Citizen

Formed in 2009 between Toledo, Ohio, and southeastern Michigan, Citizen initially emerged from the American emo and post-hardcore scene before gradually broadening their palette toward a denser alternative rock informed by soft grunge, shoegaze and a more measured melodic songwriting. Centered on singer Mat Kerekes, with Nick Hamm, Eric Hamm, Mason Mercer and Ben Russin in its current lineup, Citizen released a first demo in 2009, the EP Young States in 2011 and a split with Turnover in 2012 after signing to Run for Cover Records. The debut album, Youth (2013), established a tense, frontal sound in the wake of the emo revival, while Everybody Is Going to Heaven (2015) amplified abrasive, hazy textures. With As You Please (2017) Citizen shifted toward a broader approach at the intersection of indie rock and alternative rock, a progression continued on Life in Your Glass World (2021) and Calling the Dogs (2023), the latter more direct in its construction. Having played stages such as Bled Fest and the Vans Warped Tour and toured with Turnover, The Story So Far, Taking Back Sunday and Movements, Citizen sits at the crossroads of punk, emo and indie-rock circuits.