Arkells release the much-anticipated video for People’s Champ today via Last Gang Records. Directed by renowned photographer & 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 every-day, mundane surroundings.
‘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.’
Watch the brand-new video here:
Arkells’ vision was realized through the direction of respected collaborator Matt Barnes. “Matt Barnes has a style of photography that is uniquely HIM. 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,” added Kerman.
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 on alternative radio in Canada. 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 were literally sent sprinting for a chance to score a wristband inside. Die-hards who waited diligently outside 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,’ Max Kerman.
Earlier this year, Arkells announced The Rally on June 23, an official kick-off to the summer, live at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, 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.
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.