17 May, 2024 (TORONTO, ON) – Today, just in time for your long weekend, Arkells release Disco Loadout: Volume 1, an 11-track covers album of their highly-requested, feel-good, fan fave sing-a-longs via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company.

“We are of the mind that if you’ve made something you’re proud of, and other people might enjoy it, then offer it up,” says frontman Max Kerman. “We’ve long agonized over what covers to include in our live set, so when we land on one, it means the song means a lot to us. We’ve been asked by fans over the years to record and release them officially, and with a window in the calendar recently, we were able to do just that. The songs are all timeless classics, everything from 60’s through today. And they share the thing a transcendent pop song can do, which is make you feel damn good.”

A ‘disco loadout’ is a term familiar to touring musicians, that describes a very humbling act. “Many bands have experienced this, and we certainly have,” remarks Kerman. “When on tour you might pull up to a venue to find there is a later show happening the same night. The promoter has decided that it makes financial sense to double book the venue with back-to-back, separate shows. You discover your band is playing the early show, and when you are finished, you must hastily load your gear out the door in front of a lineup of people waiting to get into the venue for the next show – typically a cover band, playing familiar songs that everyone knows and loves. We have been humbled by this in the past and instead of living with the embarrassment, we have performed and recorded those songs for you.”

“Some people are wondering if we are going to perform these songs live anytime soon, and the answer is… we might. You have likely heard some of these covers over the years in our set, and they all belong in the bag of tricks we keep adding to, ready to be pulled out like a magician when the time is right. For now, get ready to enjoy the immaculate song writing that exists in these timeless songs, and gusto of our interpretation.”

SUMMER DATES:

June 21 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage w/ Tegan and Sara
June 22 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage w/ Grouplove
July 4 – Québec City, QC – Festival d’été
Aug 9 – St. John’s, NL – Churchill Park Music Festival
Aug 23 – Winnipeg, MB – Burt Block Party
Sept 14 – Thunder Bay, ON – Wake The Giant Festival

BIG FEELINGS TOUR:

Oct 18 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre w/ Joel Plaskett Emergency
Oct 19 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre w/ Joel Plaskett Emergency
Oct 24 – Kingston, ON – Slush Puppie Place w/ Poolside
Oct 25 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre w/ Poolside
Oct 26 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens w/ Poolside
Oct 31 – Saskatoon, SK – Sasktel Centre w/ Poolside
Nov 1 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place w/ Poolside
Nov 2 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome w/ Poolside
Nov 14 – Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place w/ TBC
Nov 15 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena w/ K.Flay
Nov 16 – Victoria, BC – Save on Foods Memorial Centre w/ K.Flay
Nov 28 – Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre w/ Valley
Nov 29 – Barrie, ON – Sadlon Arena w/ Valley
Nov 30 – Kitchener, ON – Memorial Auditorium w/ Valley