Arkells frontman Max Kerman has written a book!
Titled Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress, the Hamilton, ON rocker's motivational book is described by publisher Penguin Random House as "funny, conversational, and relatable... for anyone looking to make sense of their own creative pursuit, offering a framework for how to do it and where to begin."
Kerman shared the news on X, writing, "I've written a book and it's called TRY HARD. It's about the enduring puzzle of creative projects, being resourceful, getting art out into the world + all the fun involved."
He also included a video hyping the book, featuring fellow Canadian singer Michael Bublé selling the book with his velvety, crooning narration. Watch it below.
Here is the full book description:
Let’s say you see a familiar musician from a globe-trotting, touring band hanging out at your local coffee shop, reading the newspaper and typing away on his laptop. This doesn’t look like a musician at work. He seems approachable enough, so you ask him what exactly he does all day. With a grin on his face, he admits the job might not be what you think. So you take a seat, and ask him every question you’ve ever had about how it all works: the nuts and bolts of writing a song, preparing for a show, marketing a band, and the day-to-day business of a creative life.
With each answer—none of it about talent—you realize this musician is a bit of a…try hard. That the mystery of being a creative person isn’t actually mysterious at all: it’s just exploring ideas with an enthusiastic and determined curiosity. Over and over.
Max is that musician in the coffee shop, and this is what reading Try Hard feels like: one-of-a-kind tales from a dynamic frontman, and a companion to your own creative work in progress. With a brick-by-brick attitude, Max explores his own growth in the craft of storytelling and performance, the pleasure to be found in collaboration, and the creative spirit required in sharing your art.
You can pre-order a copy of Try Hard here.
Kerman and Arkells are currently on the road in the middle of The Big Feelings Tour, which continues in Kelowna, BC on Thursday (November 14), before wrapping up in Kitchener, ON on November 30.
Filmed this video at the great coffee shop I wrote much of the book. Thank you Morning Parade! Also thank you @MichaelBuble for indulging this very try hard ask. pic.twitter.com/MaFaRwOLEL
— Max Kerman (@Max_Kerman) November 12, 2024