Imaginary Cities
| Company type | Indie pop duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
Key people | Rusty Matyas, Marti Sarbit |
| Products | Music albums |
Imaginary Cities was an indie pop pair originating from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, consisting of Rusty Matyas, a versatile instrumentalist formerly with the Waking Eyes, and vocalist Marti Sarbit.
History
The collaboration between Matyas and Sarbit began in 2010, during which they performed live shows and recorded material for their initial album. In 2011, they supported well-known artists on tour and released Temporary Resident through Hidden Pony, an album that reached the top position on Canadian campus radio charts. This debut earned them the Western Canada Music Award for Best Pop Album and was included on the longlist for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize. To promote the album, they toured extensively across Eastern Canada and the United States, including opening performances for the Pixies.
The group appeared at prominent events such as NXNE in 2013 and cultivated a fan base in Germany. Their sophomore release, Fall of Romance (2013), produced by Howard Redekopp—recognized for his work with Tegan and Sara and the New Pornographers—helped solidify their reputation.
In 2014, Imaginary Cities teamed up with electronic musician Porter Robinson on the track "Hear the Bells." That same year, Matyas joined The Sheepdogs as a guitarist following Leot Hanson's exit.
Activities under the Imaginary Cities name concluded in 2016. The following year, Sarbit launched a new project called Lanikai. Meanwhile, Matyas confronted health issues related to alcoholism but made a comeback in 2021 with his solo endeavor Rusty Robot.
Discography
- Temporary Resident (2011)
- Fall of Romance (2013)