SamaritanMag: Arkells Frontman Max Kerman Puts Himself In The Shoes Of Refugees

By Aaron Brophy

Canadian rock act Arkells have become one of the country's biggest bands since forming a dozen years ago. So big, in fact, they've created their own music festival at a stadium in their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, just outside Toronto, with some of the proceeds benefitting the thousand Syrian refugees the city has settled recently.

Taking place June 23 at Tim Hortons Field. The Rally, as it's being called, will feature the Arkells, American band Cold War Kids, English singer Bishop Briggs and local act Ellevator. Sales are going so well it was recently announced the promoters are opening up the open-air stadium's upper deck to allow the sale of more tickets.

As a way of supporting these new residents, Arkells —  lead singer Max Kerman, guitarists Mike DeAngelis and Anthony Carone, bassist Nick Dika and drummer Tim Oxford — teamed up with the Arcade Fire-associated charity service Plus 1 to earmark one dollar from every ticket sold from the festival to benefit the Refugee Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health.

Established in 2011, Refuge Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health's mission is to provide quality healthcare services to the area's newcomer population. A wide range of services are provided at the centre, from routine physical exams and immunization services to family contraceptive, mental health counselling and nutrition assessment.

If Kerman has his way, The Rally will be a massive community-building exercise, hoping to incorporate the local Art Crawl vendors, local Sobi bike share users and nearby bars and restaurants.

Fresh off a performance in South Korea to support the Canadian Olympic Team, Kerman talked to Samaritanmag about The Rally, as well as the importance of helping refugees and their specific needs. – Continue reading on SamaritanMag