For the first time in nine months, Ari Hest is taking a break.
After touring incessantly across the country the up-and-coming singer/songwriter calls me from his home in Bronx to discuss his newest album and his upcoming show at the Acoustic Café in Bridgeport tonight.
But he’s hungry for the road. He has a passion to perform. This, I think to myself, is a man who truly loves music.
And people love his music, too. For the past nine months Hest has been touring across the country in support of his third album “Story After Story.”
His determination has led to independent success, allowing him to sell upwards of 7,000 copies of his album in the past six months at live performences and online.
“I just enjoy seeing different places and meeting a lot of people. The driving I can do without and being away from my girlfriend and my family,” said Hest, who recently wrapped up the 20-city “Rubber Meets the Road Tour” with The Clarks and Psuedopod.
“This is what I have to do get my name out there, and its fun to see things grow,” said the artist who has also toured with Maroon 5, Guster, and O.A.R.
Hest is not only growing independently, but helping the male singer/songwriter niche to expand as well. After the bubble-gum saturated late nineties, the return of the acoustic songwriter was a breath of fresh air. But like all things, even that has grown stale with commercialization. Hest offers a fresh perspective on the genre, focusing on the honesty of his songs and his fans instead of producing the pre-packaged norm.
Still, Hest doesn’t let the comparisons to other artist such as John Mayer and Jason Mraz deter him from what his own music is about.
“It’s a good thing that they are popular because their success is bringing attention to singer/songwriters,” said Hest. “To even be mentioned in their circle in flattering.”
“You tend to get past those things after a while and just realize that you are your own musician,” he added.
His third album “Story After Story” is testament to the fact that Hest has a decidedly different take on the pop-rock genre.
The album, which Hest describes as primarily autobiographical, features honest lyrics and rich melodies. This is not just another boy with his guitar.
The album, produced by David Rolfe (Patty Griffin, Rufus Wainwright, Burlap to Cashmere), helped Hest to reach new depths and emotions with heartfelt songs such as “They’re onto Me,” “Monsters,” and “The Upper Hand”. The album also yielded the popular “Didn’t Want to Say Goodbye” which chronicles the experiences of his friend who lost his mother in the Sept. 11 attacks.
“When you hear Ari sing, you have to stop and listen,” Rolfe said of the young artist. “He has that intangible quality that elevates an artist above mere talent and craft. It’s honesty you recognize the moment you hear it.”
Hest, who was raised on pop radio, first picked up a guitar when he was 17 inspired by artists such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, the Beatles, and Dave Matthews Band.
He also sites his father, who was a jingle writer, saxophonist, and college music professor, and his mother who sings professionally, as influences.
“But they didn’t push it on me to be a musician. I actually wanted to be a professional baseball player,” Hest laughs.
Hest, who graduated from New York University with a degree in communications, also says his hometown of New York City as having a large influence on his music.
“New York in an interesting place,” Hest said. “The frenzy and discomfort of living in this town bring that insecurity to my songs. But it’s a good thing, too. I don’t think I’d write good songs if I wasn’t in a place that was stimulating.”
Although Hest can’t predict where his career will take him, his style and love of music is sure to take him far. Expect to be hearing a lot more of him soon.
“Its hard to say where I will be or want to be in five years, because when I started out I never even thought I’d go this far. I never had the goal to be this famous musician – I still don’t really – I just want to see where my music could take me.”
“If things stay this way I’ll be happy. Just being able to make a career out of playing music is all I could ask for.”
See Ari Hest perform a solo acountic show Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. at The Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport. Tickets are $10 at the door. For a full list of upcoming shows go to www.arihest.com
Leave a Reply