PRESS KIT

Indie alt-rock band in San Luis Obispo with international roots exploring life, love, & loss through music.

Contact

info@carboncitylights.com

Links

Live band performing on stage with colorful lights and fog, with several musicians playing instruments including keyboards and guitars.

BIOGRAPHY

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.

VIDEOS

LIGHT

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD

Across the Ocean

Music

Past Shows

Press

Awarding-winning alternative rock act Carbon City Lights plays Rod & Hammer Rock on April 12

“Some of Venia's youthful Middle Eastern experiences are pretty wild.“

— New Times SLO (April 10, 2025)

Carbon City Lights' new album Flame in the Winter drops Nov. 14

“It's a really moving, beautiful sounding album.“

— New Times SLO (Nov 5, 2020)

Live music is back

“The band's newest album, Flame in the Winter, is an emotive juggernaut, and their music is soulful and potent.“

— New Times SLO (May 13, 2021)

Music in the middle east

CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour interviewed Venia’s band at his childhood home in Saudi Arabia & filmed a live performance during the visit.

— CNN (2002)

Photos

Crowd watching a live band performance on stage with colorful lights and a disco ball overhead.
Group of five men standing together with a teal backlight, wearing casual jackets and shirts, posing for a photo.
Musicians performing on stage with red and blue lighting, featuring a keyboard, guitars, and other instruments. Smoke and cables visible on stage.
A large crowd of smiling people posing for a group photo outdoors, surrounded by trees and buildings. Several individuals in front are holding musical instruments, suggesting a musical event or concert.
Musician playing acoustic guitar passionately on stage with dramatic lighting.
Five men standing in front of a geometric-patterned tapestry, laughing and smiling.
Group of five men standing together, wearing casual jackets and shirts, with colorful lights in the background.
Musician passionately singing and playing an electric guitar on stage with bright lights.
Backstage view of a band performing on stage with vibrant red and blue lighting, featuring musicians playing instruments surrounded by smoke.
Bearded man playing cello outdoors during sunset
Man playing electric guitar on stage with purple stage lights and trees in the background.
Outdoor concert with a band performing under trees and an audience watching.
Band performing live on stage under blue lights, featuring a singer with a guitar, keyboardist, drummer, and two guitarists.
Band performing on stage with blue lighting, audience watching.
Black and white photo of two musicians on stage, both playing electric guitars with smoke effects and dramatic lighting.