ARKELLS RELEASE HOTLY ANTICIPATED VIDEO FOR HIT SINGLE, “PEOPLE’S CHAMP”, TODAY
“PEOPLE’S CHAMP” IS THE FOCUS THEME FOR THE NHL’S STANLEY CUP FINAL SERIES
OVER 20K TICKETS SOLD TO JUNE 23 HOMECOMING SHOW, THE RALLY
“Top contender for the title of 2018’s protest song of the year” – CBC Music
24 May 2018 (Toronto, ON) – Arkells release the much-anticipated video for “People’s Champ” today via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. Directed by renowned photographer and creative Matt Barnes, the video brings the optimism sought within “People’s Champ” to life. Shot in the band’s hometown of Hamilton, the video aims to find the joy at the at the heart of everyday, mundane surroundings. Watch the brand-new video HERE.
“‘People's Champ’ is a political song, but also a joyful one,” says frontman Max Kerman. “There's a pulse to the song we wanted to capture. We wanted to see images of different kinds of people coming to life through music and the company of their friends and surroundings.” Listen to “People’s Champ” HERE.
Arkells’ vision was realized through the direction of respected collaborator Matt Barnes. “Matt Barnes has a style of photography that is uniquely HIM,” says Kerman. “He always casts interesting subjects and is able to create a world within its own. We jumped at the opportunity to make a video with him - his effervescence makes for an amazing time on set.”
“People’s Champ” is the first single to be announced off the upcoming fifth studio album from Arkells, set for release later this year. Written and recorded in Toronto by Arkells, produced by previous collaborator with the band, Eric Ratz (“Knocking at the Door” and “Leather Jacket”), and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, The 1975), “People’s Champ” is an upbeat, horn-infused, politically-charged anthem that is resonating deeply with listeners.
24 hours after the song’s release the single was the number one most added song on alternative radio. Arkells kicked off the release of the single with a surprise show at The Boat, a 100-capacity bar in Toronto’s Kensington Market. Fans lined the streets outside the venue and sprinted for a chance to score a wristband inside. Die-hards who patiently waited outside in anticipation were treated to a spontaneous pre-show singalong led by Arkells, up and down the alleyways.
The band has since got the tune in fighting live form after their freshly wrapped month-long UK tour supporting folk-rock troubadour, Frank Turner. “Playing ‘People's Champ’ on tour every night and hearing the call and response from a crowd is a continuation of a theme we've had throughout all of our records. From “Whistleblower” to “Knocking At The Door” to “People's Champ” - as songwriters, writing about our community and the people who inspire us is one of the things the band enjoys the most. All of these songs are just daily hymns that celebrate values that are important to us,” says Kerman. The song is set to debut next week as a key theme to the NHL’s Stanley Cup final.
Earlier this year, Arkells announced The Rally, an official kick-off to the summer, live at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on June 23 with special guests Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs, and Ellevator. Due to popular demand, the hometown show was shortly upgraded to a full stadium affair of up to 26K tickets, making it the band’s biggest headline show to date, surpassing their 2017 summer show at Budweiser Stage in Toronto which sold out in three days. In partnership with PLUS 1, Arkells have already raised over $20K through ticket sales for The Rally that will be donated to Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health. For tickets and additional information please visit: http://www.arkellsmusic.com/therally/
Vocalist/guitarist Max Kerman, guitarist Mike DeAngelis, bassist Nick Dika, drummer Tim Oxford and keyboardist Anthony Carone, collectively known as Arkells, have been relentlessly touring in support of their most recent album, Morning Report; building their audience and further solidifying their reputation as a passionate, high-energy, live rock authority. Since the release of the album, the band have made their debut at some of the biggest marquee festivals in the U.S. including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo. Their most recent hit single, “Knocking At The Door”, spent an unprecedented 14 weeks at #1 on the Canadian Alt/Rock charts, making it the most played alt rock song of 2017 and Arkells the most played band of the year.
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Canadian Tour Dates:
June 23 - Hamilton, ON @ Tim Horton’s Field: The Rally w/ Special Guests Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs
June 30 - Timmins, ON @ Hollinger Park - Stars & Thunder Festival
July 5 - Sudbury, ON @ Bell Park - Northern Lights Festival
July 7 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Marina Park - Thunder Bay Blues Festival
July 27 - Belleville, ON @ Empire Square Live
July 28 - Sarnia, ON @ Bluewater Border Fest
Aug 2 - Regina, SK @ Great Western Stage - Queen City Ex
Aug 4 - Mont-Tremblant, QC @ Place Saint-Bernard
Aug 5 - Saint John, NB @ Long Warf - Area 506 Festival
Sept 7 - Vancouver, BC @ Stanley Park - SKOOKUM Festival
Sept 8 - Edmonton, AC @ Victoria Park - SONiC Field Day