X Ambassadors
Ithaca, 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 also features Harris' keyboardist brother Casey Harris, childhood friend/guitarist Noah Feldshuh, and drummer Adam Levin. Originally going by the name Ambassadors, they released a self-titled EP in 2009. To the group's surprise, their song "Litoist" garnered online buzz and was eventually put into rotation on Virginia's 96X radio station. Another song, "Unconsolable," also drew listeners, and the attention helped score the band a management deal and recording contract. 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. The following year, the group received wider exposure when "The Jungle," a collaboration with Jamie N Commons, was featured in a commercial for Dr. Dre's electronics/headphones company Beats. On the heels of this success, X Ambassadors released their third EP, The Reason. In 2015, they released their debut full-length, VHS, which featured production from Alex Da Kid and included the single "Renegades." The album reached number seven on the Billboard 200. (AMG)