Arcana Kings bring the rock (and bust out the bagpipes) on their high-energy single and video Here We Go — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Here We Go is the leadoff track from the western quintet’s new album Lions As Ravens. It energetically showcases a band fired up and ready to play hard as we begin to emerge from our long, lonely pandemic winter and Canada opens up, smiles wide and gets ready to rock again.
“I wanted to capture the feeling of those nights when we were getting ready to hit the stage and getting ourselves pumped up for the big show,” says lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and bagpiper Johnny McCuaig. “Every time I hear it, it still gets me pumped up and I get a little excited.”
That pumped-up excitement permeates throughout Lions As Ravens, which was recorded with producer Ryan Andersen (Nickelback, Theory Of A Deadman, Default), at RedDoor Recorders in Saskatoon. Rounding out the band’s signature sound are lead guitarist James Picton, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Allan Morrison, bassist Kevin Kyle and drummer Graham Templeman.
Thematically, the band wanted the video to capture the intensity of competitive sports like football, hockey or basketball but knew that budget limitations wouldn’t let them draw those connections visually. However, happenstance enabled the band to capture the idea in a more unique but no less intensely competitive way.
“It just so happened that there was an advertisement in the local paper for a women’s roller derby bout,” recalls McCuaig. “We brought the idea to our director Dave Benedict (from the band Default) and within a day we had the concept, the contacts and the direction. It all just came together like it was meant to be.”
This has been a season of change and growth for Arcana Kings. Previously known as The Johnny McCuaig Band, they recently changed their name to reflect a realignment of their unique bagpipe-rock approach. Blending seamlessly like a long-lost Celtic cousin to the electric guitar, AK use the bagpipes as an intriguing extension of their high-energy sound, rather than a focal point.
“Just imagine the Foo Fighters, AC/DC and The Steve Miller Band all mixed with a touch of Métis spirit and Scottish heritage,” explains McCuaig.
Watch Here We Go above, and keep up with Arcana Kings on their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
