MUSIC NEWS: Cleopatrick Announce Debut Album, UK Tour Dates & Share New Single ‘Family Van’

Photo Credit: Kurtis Watson

cleopatrick have announced their debut album BUMMER, due for release on 4th June 2021 through their own label Nowhere Special Recordings (via Thirty Tigers/The Orchard).

To celebrate, the duo have released their new single FAMILY VAN alongside its own video game, which is complete with an 8-bit soundtrack created by the band. The video game sees cleopatrick wake up in their hometown of Coburg, Ontario, late for a headline show in Toronto, where the player has to drive the duo’s trusty van Vannah Montanah to the gig on time, dodging various obstacles and challenges along the way. You can play the game HERE. 

“I WROTE FAMILY VAN AFTER A BAND RIPPED ONE OF OUR SONGS OFF. THEY WERE BIGGER THAN US AND WE FELT POWERLESS,” they comment.  

“FAMILY VAN WAS BORN OUT OF FRUSTRATION. IT’S AN EXERCISE IN ANGER, AND A CONSCIOUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, INDEPENDENCE, AND DIY MENTALITY THAT MAKES OUR BAND WHAT WE ARE. 

“WE’VE SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TOURING THE WORLD IN IAN’S BEAT UP HIGH-SCHOOL MINIVAN, WITH A JANKY TRAILER STRAPPED TO THE BACK, SOME CHILDHOOD SLEEPING BAGS, AND A HANDFUL OF SONGS WE WROTE IN MY BASEMENT. THIS ‘FAMILY VAN’ HAS BEEN A VESSEL FOR OUR ART, A SYMBOL OF OUR HONESTY, AND A NOD TO ALL THE YOUNG GUITAR BANDS THAT ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING REAL.

“THERE’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE PHONIES OUT THERE. THERE’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE IMPOSTERS, AND FAKERS, AND OLD DUDES WITH BAD INTENTIONS. BUT IF YOU STAY REAL — I PROMISE IT’S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY END UP UNMASKED AND UNKNOWN, SOMEWHERE IN YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR.”

Like what you hear? You can stream or purchase FAMILY VAN HERE.

BUMMER is available to pre-order HERE. 

cleopatrick have also announced a UK headline tour, see them live at one of the following dates:

November 2021

Wed 24th – TUNBRIDGE WELLS – Forum 
Thu 25th – LONDON – Islington Assembly Hall 
Fri 26th – BIRMINGHAM – O2 Institute 
Sat 27th – NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms 

Tickets are on sale HERE.