Arkells shared the video for their new song “Drake’s Dad” from their highly anticipated new album, “Morning Report”, out next Friday, August 5 via Last Gang Records/eOne in the U.S. and Universal Music Canada. The video, which features Drake’s dad himself, premiered via Consequence of Sound, who commented that, “the song itself incorporates a distinctly Southern groove that feels right at home alongside visuals of Arkells getting up to all kinds of mischief.” The song is based on an actual experience frontman Max Kerman had.
“Last summer I was on a road trip with my best friends through the American south, and in the magic of the night, we happened to meet Drake’s dad – Dennis Graham – in a Memphis bar,” Max said. “He couldn’t have been more gracious, especially given that there were 16 of us, drunk on friendship and cheap American beer. This chance encounter inspired this song.”
“The narrative carries on to Nashville for some more shenanigans, and finishes with us all crawling back in to bed back home in Hamilton, very tired and missing our girls,” Max continued. “I love writing about the joy of friendship, and the lighthouse that home can be while you’re out lost at sea. ‘Drake’s Dad’ is Elton John meets Kanye West. Southern groove, classic piano changes, 808s, and a gospel choir.”
It only seemed fitting when the time came to film the video that the crew head back to Memphis and figure out a way to get Drake’s dad in it.
Arkells are thrilled to announce that they will hit the road this fall for a run of North American tour dates in support of Frank Turner, in addition to a select number of headlining dates. The band is currently on tour where they made first time appearances at Bonnaroo and Firefly Music Festival. The band will also be making a first time appearance at this year’s Lollapalooza music festival and will perform at an official Lollapalooza After Party with The Struts tonight at The Bottom Lounge.
Arkells 2016 Tour Dates
July 28 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
July 28 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge, Lollapalooza After Party
July 30 – New Glasgow, NS @ The Riverfront Jubilee
Aug 1 – St. John’s, NFLD @ George St. Festival
Aug 6 – Regina, SK @ Queen City Ex
Aug 21 – Großpösna, GER @ Highfield Festival
Aug 23 – London, UK @ Lexington
Aug 25 – Übersee, Germany @ Chiemsee Festival
Aug 27 – Bala, ON @ Kee To Bala
Sept 3 – Calgary, AB @ X-FEST
Sept 4 – Edmonton, AB @ Sonic Boom Festival
Sept 9 – Niagara, ON @ Jackson Triggs
Sept 15 – New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
Sep 27- Champaign, IL @ The Accord*
Sep 28 – St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room*
Sep 29 – Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish*
Sep 30 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Club*
Oct 01- Kalamazoo, MI @ Bell’s Eccentric Cafe – Beer Garden*
Oct 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
Oct 27 – Athens, GA @ The Georgia Theatre*
Oct 28 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater*
Oct 29 – Morgantown, WV @ Mainstage*
Oct 30 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa*
Oct 31 – Wilmington, DE @ World Café Live @ The Queen*
Nov 02 – Albany, NY @ Upstate Concert Theater*
Nov 03 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt*
Nov 11 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag
Nov 12 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Dec 9 & 10 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
* w/ Frank Turner