Citizens!
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | June 2010 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Citizens! is an English indie rock ensemble originating from London, established in the summer of 2010. The group consists of Tom Burke (lead vocals), Thom Rhoades (guitar), Martyn Richmond (bass guitar), Lawrence Diamond (keyboards), and Mike Evans (drums). Their first album, Here We Are, was issued by Kitsuné on 28 May 2012 across the UK and Europe, followed by a North American release on 9 October 2012.
Lawrence James Diamond is the offspring of singer-songwriter Jim Diamond.
Formation
The band Citizens! came together in 2010 when Mike, Tom, and Lawrence—formerly members of Official Secrets Act—resolved to produce "incredible, inventive pop music." They connected with Martyn through a shared acquaintance and later recruited Thom based on a recommendation. The group firmly believes that "pop is not a derogatory term; it is sacred!"
Their name was inspired by a newspaper headline from Gotham City in a Batman comic, representing "a rallying cry, a declaration, and a definitive stance."
Aside from his musical career, lead guitarist Thom Rhoades gained recognition for finishing second in the 2013 Dorset Carp Angling Championships.
2011-12: Here We Are
At the beginning of 2011, the band inked a deal with the French indie label Kitsuné and recorded their debut album Here We Are in Scotland. The production was handled by Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, who admired their initial demos. Kapranos commended the band for their distinctive style and refreshing sound.
The album included three singles: True Romance, Reptile, and Caroline. Prior to the album’s release in the US, an EP featuring these songs was made available. Remix artists such as Goldroom, White Shadow, Gildas Loaëc, and Gigamesh helped broaden its appeal within electronic music circles.
Here We Are was met with generally positive reviews, achieving a Metacritic rating of 69 based on seven critical appraisals. Notably, True Romance secured the tenth spot on Les Inrocks' list of Best Songs in 2012.
Starting August 2011, Citizens! embarked on tours across the UK and Europe, supporting bands like The Rapture, The Maccabees, Spiritualized, and Two Door Cinema Club throughout 2012, significantly increasing their profile in important markets.
2013 – present: Second Album European Soul
After completing an extensive global tour covering Australia, Asia, and the Americas, the band announced via Twitter in April 2013 that work had begun on their sophomore album. Their follow-up record, European Soul, was released on 13 April 2015 and was accompanied by a two-month tour across Europe.
Awards and nominations
In November 2012, Citizens! earned a nomination for the "New Blood Award" recognizing Best New Band from Artrocker. The music video for True Romance, directed by We Are From L.A., garnered several honors including the 2013 Fubiz Award for Best Music Video.
Albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Here We Are
|
| 2015 | European Soul
|
EPs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Caroline EP
|
Singles
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2011 | "True Romance"
|
| 2012 | "Reptile"
|
| 2012 | "Caroline"
|
Other appearances
- Kitsuné Maison, Vol. 11: The Indie-Dance Issue (2011)
- Gildas Kitsuné Club Night Mix #2 (2011)
- Gildas Kitsuné Club Night Mix #3 (2011)
- Gildas & Jerry Kitsuné Soleil Mix (2012)
- Kitsuné Maison Compilation 14: The 10th Anniversary Issue (2012)