One Stop.
100% ownership of masters & publishing.
Artist Highlights.
Independent producer with full ownership of masters & publishing. Instrumentals and TV mixes available on demand.
45k+ monthly listeners. Around 500k streams for “Sky Blue.”
“Sky Blue” — Best Alt-Rock Song & Best Live Performance, New Times Music Awards 2024. “Water On My Tongue” — Best Rock Song, 2026.
Performed The Killers for Blake Shelton, Ariana Grande, John Legend & Kelly Clarkson on The Voice Season 21.
Themes inspired by real experience, rooted in love, loss, and vulnerability.
Michael Venia.
Michael Venia is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter & producer with 100% ownership of both masters & publishing. Picked up guitar in Saudi Arabia, graduated from Recording Arts Canada, & now lives & performs on the Central Coast of California.
Tracks range from moody, dreamy indie alt-rock vibes stemming from grief & trauma to heartfelt chill folk love tunes.
Venia's journey started with an accordion in Saudi Arabia & morphed into playing other instruments & recording on a 4-track mixer. His alt-rock childhood band performed locally, catching attention of CNN correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, who featured a piece on western music in the Middle East.
In his journey, he is no stranger to love & loss. He lost both his parents & tragically lost his son through stillbirth. He finds music & performance to be a powerful force for coping & healing.
Carbon City Lights is an award-winning band whose track Sky Blue was named Best Alt-Rock Song in SLO County in 2024, along with winning Best Live Performance that year. In 2026, Water On My Tongue won Best Rock Song. They've performed alongside nationally recognized artists like Brett Dennen & Birdtalker.
Media Highlights.
CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour interviewed Venia's band at his childhood home in Saudi Arabia & filmed a live performance during the visit.
Music in the Middle East
Visit SLO CAL opened its Spotlight series with Michael Venia — from Saudi Arabia to a living room in San Luis Obispo, The Siren in Morro Bay, and the top of the Oceano Dunes.
SLO CAL Spotlight: Where the Music Takes You | Episode 1
“It's a really moving, beautiful sounding album.”
Carbon City Lights' new album Flame in the Winter drops Nov. 14
“The band's newest album, Flame in the Winter, is an emotive juggernaut, and their music is soulful and potent.”
Live music is back
“Some of Venia's youthful Middle Eastern experiences are pretty wild.”
Award-winning alternative rock act Carbon City Lights plays Rod & Hammer Rock on April 12
“Soulful indie alt-rock with warmth, honesty, and one of those choruses that quietly stays with you long after the song ends.”