Earlier this afternoon, we talked with solo artist, Ari Hest. He provided us with an incredible amount of insight about the music industry, and what it means to be TRULY independent …we’re talking no record label. He is an incredibly talented artist who has learned everything by going out and trying it first hand. From songwriting, to singing, and recording, Ari wants aspiring artists to know that they shouldn’t let anything hold them back. You can see more of him on his website http://www.arihest.com Check out the interview below to see what he had to say!
Ari: I started when I was a late teenager, and my music found the ear of a booking agent and he said he could get me some gigs. He said he could get me on college campuses in the Midwest. I went to school and worked (on music) at the same.
Ashley: What other music artists inspire you?
Ari: The Beatles as a kid. I know everyone says that but I listened to my parent’s albums such as Abby Road. They taught me songs, song writing, forms of song writing and guitar features, just listening to them. Today, friends of mine that play in New York inspire me. There are a lot of talented people. We have become friendly and listening to them, I’m like wow; I want to sound like them.
Ari: I’m a sports fanatic. I play baseball in the summer, in the city. Aside from that, I like to eat food. I just started to cook, and just bought a juicer so I am learning how to use that right now. Just taking it one day at a time. But other then that, um, same as anyone else does. The first thing I turned to when I am not playing music is something sports related.
Ari: The biggest challenge is finances. Not having a label doesn’t let you get a whole lot done at a national, macro level, but I can get a lot done at a smaller level. I can be in charge of everything and do what I want to do. That includes recording. I have to make choices that were not always up to me. I’m the kind of person that likes to take care of my own things and be the boss. If a label came along that was really interested in me, a small label, I would consider it, but for now I am happy taking care of myself.
Ari: It’s very difficult. Through touring, CDs and past CDs. Records budgets don’t have to be as big as they used to be, the industry is in kind of a strange phase right now so you can do a lot. I don’t need a whole lot to put out an album. But if I want to get on the radio or get on stores like Wal-Mart, its difficult with out a label.
Ari: I was chosen to be put on this one episode. It was great. I know the show is popular so it’s always cool when that thing happens. It’s funny because sometimes the song doesn’t fit the episode. I remember when that song was in the episode and it actually fit. I just had another one of my songs put in a Brazilian soap opera, in a wedding scene, and it had nothing to do with song. But then again, I don’t know Portuguese.
Ari: I was invited by people working at the convention. It was great to be apart of it; the whole city was very energetic about what was going on. There were so many shows going on the weekend I was there. You got to see so many people regarding change, and people were so excited for their country, which is something I have not experienced my whole life.
Ari: I tour when I want to. I know my limits on how long I want to be gone at one time and I make sure I wont overdue it.
Ari: No, not at all. Glad I finished and maybe one day I will put the knowledge to use but maybe by then I won’t be able to recall what I learned. So we will see what happens.
What inspires me? It Can be anything. It depends on the day. Sometimes you’re not really inspired to write lyrics if nothing’s happening, so you wait for the next day. You wait for something bad or good to happen to write about. It’s based on how you’re feeling that moment, that day.
Ari: At this point, it’s not knowing how it will be in the next year, let alone the next month. It’s changing all the time and you have to stay ahead of the game. The project I did last year, 52, helped me get ahead of the game. But I don’t know what’s going to happen with me now, and I don’t know what form I will release it in. You have to stay with the times, which is the hardest part.
great work you two :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing how a VT grad moved forward in their career. Great job!
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