New York City's much lauded musical collective The Citizens Band has always aimed to to entertain, but with a point. The nation is facing another Presidential election. Despite a series of landmark reforms, there is a stalemate between Congress and the White House. Unemployment is high. Morale is low. Our Citizens are fearful that democracy’s greatest enemy – apathy – may triumph.
While France enjoyed over 80% voter turn out in its recent general election, only 63% of eligible voters cast a vote in our 2008 Presidential race. The Citizens Band believe that friends don’t let friends stay home on election day and Grab A Root And Growl is a collection of 16 songs intended to enthuse and inspire. With vocals from Citizens KAREN ELSON, NINA PERSSON, ZOE KRAVITZ, AMY MILES, MARK McADAM, RACHELLE GARNIEZ, SARAH SOPHIE FLICKER, LEAH SIEGEL, MR BLUE ANGELA McCLUSKEY, RAIN PHOENIX, IAN BUCHANAN, RONIN, JORJEE DOUGLASS, JEFF PALMIOTTI, TURNER CODY, the album’s message is anti-apathy and pro-democracy.
Every song is performed with nail-on-head energy, be it reinvigorated songs from the annuals of musical history or their own original compositions. The band, already renowned for their live show prowess, came together in the studio under the expert guidance of acclaimed producer Nathan Larson, and executive producer Linda Carbone. The music is exquisitely brought to life by Citizens MARK McADAM, DAVE LeBLUE, MATT RYAN, ADAM CRYSTAL, MIKE JACKSON, JON NATCHEZ and RACHELLE GARNIEZ.
During the terrible dustbowl drought of the 1930s a handful of Texan farmers decided to forego the migration north in order to stay home and work together to revive their ailing crops. They called it “grab a root and growl”. It means power in numbers. It means fighting for what you’ve achieved so far. It means never giving up.
See Nina Persson perform a portion of album opener "I Swung The Election" for MTV:
http://www.mtvhive.com/2012/06/28/the-citizens-band-stop-watch/
Grab A Root And Growl will be released on September 18th, 2012 (Press Hear Records). The Citizens Band will donate a portion of the profits to The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. This is their debut album.
For media kit: chloe@pressherepublicity.com
http://www.thecitizensband.net
