Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Music News Report

MARS HILL MUSIC FLAGSHIP ARTIST CITIZENS RELEASES SELF-TITLED DEBUT

DEBUTS ON BILLBOARD HEATSEEKERS CHART AND WORSHIP ALBUM CHART


Citizens, Citizens
Click Here To Enlarge Album Cover


RSS Icon


NEWS SOURCE: Merge PR
March 15, 2013

SEATTLE, WA -March 15, 2013 -Earlier this year, Mars Hill Music announced its partnership with Tooth & Nail Records / BEC Recordings to share the variety of worship bands coming from Mars Hill Church. Last week Mars Hill Music digitally released their full-length debut project from CITIZENS. The self-titled debut reached No. 1 on the iTunes Christian and Gospel chart as well as debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers and Worship Albums charts. This week the album is available everywhere.

The band's LP follows the debut EP Already / Not Yet, which also climbed to the top position on the iTunes Christian & Gospel chart. CITIZENS is a high-energy indie rock worship band born in the heart of Seattle's University District. CITIZENS has quickly built a reputation for their dynamic hymn arrangements and high-intensity anthems. Zach Bolen leads the band with visible emotion and a passion that stems from a desire to see everyone worship Jesus as Lord.

When Bolen began working at the Mars Hill U-district campus, he started reconstructing the worship teams that played there, and in the process built a band of his own. Bolen wanted to write arrangements that demanded participation, where the congregation felt inspired to participate in worship. The album, a compilation of re-arranged hymns and original songs, marriages beautifully constructed lyrical truths with an energetic intensity that demands just what the band wants: participation.

Holding tightly to their purpose for being a band, Bolen stays emphatic about everything coming back to God. He notes, "We aren't trying to get people to worship the music, we're trying to get them to worship the god that created the music. There's something about music, if done in the right way… it makes us look at something bigger than us."

You can view the music video for the radio single, "Made Alive," by clicking here. Read more about CITIZENS in this Worship Leader interview. Take a look at what others are saying about CITIZENS:

"Looking for a confidence boost? Try modeling your life on these anthems, which challenge you to kneel at the cross and find confidence in Christ's redemptive work." - Relevant

"Citizens manage to find a workable balance between catchy pop music and uplifting praise and worship. Those looking for a fresh take on the genre would do well to give this album a listen." - NewReleaseTuesday

"Citizens is an album made for the Christian who has wanted to sing gospel-centered lyrics but not sacrifice artful music on the altar of conformity. Citizens, as well as Mars Hill Music, have not only offered up some great tunes - they are paving a new road in music…this album is a game-changer." -JesusFreakHideout

"These guys are a hipster Christian's dream band. I could see these songs being played in contemporary churches all over the world." -HM Magazine

"Musically, Citizens have created a patented type of indie rock that flutters with the electronic beat of Switchfoot, yet shimmers with the emotional intensity of Hillsong United. Above all, Bolen sings with a sense of honest gravitas; it is as if leading worship is more than just a day job. Rather, he sings with a deep-seated passion that can only come from a man who knows grace." -Breathecast

- ### -

CONNECT WITH CITIZENS
Facebook | Twitter

For more info on Citizens visit the JFH Artists Database.

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

News Report Archives

[2025]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 



Return to Main News Page

 

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, November 28, 2025
ALBUMS
Seth Davey Words in the Wounds (independent)
Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc Two (independent)
Illustrate, Procyse In The Name (Remixes) [Polished Arrow]
John P. Kee Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee, Part 1 [Tyscot]
Kelo The Healing Process 2: Grief [Syntax]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Concrete Dreams [Syntax]
Phil Wickham Psalm 8 - EP [Fair Trade]
Calum Wood Christmas Songs from the Kitchen Table, Vol. 1 (independent)

SINGLES
Ashes Awaken For You - Single [MTS]
Ian Austin Simpler Times (feat. Heather Suzanne) - Single [Ocean House]
Chris Caro & OnBeatMusic Flicker - Single [Syntax]
Cutright Slide Thru - Single [Syntax]
Mark Fonseca No Vacancy - Single (independent)
Hillside Recording Unto Us - Single [Ocean House]
Knaladeus & Braille Iron Sharpens Iron - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake x Skema Boy No Idols - Single [Provident]
Kemara Lynn Apply Pressure (feat. DKG KIE) - Single (independent)
Oscar Nash Peace on Earth (feat. Jemimah Paine) - Single (independent)
Saints in Exile & Cutright My Dead End (Orchestral Remix) ft. Jeannie Ortega, Jericko & Luc DiMarzio - Single [Syntax]
Silent Reflection Erase - Single [Syntax]
Tds Cam, De'Aris & Craig Watson, Wayne Klassik, & YAGIRLLAYC Prayers For My Enemies (Rapzilla Freshmen) - Single [Syntax]
TUVÍ, Yung Drew & 1KChvcho One Hundred (Rapzilla Freshmen) - Single [Syntax]
We Will Worship, Vine & Vibes (ft.Lisa Oduor-Noah) Ndiyabulela - Single (independent)

VINYL
John Schlitt The Christmas Project Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, December 5, 2025
SINGLES
29:11 Worship Glory Glory - Single [DREAM]
Cleansing Of The Temple Mary Did You Know? - Single [Rottweiler]
Heather Suzanne, Ian Austin Sleeping Child of Bethlehem - Single [Ocean House]
Living Again Dive Into - Single [Ocean House]
Seth Metoyer Flicker Of December - Single [Rottweiler/Broken Curfew]
Run51 Good News (A Christmas Medley) - Single [DREAM]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images