Citizens
Ever been on stage and felt like the room just wasn’t with you? In this conversation, Zach Bolen from Citizens reveals the secret to creating real connection, even when the room feels flat. He shares how to read the room before you lead it, what to do when energy feels off, and why authenticity always engages people more than hype.
We also unpack how Citizens learned to make every show feel like a conversation, not a performance.
Whether you’re leading worship on Sunday or playing a show on tour, this episode will help you connect deeper with any crowd and lead from a place of genuine presence.
About Citizens
Citizens, formerly known as Citizens & Saints, emerged in Seattle in 2011. They began as a worship band out of Mars Hill Church, where Zach Bolen served before stepping away. Over time, Citizens evolved into a band that blends indie rock, worship, and storytelling. They keep honesty at the core of their music, writing songs for both those inside and outside church walls. Citizens refuses to be pigeonholed. Their sound has spanned genres while staying rooted in truth.
Discography & Musical Journey
Their debut EP, Already / Not Yet, dropped shortly after they formed under Mars Hill’s label. The first full-length album, Citizens, arrived in March 2013, produced by Brian Eichelberger. In 2014 they released Join the Triumph, leaning into more synth and alt-rock textures. Later albums like A Mirror Dimly reflect depth, doubt, and perseverance in faith. In their more recent work, Citizens continues pushing creative boundaries while maintaining lyrical intimacy.
Themes, Heart & Influence
Citizens often wrestles with tension: praise and lament living side by side. They aim to speak into our doubts with honesty, not pat answers. Their music resonates with those who feel lost, wounded, or curious about faith. Citizens believes worship is as much listening as singing. Connection over spectacle. Their journey out of a church setting into broader spaces has shaped their humility and freedom.
Citizens Current Focus
Today, Citizens is fronted by vocalist Zach Bolen along with a dedicated band, releasing music rooted in the tension between hope and brokenness. Citizens continues exploring new sounds while holding fast to deep lyrical transparency. They carry forward a legacy that began in church but speaks to a wider audience. Citizens invites listeners into a shared space of worship, doubt, and redemption.
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Mentioned in the Episode
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