Emerging in the music world as founder and frontman of New York City post-punk revival band the Virgins in the late aughts, Donald Cumming is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and multifaceted performer. A true product of N.Y.C., Manhattan-born Cumming grew up in Tribeca. His teen years were filled with clubbing, especially at the hipster spot Don Hill's and their very successful '80s Night. He became a model for Ryan McGinley, a photographer known for his striking portraits of N.Y.C.'s youth. When McGinley landed his debut show at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the photographs of Cumming were featured, and one was used as the cover of his first book in 2002. Cumming found his way into independent film as well, acting in the 2006 Sundance Film Festival award-winning short Bugcrush and serving as cinematographer for the 2007 documentary Billy the Kid.

Around this time, during a photo shoot in Mexico, Cumming met future Virgins guitarist Wade Oates. With bassist Nick Zarin-Ackerman and drummer Erik Ratensperger, they formed the Virgins and released a well-received self-titled EP in 2007, having yet to perform live. The Virgins only had two loft party gigs under their belt before their monumental third show, a showcase alongside Patti Smith and Sonic Youth during Paris Fashion Week. They then hit the road, and while they were playing clubs and opening for the likes of Mark Ronson, Tokyo Police Club, and Tapes 'n Tapes, the producers of the Gossip Girl television series thought the artsy but not uptight band perfect for their show and featured the Virgins' music in an episode. Atlantic Records soon signed them and work began on the band's debut album with S*A*M Sluggo as producers.

Full of late-'70s new wave influence and rock & roll swagger, the Virgins' self-titled LP was released in June of 2008. It led to U.S. TV appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, and later Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. After a few years of international music festival appearances and tours, and lineup changes leaving Cumming as the only constant member, a sophomore Virgins album titled Strike Gently was released on Cult Records in 2013. More touring followed, including shows in support of the Killers highlighted by a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In late 2013, Cumming announced that the band had split and he intended to pursue a solo career.

After making his live solo debut at 2014's Bonnaroo music festival, his first solo album, Out Calls Only, was recorded at East Village Recording Center and Manhattan's Sullivan Street Studios, and released via Washington Square (an imprint of Razor Tie) in June of 2015. ~ Marcy Donelson & David Jeffries, Rovi