Capital Cities/ABC Inc.

Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
Capital Cities/ABC Inc. · Public domain · source
Name	Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Years active	2008–present
Genres	Synth-pop, Indie pop, Electropop
Labels	Capitol Records, Capitol

Capital Cities/ABC Inc. is an American pop duo and entertainment company formed in Los Angeles, California. The group achieved mainstream success with their international hit single "Safe and Sound" and expanded activities into production and media under the company name. Their work intersects with contemporary pop, electronic music, and music-video production, engaging with artists, festivals, broadcasters, and advertising partners.

History

The project began in 2008 when members met amid the Los Angeles music scenes linked to venues such as the Hollywood Palladium, Troubadour (West Hollywood), and events like South by Southwest. Early releases circulated on platforms associated with Myspace, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp, leading to attention from labels including Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, and promotional support from broadcasters like MTV, BBC Radio 1, and SiriusXM. Touring networks brought them to festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury Festival, and collaborations tied them to producers and songwriters with credits on Grammy Awards nominees. The group's expansion into a corporate entity paralleled moves by contemporaries who diversified into publishing houses, film production, and branded partnerships with companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple Inc..

Members and Personnel

Core creative personnel include two principal artists who have worked with engineers and collaborators from studios linked to Abbey Road Studios, Electric Lady Studios, and session musicians associated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and touring ensembles that backed acts such as Daft Punk, Phoenix (band), Coldplay, and Tame Impala. Management and executive roles have involved industry figures with backgrounds at Creative Artists Agency, William Morris Endeavor, and record label executives formerly of Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Visual collaborators have included directors and designers known for work with Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, and art directors who contributed to campaigns for Vogue (magazine), Rolling Stone, and The New York Times features.

Musical Style and Influences

Their sound blends elements drawn from influential acts and movements including Prince, Peter Gabriel, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, and electronic producers such as Brian Eno and Kraftwerk. Rhythmic and production techniques reference traditions found in disco artists like Chic and studio innovations associated with Phil Spector and the Motown era, while melodic sensibilities echo indie pop acts such as The Postal Service, Belle and Sebastian, and Phoenix (band). Songwriting shows parallels with pop auteurs like Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder, and arrangements sometimes cite horn and string usage reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire and orchestral pop as practiced by George Martin-produced artists. Electronic textures reflect contemporary producers who have worked with Kanye West, Mark Ronson, and Calvin Harris.

Major Works and Discography

Notable releases include their breakout single "Safe and Sound", featured alongside other singles and albums distributed through labels such as Capitol Records and marketed via partnerships with platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Their discography has been promoted through sync placements in television series like Grey's Anatomy, Glee, and The Vampire Diaries, commercials aired during events such as the Super Bowl and tie-ins with film soundtracks associated with studios like Warner Bros. Pictures and 20th Century Studios. Releases have been produced with mixers and engineers who have credits on albums by U2, Radiohead, and R.E.M..

Awards and Recognition

Singles and releases received nominations and awards from institutions including the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and regional music critic circles such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association when works intersected with film. Chart success was tracked by Billboard (magazine), and certifications were issued by organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America and the British Phonographic Industry. Industry recognition also came via placements on year-end lists from publications such as Pitchfork, NME, and Rolling Stone.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The duo's hit single became emblematic of early 2010s pop crossover, influencing playlists curated by NPR Music, KEXP, and college radio stations affiliated with the National Association of Broadcasters. Their multimedia approach informed strategies used by artists who later pursued cross-platform ventures with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and interactive campaigns for brands including Disney and Samsung. Academic discussions in musicology and media studies referenced their work in analyses published by journals connected to University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, and the Berklee College of Music, while retrospective compilations by labels and curators placed them alongside contemporaries such as Foster the People, MGMT, Empire of the Sun, and The Killers.

Category:American musical duos Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles