# Sebu Simonian

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Armenian-American musician

Sebu Simonian Simonian in 2024 Background information Born Sebu Simonian (1978-10-15) October 15, 1978 (age 47) Aleppo, Syria[1] Origin Los Angeles, U.S.[2] Occupations Musician singer songwriter record producer [3] Instruments Keyboards vocals Member of Capital Cities

Musical artist

**Sebu Simonian** (born October 15, 1978;[4] [Armenian](/source/Armenian_language): Սեպուհ Սիմոնեան)[5] is an Armenian-American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter, one-half of the Los Angeles-based [indie pop](/source/Indie_pop) duo [Capital Cities](/source/Capital_Cities_(band)).

## Early life

Simonian was born in 1978 in [Aleppo](/source/Aleppo),[1] [Syria](/source/Syria), to Armenian parents from [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon),[6][7][8] whose ancestors were survivors of the [Armenian genocide](/source/Armenian_genocide).[1] His paternal grandfather was from the region of [Cilicia](/source/Cilicia) (in present-day Turkey's [Çukurova](/source/%C3%87ukurova) region).[1][9] Simonian's parents were from [Beirut](/source/Beirut), [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), but "because of a [civil war](/source/Lebanese_Civil_War) [his] mum had to flee and [he] happened to be born in Syria."[10] Soon after his birth his family returned to Lebanon where they stayed until 1985[11] and moved to the United States due to the civil war there.[6]

Simonian grew up in [Los Angeles County](/source/Los_Angeles_County).[6] His family is involved in the Armenian community,[12] while Simonian himself was an editorial assistant at the English Section of the Armenian daily *[Asbarez](/source/Asbarez)* in the late 1990s.[13] He graduated from [Glendale High School](/source/Glendale_High_School_(Glendale%2C_California)).[1][14] He is an alumnus of the [California State University, Northridge](/source/California_State_University%2C_Northridge),[15] where he studied music.[14]

## Career

Simonian started his first band when he was 15.[11] In 2004,[16] Simonian (as lead singer and keyboardist) and Ryan Welker, guitarist and backing vocals, formed the rock[17] band Aviatic.[15]

Simonian met Ryan Merchant in 2008 through [Craigslist](/source/Craigslist) while searching for a job as a music producer.[18] Initially, they worked as jingle writers and wrote songs for other bands.[19] They formed the indie pop duo [Capital Cities](/source/Capital_Cities_(band)) in 2010.[11] Simonian was featured on [Brian Wilson](/source/Brian_Wilson)'s 2015 album [No Pier Pressure](/source/No_Pier_Pressure), performing and producing the track "Runaway Dancer".[20] In 2017, Simonian was featured on Armenian singer [Sirusho](/source/Sirusho)'s single "Vuy Aman".[21]

## Personal life

Simonian is married and has two sons.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Simonian wears a long beard, which has gained significant media attention.[22][23] *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* magazine named his beard the best at the 2014 [Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival](/source/Coachella_Valley_Music_and_Arts_Festival) and described it as "luxuriant [and] [Rasputin](/source/Rasputin)-like" and rabbi-like.[24] When asked why he doesn't shave, he responded "I'm just lazy" and added that he sees himself as "a little bit of" a [hipster](/source/Hipster_(contemporary_subculture)).

## Filmography

As himself Year Title Notes 2017 Nice Evening (Լավ Երեկո) Special guest

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Shant_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Shant_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Shant_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Shant_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Shant_1-4) ["Subu Simonian Interview with "Armenians of the World" program"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY3yLIQJWAQ) (in Armenian). [Shant TV](/source/Shant_TV). November 2, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Baltin, Steve (August 31, 2014). ["Made in America L.A.: Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Afrojack Rock Day 1"](http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6236524/made-in-america-downtown-los-angeles-imagine-dragons-kendrick-lamar-afrojack-rock-day-1). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved December 4, 2014. ...L.A. resident Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Cozette, Maria (June 16, 2014). ["Music Box with Maria Cozette- Guest, Sebu Simonian (Capital Cities)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abRMk0oGicQ). *SoulfulPop*. Horizon Television. Retrieved August 28, 2014. Sebu Simonian of the Grammy nominated duo, Capital Cities, is a Singer/ Songwriter/ Producer...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Sebu Simonian profile on Facebook"](https://www.facebook.com/Sebu/info).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Սեպուհ Սիմոնեան Պիտի Մասնակցի Հայ Դատի "Ֆիլմ Եւ Արուեստներ" Խորհրդակցութեանց](http://asbarez.com/arm/175473/). *[Asbarez](/source/Asbarez)* (in Armenian). October 21, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rollingstoneme_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rollingstoneme_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rollingstoneme_6-2) Sadeghi, Shirin (July 17, 2013). ["Capital Cities' Feel Good Hit of the Summer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071311/http://www.rollingstoneme.com/music/capital-cities-feel-good-hit-of-the-summer). *[Rolling Stone Middle East](/source/Rolling_Stone_Middle_East)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rollingstoneme.com/music/capital-cities-feel-good-hit-of-the-summer) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Corona, Angelica (May 31, 2013). ["Interview with Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities"](http://lamusicblog.com/2013/05/interview/interview-with-sebu-simonian-of-capital-cities/). *LA Music Blog*. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Lopez, Korina. ["On the Verge: Meet dance-pop duo Capital Cities"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/06/22/on-the-verge-meet-dance-pop-duo-capital-cities/2440921/). *USA TODAY*. Retrieved February 15, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-168.am_9-0)** Trvants, Anush (August 28, 2014). ["Սեպուհ Սիմոնյան. Ուզում եմ լինել աշխարհի քաղաքացի, բայց առանց հայությունից ազատագրվելու"](http://168.am/2014/08/28/400525.html). *168.am* (in Armenian). Retrieved December 4, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Phillips, Noel (September 24, 2013). ["Interview with Sebu Simonian: The singer and producer of Capital Cities, on their new album 'In a Tidal Wave Of Mystery'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140903101227/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2013/09/25/interview-with-sebu-simonian-the-singer-and-producer-of-capital-cities-on-their-new-album-%E2%80%98in-a-tidal-wave-of-mystery%E2%80%99/). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. Archived from [the original](http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2013/09/25/interview-with-sebu-simonian-the-singer-and-producer-of-capital-cities-on-their-new-album-%E2%80%98in-a-tidal-wave-of-mystery%E2%80%99/) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-usatoday_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-usatoday_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-usatoday_11-2) Lopez, Korina (June 22, 2013). ["On the Verge: Meet dance-pop duo Capital Cities"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/06/22/on-the-verge-meet-dance-pop-duo-capital-cities/2440921/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Chaderjian, Paul (November 9, 2013). ["Sebu Simonian: From AYF Camp to the Top of the Music Charts with Capital Cities"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3uwWHyjX_U). *[CivilNet](/source/CivilNet)*. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian to be Panelist at ANCA Grassroots"](http://asbarez.com/115190/capital-cities-sebu-simonian-to-be-panelist-at-anca-grassroots/). *[Asbarez](/source/Asbarez)*. October 18, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kenphillipsgroup_2014_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kenphillipsgroup_2014_14-1) ["Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062137/http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/capsg1013.htm). *kenphillipsgroup.com*. Ken Phillips Publicity Group. October 18, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.kenphillipsgroup.com/capsg1013.htm) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sundial_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sundial_15-1) Mancina, Kristin (September 20, 2005). ["Rockers Aviatic draw large fan base to the Roxy"](http://sundial.csun.edu/2005/09/rockersaviaticdrawlargefanbasetotheroxy/). *The Daily Sundial*. [California State University, Northridge](/source/California_State_University%2C_Northridge). Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Aviatic – Biography"](http://artists.letssingit.com/aviatic-tv8b7/biography). *LetsSingIt*. January 16, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Big, big rock"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/01/05/big-big-rock/). *[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)*. January 5, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Ragogna, Mike (March 14, 2014). ["Talking With Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian, a Chat with Michael Maguire, The Who's Tommy Revisited, and the Teacarina"](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/talking-with-capital-citi_b_4964892.html). *[The Huffington Post](/source/The_Huffington_Post)*. Retrieved December 3, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Imbong, Peter (January 11, 2014). ["Capital Cities: Unabashedly Cheery"](https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/47747-capital-cities-unabashedly-cheery/). [Rappler](/source/Rappler). Retrieved December 3, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nytimes_20-0)** Pareles, John (April 6, 2015). ["Review: Brian Wilson's Nostalgic, Reflective 'No Pier Pressure'"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/arts/music/review-brian-wilsons-nostalgic-reflective-no-pier-pressure.html). *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Տեսահոլովակի պրեմիերա. Սիրուշո և Սեբու' "Վույ աման""](http://life.panorama.am/hy/news/2017/07/05/sirusho-sebu/631604). *Panorama.am*. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Spence-Jones, George A (October 18, 2013). ["AMS Album of the Week: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery"](http://felixonline.co.uk/music/3904/ams-album-of-the-week-in-a-tidal-wave-of-mystery/). *[Felix](/source/Felix_(newspaper))*. ...Sebu Simonian (a fabulous name only rivalled by his cracking beard)...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Subijano, Cai (January 17, 2014). ["Capital Cities: How to compose the sweet sound of success"](http://www.philstar.com/young-star/2014/01/17/1279558/capital-cities-how-compose-sweet-sound-success). *[The Philippine Star](/source/The_Philippine_Star)*. Retrieved December 4, 2014. ...Sebu's impressive facial hair...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["50 Best Things We Saw at Coachella 2014: Best Beard: Capital Cities"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/50-best-things-we-saw-at-coachella-2014-20140414/best-beard-capital-cities-0588247). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. April 14, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.

v t e Capital Cities Ryan Merchant Sebu Simonian Studio albums In a Tidal Wave of Mystery (2013) Solarize (2018) Singles "Safe and Sound" "Kangaroo Court" "One Minute More"

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Norway Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sebu Simonian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebu_Simonian) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebu_Simonian?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.