Nick Hamm said since starting as a pop-punk band, Toledo, Ohio band Citizen has evolved.
“It was definitely not unique in any sense,” he said.
He said the band moved forward while drawing inspiration from 90s rock and emo bands that they didn’t know about.
Ever since Hamm’s first guitar at nine years old, he knew he had a future in music. Getting brother and bassist Eric Hamm, vocalist Mat Kerekes, guitarist Ryland Oehlers, and second bassist Cray Wilson together was only the beginning for a band from Toledo, an area considered a wasteland for musical upbringings.
“A lot of our songs are about where we’re from and how we cope with the frustrations of not really having a thriving music scene here,” Hamm said.
“I think we have a pretty Midwest sound — there aren’t a lot of bands coming from our area.”
Toledo is not the only city that has grown out of its musical shell over the years, Hamm has found a way to feel comfortable and develop as a personality on stage.
“Being on stage helps me loosen up. I’m a pretty awkward person, and when we’re performing I’m in a totally different mindset – and I think the other guys are too,” he said.
“It helps express ourselves, and it’s cool having people sing along and feel the same way we do.”
Hamm remains convinced that although his music is “getting noisier and aggressive as a band,” Citizen still manages to grasp inspirations beyond the genre classifications of the band.
“A lot of bands we play with across the country are so concerned with the scene they’re a part of and the bands they look up to, and wanting to be a part of that,” he said.
“Citizen isn’t as concerned with scene boundaries, and I think it’s really important to look at outside inspiration.”
The band, through its tours and endeavours, has met colleagues and friends who have changed Hamm and his personality forever, encouraging them never to look back.
“We’ve met a lot of friends in the past year, and I think they’re friendships who have impacted my character and I think that’s awesome. Anyone who’s in music should open up to letting their friendships connect with their personalities.”
With their first Canadian tour ever, and an Ottawa debut at Pressed Cafe on Gladstone Ave. Nov. 10, Citizen continues to uphold their standards on bringing an energetic and enticing show experience for all who attend.
“We don’t ever want to make it a handful to come to one of our shows,” Hamm said.
“We try and make them as fun as possible and as cheap as possible so that everyone can get in and it’s just a good time.”
On looking forward, Hamm expects Citizen to move away from the expectations of their music scene, and move in to focusing on being an individual band, with a sound unparalleled to anyone around them.
“Hopefully in five years we’re still writing, recording, putting out records and being involved with our city and still have the momentum we have now.”
