Recall: Max Kerman from Arkells

Arkells frontman and now author Max Kerman joins the show to speak about his new book ⁠Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress⁠. Jann asks Max about his creative process, the importance of persistence in the arts, and how to navigate the music industry. Max and Jann reflect on true artistic enthusiasm and positivity in creative pursuits, as well as the importance of networking and asking for opportunities. Max also touches on the intricate balance between the creativity and the financial aspects of being an artist, the challenges of navigating social media authentically, and the importance of community engagement. He reflects on the future of music as artists age, the significance of self-reflection, and the impact of their songs on fans. More About Max Kerman and Try Hard: Max Kerman is the frontman of the multiplatinum, award-winning touring band Arkells. Try Hard is his first book. 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. And 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. *Photo by Nathan Nash* ⁠Buy Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress⁠ ⁠ - want some life advice from Jann? Send in a story with a DM or on our website. Leave us a voicenote! ⁠ Get access to bonus content and more on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can listen to Recall: Max Kerman from Arkells online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Recall: Max Kerman from Arkells is an episode from The Jann Arden Podcast by Jann Arden.

This episode is 48:45 long.

This episode was published on Mar 11, 2026.

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