Band bio

Carbon City Lights is an indie alternative rock band based in San Luis Obispo, California. Lead singer, Michael Venia, was a contestant on Season 21 of NBC’s hit show, The Voice. Listeners appreciate the authenticity that comes from Venia’s thoughtful lyrics about life, loss, and love, and his powerful vocals. Live performances are energetic and dynamic with alt-rock jams featuring rocking cello and moving ballads. In 2024, they won New Times Music Awards for best live performance and best alt-rock song. Band highlights have included playing incredible music festivals and venues alongside artists such as Brett Dennen and Birdtalker.

Michael Venia's journey started with an accordion in Saudi Arabia & morphed into playing other instruments & recording on a 4-track mixer. His alt-rock middle school band performed locally, catching attention of CNN correspondent, Christianne Amanpour, who featured a piece on western music in the Middle East. Michael sees music as a force for coping as his mother struggled with severe mental illness and after losing his first son in stillbirth (More details of a happy new beginning here.), it became clear that on stage movement has been vital to healing from traumas.

Michael’s first visit to the U.S. was at age 18 before moving to Toronto, Canada where he restarted his middle school band with friends from Syria, Pakistan, & Venezuela that moved there too. To save money recording, he dropped out of business school & went to Recording Arts Canada. He later started Carbon City Lights as a solo project as singer-songwriter/producer. He met his wife, an American songwriter who grew up in Saudi, & she drew him to California where he lives with their children. Michael was cast on season 21 of the Voice, performing for Blake Shelton, John Legend, Ariana Grande & Kelly Clarkson.