“You never know when the universe will deliver a tune from the song gods, but ‘Years In The Making’ arrived just when we needed it”, remarks Arkells’ frontman Max Kerman, in response to the first new music from the band since 2018’s acclaimed ‘Rally Cry’; an album which led the 6X JUNO Award-winners to collect both Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year at last years’ ceremony.
“There’s a fierce optimism weaved throughout the jam,” he continues. “It leans on a question we keep coming back to: How do we conceive of everything we’ve been through, and shape it to offer some love and hope? ‘Years In The Making’ is meant to encourage us to find ways to embrace the bumps in the road, because all of our challenges are ultimately there to help us work towards the dream – whatever that may be.”
Arkells, known for their DIY spirit and commitment to shine a light on social programs and community initiatives, continued their brand of social advocacy with a recent campaign to rally support for local journalism. Earlier this month, the band launched an initiative encouraging fans to “stop running from the paywall” and subscribe to print and digital journalism – a shrinking industry plagued by economic challenges in the current ‘freemium’ culture. Arkells gifted free custom shop t-shirts to fans in exchange for proof of a new year-long subscription, submitted via Arkells’ website. The band are currently fulfilling hundreds of orders in an effort they hope can support a paradigm shift when it comes to recognizing that valued reporting should be paid for.
Having just barely gotten off the road, Arkells are ready to charge into the new year with new material and big announcements. The band have been known to plan a marquee show each summer and they promise that announcement is coming soon; with further domestic and international touring ahead. Their brick-by-brick work ethic and rise to success has been ‘Years In The Making’ – and they can’t wait to start playing it live.
“Most importantly”, muses Kerman, “the song is meant to viscerally offer our bodies all the moves to play it live. Thank you to all of our inspirations that drive us forward. The reward is this A+ banger.” he laughs.
Arkells are widely considered one of the most passionate, exuberant and in-demand live bands working today. As international radio mainstays, sport-sync shoe-ins and curious students of culture, Arkells have remained ever present – building awareness and personal community experiences around their live shows and new music at every turn. The most emblematic example of this being The Rally, Arkells’ hometown concert in Hamilton, Canada which sold 24,000 tickets and hailed as one of the biggest domestic shows in the country.
To follow came North American and international headline touring that included their first sold-out concert at Scotiabank Arena and a stop later that year at Toronto’s premiere summer venue – Budweiser Stage – which sold out in 1 day. Their touring over the last year has cumulatively raised over $100K for charity, via the band’s partnership with Plus1, and the band has sold over 100,000 tickets domestically. Arkells also played a slew of UK/European shows and festivals last year including TRNSMT Festival, and a headline show at London’s ULU on the hottest day of the year. 2020 – They’re coming. Giddy up.
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