Sebu Simonian

Sebu Simonian (born October 15, 1978;[3] Armenian: Սեպուհ Սիմոնեան)[4] is an Armenian-American musician, singer, songwriter,[5] and record producer,[6] one-half of the Los Angeles-based indie pop duo Capital Cities.

Sebu Simonian
Simonian in 2013
Background information
Birth nameSebu Simonian
Born (1978-10-15) October 15, 1978
Aleppo, Syria[1]
OriginLos Angeles[2]
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • programming
  • vocals
LabelsCapitol
Associated actsCapital Cities, Sirusho

Early life

Simonian was born in 1978 in Aleppo,[1] Syria to Armenian-Lebanese parents,[7][8] whose ancestors were survivors of the Armenian Genocide.[1] His paternal grandfather was from the region of Cilicia (in present-day Turkey's Çukurova region).[1][9] Simonian's parents were from Beirut, Lebanon, but "because of a 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.[7]

Simonian grew up in Los Angeles County.[7] 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 in the late 1990s.[13] He graduated from Glendale High School.[1][14] He is an alumnus of the California State University, Northridge,[5] where he studied music.[14]

Music career

Simonian started his first band when he was 15.[11] In 2004,[15] Simonian (as lead singer and keyboardist) and Ryan Welker, guitarist and backing vocals, formed the rock[16] band Aviatic.[5]

Simonian met Ryan Merchant in 2008 through Craigslist while searching for a job as a music producer.[17] Initially, they worked as jingle writers and wrote songs for other bands.[18] They formed the indie pop duo Capital Cities in 2010.[11] In 2017, Simonian was featured on Armenian singer Sirusho's single "Vuy Aman".[19]

Personal life

Simonian is married with two sons.

Simonian wears a long beard, which has gained significant media attention.[20][21] Rolling Stone magazine named his beard the best at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and described it as "luxuriant [and] Rasputin-like".[22] 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.

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

References
  1. "Subu Simonian Interview with "Armenians of the World" program" (in Armenian). Shant TV. 2 November 2014.
  2. Baltin, Steve (31 August 2014). "Made in America L.A.: Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Afrojack Rock Day 1". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2014. ...L.A. resident Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities...
  3. "Sebu Simonian profile on Facebook".
  4. Սեպուհ Սիմոնեան Պիտի Մասնակցի Հայ Դատի "Ֆիլմ Եւ Արուեստներ" Խորհրդակցութեանց. Asbarez (in Armenian). 21 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. Mancina, Kristin (20 September 2005). "Rockers Aviatic draw large fan base to the Roxy". The Daily Sundial. California State University, Northridge. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  6. Cozette, Maria (16 June 2014). "Music Box with Maria Cozette- Guest, Sebu Simonian (Capital Cities)". SoulfulPop. Horizon Television. Retrieved 28 August 2014. Sebu Simonian of the Grammy nominated duo, Capital Cities, is a Singer/ Songwriter/ Producer...
  7. Sadeghi, Shirin (17 July 2013). "Capital Cities' Feel Good Hit of the Summer". Rolling Stone Middle East. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  8. Corona, Angelica (31 May 2013). "Interview with Sebu Simonian of Capital Cities". LA Music Blog. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. Trvants, Anush (28 August 2014). "Սեպուհ Սիմոնյան. Ուզում եմ լինել աշխարհի քաղաքացի, բայց առանց հայությունից ազատագրվելու". 168.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  10. Phillips, Noel (24 September 2013). "Interview with Sebu Simonian: The singer and producer of Capital Cities, on their new album 'In a Tidal Wave Of Mystery'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  11. Lopez, Korina (22 June 2013). "On the Verge: Meet dance-pop duo Capital Cities". USA Today. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  12. Chaderjian, Paul (9 November 2013). "Sebu Simonian: From AYF Camp to the Top of the Music Charts with Capital Cities". CivilNet. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  13. "Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian to be Panelist at ANCA Grassroots". Asbarez. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  14. "Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery". kenphillipsgroup.com. Ken Phillips Publicity Group. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  15. "Aviatic - Biography". LetsSingIt. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  16. "Big, big rock". Chicago Tribune. 5 January 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  17. Ragogna, Mike (14 March 2014). "Talking With Capital Cities' Sebu Simonian, a Chat with Michael Maguire, The Who's Tommy Revisited, and the Teacarina". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  18. Imbong, Peter (11 January 2014). "Capital Cities: Unabashedly Cheery". Rappler. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  19. "Տեսահոլովակի պրեմիերա. Սիրուշո և Սեբու` "Վույ աման"". Panorama.am. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  20. Spence-Jones, George A (18 October 2013). "AMS Album of the Week: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery". Felix. ...Sebu Simonian (a fabulous name only rivalled by his cracking beard)...
  21. Subijano, Cai (17 January 2014). "Capital Cities: How to compose the sweet sound of success". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 December 2014. ...Sebu’s impressive facial hair...
  22. "50 Best Things We Saw at Coachella 2014: Best Beard: Capital Cities". Rolling Stone. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
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