Biography

We Were Pirates is the musical brainchild of Mike Boggs, a multi-instrumentalist who writes and records songs in the DC area. Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune rock critic & co-host of Sound Opinions, described one song on Boggs' 2009 debut album as, “Pure pop...This should be the next Fountains of Wayne single; genius.” Wired magazine featured We Were Pirates after the release of the second album, Change. It 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 & recorded an original film score for the Calvin & Hobbes documentary, ‘Dear Mr. Watterson.' This American Life featured We Were Pirates again, when they played ‘A Strange Experience’ from the film score. 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 We Were Pirates. 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, & peace of mind. TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion) mastered the album. We Were Pirates live shows feature Kate Rears Burgman on bass, Pat Frank on drums, & Scott Greenberg playing guitar.