to have emerged onto the music scene out of nowhere. For Carte Blanche Music followers however, her last name may sound familiar. This is the catch: she’s the sister of Sebu Simonian, of Capital Cities fame. He’s also the one who co-produced her debut album 11 Degrees Of Love.
The 11 tracks off this long-player will be put out one by one throughout this new year. First single Beat On My Heart was released on New Year’s Day, the second single will drop on 2/2, the third on 3/3, and so on until all eleven tracks are released by November. If you can’t wait that long, you can hear the entire album right here, but don’t tell anyone!
Beat On My Heart is a wonderful pop song, with the Sebu stamp all over it. Karin’s angelic vocals are supported by beautiful piano melodies, great guitar riffs and big drums. An impressive way to start a career.
Recommended as well:
Sebu with Eraserfase – The Worst That Could Happen To Us
Sebu feat. Sirusho – Have You Ever Hurt Somebody
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
The Unknown Project – Swimmer
Follow Karin Simonian on Instagram | Spotify
Follow Sebu on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 35):
Wildcard (week 35):
Sebu with Eraserfase – The Worst That Could Happen To Us
In his band Capital Cities, Sebu Simonian specialized in banging pop singles. As a commercial jingle composer, he knew how to write a catchy melody. I bet you’ll recognize their hit Safe And Sound.
As a solo artist however, Sebu makes music that impacts on a more emotional level. Both musically, lyrically and visually. His earlier singles The Secret Is Out and Have You Ever Hurt Somebody are great examples of how minimal music can be meaningful music. And his new song takes this concept to the next level.
The Worst That Could Happen To Us, a collaboration with Los Angeles-based producer Eraserfase, is based around a beautiful piano melody, prominent drums and lots of subtle electronic elements. Its lyrics are more in your face though, and so is the video. The clip is entirely made using the famous, 29 seconds short video of a Lebanese bride in Beirut, filmed at the exact moment an explosion destroyed most of the town. Talk about making an impact…
You can stream the song everywhere, obviously. But if you still like to extend your MP3 library, Sebu offers the track for free (and legally) in high quality via his website.
The Worst That Could Happen To Us is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Recommended as well:
Sebu feat. Sirusho – Have You Ever Hurt Somebody
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
single track
Sebu feat. Sirusho – Have You Ever Hurt Somebody
In the past decade, Sebu Simonian made a name for himself with his band Capital Cities. Most notably with their smash hit Safe And Sound. In 2020, the L.A.-based musician, singer, songwriter and record producer is preparing to share his proudest accomplishment with the world: his debut album Many Faces. The title refers to the wide range of emotions and musical styles present on the album. The record’s wonderful first single The Secret Is Out was a Carte Blanche Music Wildcard last November.
Next up is the equally beautiful song Have You Ever Hurt Somebody, which reunites him with singer/songstress Sirusho. She – like Sebu originally – is from Armenia. In the video, Sebu plays a guilt-ridden boyfriend, who sings “I would rather fight with you than make love to someone else.” At the dramatic climax, he undergoes an emotional and physical transformation, shaving off his iconic beard.
Recommended as well:
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track, wildcardWildcard (week 48):
Wildcard (week 48):
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
Armenian-American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer Sebu Simonian may not be a household name (yet). But I’m sure you know some of his music. As a commercial jingle writer, he co-wrote a demo for a cola ad. It was called Safe And Sound. When it got rejected, he formed the band Capital Cities and released the single independently. It became a worldwide hit, and the cola brand came back around to license the song for an ad after all.
Now, Sebu has his first solo single out: The Secret Is Out. A song with an equally impressive story. He says about it: “Engrossed by news about wars in the Middle East, I learned more about veterans struggling with PTSD. I decided to tackle the unconventional topic. (…) The animated music video depicts a female war veteran suffering from PTSD. She returns to the comfort of her home and the arms of her loved one, but can’t escape visions of war. It is directed by Italian animator Marco Pavone.”
The song itself features a prominent beat and fierce synth bursts, with beautiful strings on top, courtesy of Lucas Vidal. A great companion to the current autumn weather, The Secret Is Out by Sebu is this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
In the Wildcards 2019 playlist you can find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
single track
The Unknown Project – Swimmer
Apparently, I’m a fan of Sebu Simonian. You may (think you do) not know him, but check this out: he’s one half of Capital Cities. They’re well-known for their single Safe And Sound; a US hit in 2011, which conquered Europe in 2013. In fact, it just passed the ‘six-times platinum’ mark in their home country.
Nowadays, Sebu is a solo artist, with some very, very impressive projects to his name. See below for a few recommended highlights from his catalogue.
What I didn’t know however, is that next to ‘after Capital Cities’, there was also a ‘before Capital Cities’. From 2002-2004, Sebu had another band. The rock outfit released a self-titled EP in 2002, which didn’t do much, to be honest. In 2004, they recorded their debut full-length, but the band broke up before they released it. In that respect, ‘The Unknown Project’ is a very well-chosen, somewhat prophetic band name.
Come 2021, Sebu decided to release his early band’s album after all. Once again, he gave it a brilliant name: The Album That Never Was. It may not be 100% correct, since it eventually did come out, but it’s still brilliant. But an album isn’t only about its title, Before all, it’s about its music. It’s unbelievable how it already has the Sebu stamp, so early in his career.
One of the album’s stand-out tracks, Swimmer, has been chosen as the record’s single. The Unknown Project are currently recording a barebones rock performance music video to the song, that will be out shortly. Apart from this video, there are no signs of a more permanent reunion. So, alas, it’s very unlikely they will ever change their name to The Well-Known Project…
Recommended as well:
Sebu with Eraserfase – The Worst That Could Happen To Us
Sebu feat. Sirusho – Have You Ever Hurt Somebody
Sebu – The Secret Is Out [Lucas Vidal Arrangement]
Follow Sebu on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
single track
Capital Cities – Venus And River
Sebu Simonian and Ryan Merchant know how to write a catchy melody, for they started their careers as jingle writers. In 2010, they decided to form Capital Cities, who released their debut EP a year later. Lead single Safe And Sound was an instant hit.
Eight years into their second career, they still put out songs that are instantly likeable. Their latest tracks play with the ‘Venus & Mars’ theme. The Californian two man band follow up their recent single My Name Is Mars with new ditty Venus And River.
If you like fellow-Los Angeles band Saint Motel, for instance, you’re sure to like Capital Cities as well.
For more great new music follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
