Citizens Release an Unique Album of Phone Demos

Integrity Music announces the signing of Seattle-based band Citizens as the group releases its unique project, The Joy of Being (Phone Demos). The band set out to make a record of songs for the church to sing, without music and production overcoming the lyrics. To accomplish this goal, Citizens recorded this project on iPhones acoustically in an empty church. The Joy of Being (Phone Demos) features a collection of songs with lyric, melody and basic instrumentation that anyone could connect with and lead. As worship is moving from the sanctuary to the living room in this quarantine season, songs of substance and simple arrangements are more and more vital.
"We wanted to make something that disrupted the norms of modern church music, specifically all the fanfare we (talking to ourselves here too) have put around production," shares Zach Bolen of Citizens. "So we went in and recorded it on iPhones acoustically and called it a day on the production. All that for one big reason, we wanted to give the listener a coloring book to be filled in how they would choose. Rather than make all the creative decisions for how these songs would exist in the church, we wanted to make a record that left room for people to imagine and create a sound that best represents each church and the people that are being led. At the end of the day, the lyric is what drives church songs, not the music."
Citizens wanted to get back to the middle ground themselves with this album. They wanted to find contentment in the absence of production and the honesty of an unrefined voice lifted up in praise to God.
"Our job is to faithfully write the best possible songs we can for the church," continues Bolen. "This record is for the listener. Not just the worship leader or even the Christian. It's for the world to hear, to believe, to worship. These songs are to be used in whatever way the listener wants."
Citizens will be following up the Phone Demos release with its own musical interpretations of the songs in September with the studio release of The Joy of Being. For a copy of one of the Phone Demos videos, you can text Citizens member Zach Bolen directly at 206-488-9089, and you can send back your own phone arrangement of the song.
Tags : Citizens citizens new album Integrity Music The Joy of Being (Phone Demos)
Hot Trends
-
Cochren and Co. Set to Make National Debut
-
Newsboys Release New Single with Adam Agee as Lead Vocalist, "How Many Times"
-
Dustin Starks Releases New Single, "Patiently Waiting"
-
Bethel Music's Emmy Rose Drops Live Version of "Tend"
-
Chris Tomlin Contributes New Song to Film "The Last Supper"
-
John Crist X Sadie Robertson Huff: Humor, Healing & Authenticity
-
Chandler Moore's "Lead Me On" is #1
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
New Song "Turn" By Joel Vaughn Now Available
-
Blanca Taps Taylor Hill For Stunning Worship Anthem, “This Won’t Take My Praise”
-
"The Mosaic Church" Explores One of the Greatest Archaeological Finds of the 21st Century - the Megiddo Mosaic
-
Phil King Reveals How "Miscarriages" Has Been Impacting Listeners in Exclusive Interview
-
Carroll McGruder, of the McGruders, Passes Away
-
Carlos Santana Talks about How Christian Faith Saved Him After Seven Suicide Attempts
-
"Zach Williams Revival Nights" Fall 2025 Tour Features We The Kingdom, Ben Fuller, and Leanna Crawford
Most Popular
-
Cochren and Co. Set to Make National Debut
-
Newsboys Release New Single with Adam Agee as Lead Vocalist, "How Many Times"
-
Dustin Starks Releases New Single, "Patiently Waiting"
-
Bethel Music's Emmy Rose Drops Live Version of "Tend"
-
Chris Tomlin Contributes New Song to Film "The Last Supper"
-
John Crist X Sadie Robertson Huff: Humor, Healing & Authenticity
-
Chandler Moore's "Lead Me On" is #1
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
New Song "Turn" By Joel Vaughn Now Available
-
Blanca Taps Taylor Hill For Stunning Worship Anthem, “This Won’t Take My Praise”
-
"The Mosaic Church" Explores One of the Greatest Archaeological Finds of the 21st Century - the Megiddo Mosaic
-
Phil King Reveals How "Miscarriages" Has Been Impacting Listeners in Exclusive Interview
-
Carroll McGruder, of the McGruders, Passes Away
-
Carlos Santana Talks about How Christian Faith Saved Him After Seven Suicide Attempts
-
"Zach Williams Revival Nights" Fall 2025 Tour Features We The Kingdom, Ben Fuller, and Leanna Crawford