Author: Bridget Benevides
Cover Photo by Emma Pierce
You know that really cool commercial for the Jeep Renegade that you saw every single day on the television a few years ago? You know how, despite the fact that you saw the same commercial over and over you never got tired of it? It was probably because of the really great song that played in the background, right? That was X Ambassadors and they are coming to Seattle!
New York-based X Ambassadors make passionate, dark, electronic-based pop centered around the throaty, soulful vocals of Sam Harris. Formed in 2009, X Ambassadors originally featured Harris’ keyboardist brother Casey Harris, childhood friend/guitarist Noah Feldshuh, and drummer Adam Levin. Initially calling themselves Ambassadors, they released a self-titled EP in 2009.
In 2013, the newly minted X Ambassadors released their sophomore EP, Love Songs Drug Songs, on Interscope. They then joined Imagine Dragons and Jimmy Eat World on tour.
In 2015, they released their debut full-length, VHS, which featured production from Alex da Kid and included the hit singles “Renegades” and “Unsteady.” The album reached number seven on the Billboard 200 and was re-released as a special edition in 2016 with five additional songs, including an appearance from Tom Morello.
X Ambassadors’ debut album VHS reflected on the events that shaped lead vocalist and lyricist Sam Harris and his older brother, keyboardist Casey Harris’ life growing up in Ithaca, NY. The gold-certified album, which Rolling Stone called “bombastic rock that’s as stomping as it is diaristic, leavened by big-tent pop hooks and a hint of hip-hop swagger,” debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and spawned the platinum-selling “Renegades,” which spent 12 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Alternative chart, and the double-platinum “Unsteady.”
The success of VHSsent X Ambassadors on a nearly two-year touring odyssey that found them winning over fans around the world and performing at the Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Life is Beautiful, and Shaky Knees festivals, among others, and establishing themselves as a world-class rock band. X Ambassadors recently released the impassioned “Ahead of Myself,” the first single off their forthcoming sophomore set. X Ambassadors returned to Ithaca this fall to co-headline their inaugural Cayuga Sound Festival with The Roots, giving back to the community that nurtured their talent.
Fans of X- Ambassadors also like artists like Kodaline, Amber Run and Bad Suns.
X Ambassadors is coming to The Showbox Sodo on Sunday, May 6th. They will be performing with Jacob Banks and Shaed. All ages are welcome to attend this show! Doors open at 6:30pm and the show will start at 7:30pm.
Find ticket prices and information HERE. You can connect with the band on their official website here!!
BRIDGET BENEVIDES| Living like we’re renegades | KXSU Music Reporter