Common Citizens is a youngblood, next-school trio born out of Ottawa, Ontario. The band is Cameron “Campayne†Sloan, Chad “Lars†Skinner and Derek “Delay†Born. They began making music together as high school friends, working in different combinations to record freestyles over sampled beats they found online. They have grown into intensely symbiotic creative partners, constantly playing with new sounds to make new music.
Their do-it-yourself background brings an updated, progressive hip hop sound of fully-developed beats and inimitable melodies. Their self-taught production is striking (and not crippled by the misguided reverb-dependence often found with new musicians). They bring together singing keyboards, squealing synths, resounding drums and swelling vocals to surround the listener in serious sound. With a broad range of indie label and underground influences, Common Citizens produces an uncommon blend of hip hop, electronica, and indie rock.
Their debut album, People Like Us, was released by founding members Campayne and Lars. Delay, an old member of Lars’ former hip hop crew, has joined the latest efforts toward their next record to add the intensity and speed of a spitfire. Common Citizens’ new songs boast poem-driven rhythms and lithe verbal delivery.
Check out Cam’s fearless, innovative beats and easy lyrical tone on “What is Ill.†His conviction is obvious, his simplicity commanding. Whether low-lying beats or blatant, resounding counts, Cam’s compelling forces drive these tracks forward.
Lars’ raspy vocals ring with poetic inspiration. He paints his lyrics onto dramatic canvases. His exploration of sound and simile keep efforts fresh and unfailing. Listen to Lars in such tracks as “Holy Mini Vans†or “What Is Ill†and you will find that his words put you into a whole new world altogether.
Delay’s smart, fast tongue reveals playful creativity as well as honest observations of the world at large (On “What Is Ill,†I am what I am and anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something out of the ordinary structure... Watch out for smart people. They know more than we do). Delay’s adventurous nature confidently pushes the group’s music in new directions by any means not yet tried.
With well-received live performances this year as well as ceaseless new projects, Common Citizens is facing a bright future of growing popularity.
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To get a copy of Common Citizens' debut album 'People Like Us', head over to one of the following locations in Ottawa:
- Amazon.com
- Norml
- CD Warehouse
- Vertigo Records
- Get it from us! [email protected]
