Sometimes, the price of freedom is quickly forgotten.
Hailing from the beautiful Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan, rock outfit Arcana Kings exploded onto the scene in 2015 and haven’t looked back since. Captivating audiences with their unique blend of arena rock, punk-pop, and bagpipes (you heard us right), they’ve impressively managed to make a name for themselves in a crowded scene with their unique sound. With no end to their onslaught in sight, this talented group continues to impress with every release, and it’s only a matter of time before they blow up even further.
Consisting of the dynamic Johnny McCuaig (lead vocals, bagpipes, rhythm guitar), the electric duo of James Picton (lead guitarist) and Allan Morrison (rhythm guitarist, vocals), the lively Kevin Kyle (bass) and the mercurial Graham Templeman (drums), Arcana Kings possess a rare chemistry that isn’t easily achieved. Additionally, they’re not afraid of shying away from serious issues and causes, with their latest release, “Soldier On,” inspired by soldiers suffering from PTSD. They’ve made it their business to make powerful music that also inspires and has meaning, and when the music is this good, it’s easy to get lost in their releases.
About “Soldier On,” McCuaig says, “The lyrics come straight from soldiers suffering with PTSD. We asked them to put their thoughts and feelings on paper,” with the result being “Soldier On”. Opening with King’s iconic bagpipe before powerful guitars and drums take over, the instrumental performance sets a robust foundation for the rest of the song. Combined with lyrics like “Fighting for freedom and strangers of life / we do it all for the red and the white,” “Soldier On” is an inspiring release that inspires a sense of reverence and gratitude for those who give their all for their country. Written to raise awareness of programs like Soldier On, This release is not only for a good cause but also a fantastic piece of art.
Arcana King’s latest release, “Soldier On,” is a meaningful yet deliciously powerful offering with an exciting spin on a classic genre. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream Arcana King’s new release, “Soldier On”, available now on all majour streaming platforms. Check out the striking music video, too, available on YouTube.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Arcana Kings! Wow, what a powerful release. What was your favorite part of bringing the creative vision for this release to life?
Thanks for checking us out! We would have to say the reactions from all the people involved. The soldiers who helped write the lyrics had no idea what we would do with them or even who we were. They had never heard our sound, so their reactions were fantastic when it was all done! Putting your feelings, thoughts, and experiences into music is very personal. After hearing it all put together for the first time, we knew this would have a strong reaction, especially from veterans all over.
What was your initial vision for the music video, and did the final version end up being what you envisioned at first glance?
Well, we wanted to have more videos of soldiers in action. It's hard to find that kind of footage. We are happy with the way it turned out. It was a lengthy editing process, showing a great story by matching the lyrics to the visuals.
You're not just making music for music's sake. How important is making music that has a deeper meaning or cause to you as a band?
It's essential. We don't just write a song for the sake of writing music. Every song we have written has a personal experience behind it. With Soldier On, our families have long ties to the military. Going back to WW2 and up until today. My sister's husband was in the Soldier On program. Our bass player, Kevin, is ex-military. We draw from ourselves and our past relationships when we are writing.
What's been your favorite part of being able to make your music thus far?
We all have different answers for that. But to narrow it down, it comes down to the performance. When we can work the song to where we want it to be and then perform it live, that's where the payoff is. To see other people connect to what you are saying and doing is an incredible feeling. You get the sense that there is a perfect moment, and you have to soak that in.
What's next for Arcana Kings? Can we expect to hear more new music soon, and is there anything you want to say to your fans?
Yes! We will be releasing more music in the next few months. We are excited for everyone to hear what we have been up to! We want to tell the fans to stream Soldier On and share it with their friends and family. We are trying to get a gold record and present it to all of the soldiers who helped write the lyrics to this song. How cool would that be?!!. It's a tiny way for all of us to thank you for your service. Caring is sharing.