User:Bwegner3/sandbox

Marina City is an American pop rock band originally formed in 2012 in Plainfield, Illinois. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Ryan Argast, drummer Eric Somers-Urrea, keyboardist and vocalist Matthew "Diano" Gaudiano, guitarist Todor Birindjiev, and bassist Aaron Heiy. The band's origins trace to their involvement in the Chicago local scene and playing shows together in previous bands. The band opened for several major acts and released  a series of extended plays (In The Wake Of Dreaming, Chimera, Wanderlust, Terminal) throughout 2012-2017.

2019 saw a rebirth of the band leaning towards an Alternative Pop/R&B sound with a new line up. Marina City worked with producer Dino Zisis (Lady Gaga) and  released singles "Addicted" on Feb 22 2019, "Strawberry" on May 24 2019, and "Money" on Nov 8 2019 in preparation for a new extended play The Crush released Feb 28 2020.

2011
The original members of the band, Brian Johnson, Matthew Gaudiano, Eric Somers-Urrea, Nick Mooneyham, and Ricky Sutton initially formed under Argast’s solo project. Argast was signed to a production deal and created a live band with friends he met through Chicago local shows.

2012 - 2018
After declining to re-sign with the production team Argast formed an inclusive band with the members of his live act. Their name was inspired by the Marina City towers in downtown Chicago.

Within a few months of the group forming Marina City replaced Mooneyham with bassist Aaron Heiy. The band self-released a series of EPs and toured self booking shows all across the country. Crediting their style to acts like Pierce The Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, and Set It Off.

In 2014 Todor Birindjiev assumed duties of lead guitar after the departure of Ricky Sutton. Marina City landed a slot on the Warped Tour 2016 along with a string of festival dates for Riot Fest, SXSW, South By So What!?, CMJ Marathon, 101WKQX PIQNIQ. The sextet supported State Champs, Real Friends, Senses Fail, Go Radio, Cartel, SAYWECANFLY, Dance Gavin Dance.

2019
After taking the second half of 2018 off to regroup  Marina City blacked out all social media and took down their previous releases from the internet. The sextet took the year to rebrand itself by revisiting records from their childhood heroes and crafting a new version of Marina City.

In January 2019 the band teased their return by posting an unlit neon sign that would gradually light up a letter in MARINACITY every day. On February 22 they released the first single, “Addicted” via Atwood Magazine after supporting COIN for a free Valentine's day show.

Addicted received positive reviews from critics leading Substream to call the sextet an “Indie Powerhouse” and Atwood Magazine claiming

“THEY’RE INDIE POP WITH AN R&B TWIST, EVOKING THE BEST OF PRINCE, MICHAEL JACKSON, AND THE 1975 WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES.”

Marina City returned to Chicago on April 5th with a sold out headlining show at Chop Shop.

May 24th 2019 Marina City released the follow up single Strawberry premiering on Earmilk. Earmilk wrote “RADIATING WITH PEPPY BEATS AND SMOOTH, SEDUCTIVE VOCALS, THIS PRINCE-INSPIRED TRACK FUSES INDIE POP WITH A HINT OF R&B.” and professing “MARINA CITY’S UP-TEMPO, ENERGETIC MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL, FUNKY AND EXTREMELY IRRESISTIBLE.”

To support Strawberry Marina City released a private fan experience event on Memorial Day Weekend and then a midwest headlining tour. They supported Judah And The Lion and Lovelytheband.

October 9th Marina City began to tease their next single, Money for a release on November 8th 2019.

Marina City went on to release Money and used it as their last single before announcing their new EP, The Crush slated to be available on February 28 2020.

Marina City went to support Joywave and created their own interactive launch party for industry vets to release The Crush.

Extended Plays
In The Wake Of Dreaming (2012)

In The Wake Of Dreaming: Re-Release (2013)

Chimera (2014)

Wanderlust (2015)

Lost Doesn’t Mean Alone: Live Acoustic EP ( 2016)

Terminal (2017)

The Crush (2020)

Singles
“Addicted” (2019)

“Strawberry” (2019)

“Money” (2019)

Current Members
Ryan Argast - Lead Vocals (2012-present)

Matthew Gaudiano - Keyboards, Synthesisers, Sampler, Backing Vocals (2012-present)

Eric Somers - Drums, Percussion, Sampler (2012-present)

Aaron Heiy - Bass (2012-present)

Todor Birindjiev - Lead Guitar (2014-present)

Former Members
Nick Mooneyham - Bass (2012)

Ricky Sutton - Lead Guitar (2012-2014)

Brian Johnson - Rhythm Guitar (2012-2019)