We love having the chance to introduce you to some of our new favourite bands, the latest on the list is Canadian pop-rock outfit Arkells.
With the release of their new album Rally Cry tomorrow via Last Gang/Entertainment One it couldn’t come any sooner for bands of the quintet. The artwork for the release was designed by Arkells guitarist Mike DeAngelis inspired by the live-show which helped to influence the tracks on the release.
People’s Champ was the first single taken from the release and honestly, it’s one of our absolute favourite tracks of the year. As frontman Max Kerman explained of the track “We wanted to see images of different kinds of people coming to life through music and the company of their friends and surroundings“. Speaking of the current social climate, lack of leadership and how we find people’s champs in the most unlikely of places it’s feel-good thanks to its funky beat.
This was followed by Relentless, a little different to the conventional guitar-driven sound Arkells have set themselves up with. Sampling a track by a South African artist named Chicco which Max was introduced to by his dad they worked to build a track around this. A slower, cinematic vibed, lyric-driven track which is pretty groovy and what’s not to love there?
Rally Cry is Arkells fifth album and was produced by Eric Ratz (Metric, Billy Talent), mastered by Greg Calbi and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons). In the run-up to the release, they’ve been ensuring they have as much fun as possible, as explained on their blog they’ve sung at their favourite Toronto karaoke bar with friends and fans along with opening the American Screams hotline (1-888-426-8856) for fans to call and hear the track. We wish we were part of the Arkells gang because they definitely know how to have fun!
The bands last album, 2016 gold-certified Morning Report was followed by surprise single release Knocking At The Door which became the most played alt-rock song of the year in Canada, topping the chart for fourteen weeks. If you hadn’t already guessed yet the quintet love their live shows and it’s even seen them visiting South Korea during the 2018 Olympics thanks to a tweet when the band saw the team celebrating to Knocking At The Door. The joys of social media!
Arkells earlier this year supported Frank Turner on tour across the UK and will be heading out on their UK/European tour in November. Catch them at the following shows;
Nov 16 – Cologne, GER – Luxor
Nov 17 – Berlin, GER – BiNuu
Nov 18 – Hamburg, GER – Knust
Nov 21 – Bristol, UK – The Fleece
Nov 22 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
Nov 23 – London, UK – Heaven
Nov 25 – Glasgow, UK – King Tuts
Nov 27 – Leeds, UK – Belgrave Music Hall
Nov 28 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds
Nov 29 – Brighton, UK – Green Door Store
Tickets for all shows are available from the band’s website.
We spoke to frontman Max Kerman recently, read what he had to say about Relentless and Rally Cry here. Keep up to date with Arkells on Facebook, Official Website, Twitter and Youtube.
Have you checked out Arkells yet? Keep your eye on CelebMix for our review of Rally Cry. Tweet us @CelebMix to let us know your thoughts.