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Richmond, Virginia based The Trillions siphon sounds from their favorite high-intensity bands: some pop wizardry from The Strokes, big-and-loud drums from Led Zeppelin and The Who, a dose of bombastic shred and guitar feedback from Pinkerton-era Weezer, smears of vocal attitude from The Buzzcocks, all drizzled with some topical lyrics and harmonies à la The Beatles, The Zombies, or Dr. Dog. In 2013, they were named as one of Virginia's top 12 bands you should listen to now by Paste magazine. The band recently toured with J Roddy Walston and the Business. That tour included a sold out show at New York’s famous Bowery Ballroom, as well as, sold out shows in Boston and Richmond. Since 2010, the band has also opened up for national touring acts such as The Head and The Heart, Girl Talk, Best Coast, Motion City Soundtrack, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Jukebox the Ghost, and many others. The Trillions feature Charlie Glenn (guitar, vocals), Chris Smith (guitar, vocals), Robbie King (bass) and Jacob Shank (drummer).

New England-based Magic Man was started by childhood friends Alex Caplow (vocals) and Sam Vanderhoop Lee (guitars and keyboards) while they traveled abroad trading labor for room and board on a series of French organic farms, creating the music for what would become Magic Man during their travels.  When Caplow and Lee decided to take the band on the road, they added college friend Justine Bowe on keyboard and Joey Sulkowski on drums.  Magic Man recently released their You Are Here EP on Columbia Records ahead of their forthcoming full length.

We Were Pirates is the musical brainchild of Mike Boggs, a multi-instrumentalist who writes and records songs in his home studio in the DC area. Boggs has released three albums, an EP, and a film score for ‘Dear Mr. Watterson.’

Boggs’ 2009 debut album, Cutting Ties, features a version of ‘The Three of Us,’ a cover song that Boggs recorded which was featured on the public radio show, This American Life. Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune rock critic and co-host of Sound Opinions described the cover as, “Pure pop.” And said, “This should be the next Fountains of Wayne single; genius.”

Wired magazine featured We Were Pirates following the release of the second album, Change. The feature said, “You heard this band’s public radio-friendly pop on This American Life...So don’t miss ‘Better Off Without You’ from the new album. Catchy synths will have your crew dancing a jig.”

In 2013, Boggs wrote and recorded an original film score for ‘Dear Mr. Watterson.’ The film is a documentary about the impact of the comic strip, Calvin & Hobbes. This American Life featured We Were Pirates again, when they played ‘A Strange Experience’ from the film score on Episode 512. We Were Pirates performed songs from ‘Dear Mr. Watterson’ live at screenings of the film.

On 2016’s Matter, Boggs explores a mellow, electronic aesthetic. Following the release, NPR’s Morning Edition interviewed Boggs and We Were Pirates bassist, Kate Rears Burgman. The band also played a string of live shows, including one at The Kennedy Center in DC.

We Were Pirates is starting out 2019 by releasing a new EP that finds Boggs returning to a more organic sound. Gone features five new songs about the pursuit of love, pain, and peace of mind. TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion) mastered the album.

We Were Pirates live shows feature Burgman on bass, Pat Frank on drums, and Scott Greenberg playing guitar.

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