Biography

The first time the 5 members of In the Arena (Jason Ciolli, James Johnson, Ryan Loerke, Garrett Packer, and Nik Wagener) jammed together was around 2002, citing the likes of Strung Out, Thrice, The Used, AFI and others as influences of the day. While that iteration was short lived, and life carried everyone to different places for a time, the seeds were planted for a reunion two decades later. In late 2020, with each member re-settled in the Kelowna region, a first jam was planned. A handful of cover songs were prepped to play with no intentions beyond hanging out and playing some old favourites. But by the end of the first session, the framework of a first song was complete (later titled ‘Instincts’), and the new project was under way. Over the course of the next several months, and a handful of subsequent jam sessions, a few more songs were written. Initial talk of recording 2 or 3 songs turned into 5, and at the beginning of 2022, the group headed into the studio of Oodelally Recordings to work with long time friend and collaborator, Jordan Chase (and fellow Stutterfly / Secret & Whisper alum). Drawing upon influences from across the musical spectrum, you’ll hear elements of alt rock, skate punk, post-hardcore, and even metal and emo in their songs to date. With a style that brings to mind various rock sub-genres, the influences of their youth, as well as that of contemporaries from the late-2000’s, their debut EP has a little bit of something for everyone.