Ari Hest doesn’t like to think of himself as a veteran pop rocker but after seven full length albums he admits, “Weird to call myself that, but I suppose it fits.” From his six albums, three EPs, and "52" in 2008, an innovative project whereby he wrote, recorded and released a new song every Monday for a full year, “prolific” might be an understatement when describing Hest. With this never-ending list of projects, Hest is one of those singer-songwriters who is courageously still waiting for the larger break-through he solely deserves and relish in the international acclaim that songsmiths Ray Lamontagne and Glen Hansard have enjoyed. Perhaps some big soundtrack song will soon make his list of accomplishments.
Hest’s seventh full length, The Fire Plays, (released Nov 13) produced by Gerry Leonard in Rhinebeck, NY, draws inspiration from a wide range of musical influences – fusing the sounds of 70’s pop era music akin to Gordon Lightfoot and James Taylor with the sprawling electric guitar soundscapes you’d hear from artist/producers like Ry Cooder and Daniel Lanois. The Fire Plays is a rewarding listen that magically connects lyrically and musically, while maintaining a mature and deep subject and sonically experimental range. We recently spoke with Hest about his musical resume and is amateur baseball accomplishments….
I was drawn to your quote that The Fire Plays was inspired by the thought processes that tend to fall into the trap of thinking too much about where we expect to be in our lives instead of embracing where we are. You then went on to mention that you are a black belt in such thinking. How did this glimpse into… dare I say neuroticism, conjure the creative fire for this album?
I can’t speak for all songwriters, but I write a whole lot better when something unusual is happening in my life, something I naturally feel the need to dissect. These songs were written during times like that. Otherwise I write according to memory/imagination, and that is trickier cause you’re not writing while in the moment.
The songs are fantastic in a sense that your voice sounds aged and wise and musically its stays in balance to the singer-songwriter mode, while never letting the attention to focus away from your voice and words. What was the goal when writing and recording this album? What type of end result did you envision and what records served as inspiration?
Gerry Leonard and I wanted to create a bunch of musical themes in this album. Some songs are more fragile and require less production while some others seemed to beg for a fuller, more atmospheric approach. The goal was to make sure that regardless of arrangement these songs fit together to essentially form a complete thought.
What songs are you most proud of on the Fire Plays and which ones do you feel most define you where you are creatively right now?
I think “Set In Stone” and the title track are the best written songs. But they’re all good representations of where I’m at creatively.
Have you personally become satisfied with your present state as a talented artist? Or what is your definition of success at this stage in your artistry and do you feel you’ve achieved success?
My definition of success is getting better at what I do. I’m satisfied as long as I’m pushing myself to get better. I feel like I’ve achieved success but haven’t always defined it the way I just described. Early on my approach was more focused on how popular my music became. I still work just as hard to turn heads, but I am in a better place mentally about what my goals are. Just trying to get better with each album, each show.
How would you best describe yourself in your music if you were writing your own press release?
The business has dramatically changed since I started over a decade ago. Once in a while I find myself whining about how things used to be, or I find myself in awe of how easy something is now that used to be a pain, like home recording. If the criteria for being deemed a “veteran” is that things have changed, then yeah I am. But I still feel like a kid when I’m on stage.
You grew up in a very musical family – your mother was a cantor and your father was a college music professor – do you feel this gave you the confidence and know how to pursue music as a career or did it come more from within yourself?
My parents, who are actually still doing those things, didn’t force music on me, and maybe that’s why I naturally gravitated towards it as a teenager. I don’t think my confidence in my musical ability stems from their pursuits. It more comes from being around the scene for a long time and noticing what my strengths are and putting them to work.
You play a variety of instruments – which one do you feel your strongest at and why?
Well at the core of what I do is guitar and piano. I’d love to be better at both, but guitar came easier than piano has. It’s strange cause as a 5 year old I started taking piano lessons, but I gave it up in frustration back then, and when I picked up a guitar at age 16, my fingers kinda knew where to go, or at least where to begin.
You’ve always had a way of relating to your audience in communicating a communal message that translates from the way you are feeling similar to the way they are feeling. What do you credit that to?
I’d credit that to having an analytical nature. I don’t think what I experience is any different than what other do, but I tend to try and put into words what I feel during or after these experiences, and usually people can connect with what I write and sing. If I didn’t analyze, I’d be a bad songwriter.
In terms of career artists (ie – Neil Young, Dylan, Hiatt, etc) whose career do you most respect and would feel blessed if you
can somehow come to close to having that creative freedom and devoted fan-base?
I respect all the ones you mentioned there, but Neil Young would be at the top of my list. He is a really soulful guy who plays from the heart, and I always look forward to hearing him play.
I was surprised to learn that you are an excellent baseball player and might still play still play in an amateur league. How is baseball and music similar for you and how is it most different? What is your favorite team these days and how do you think they will do in 2013?
I do play ball here in NYC during the summer. I miss it. As a teenager, baseball and girls were all I thought about. I got an opportunity to play agin three years ago through an old high school teammate, and since then I’ve made it a point to play as much as my tour schedule allows each year, which is about 20 games each summer. There’s plenty of rhythm in baseball – getting ready to hit the ball, the way every player moves when the ball is hit – it is poetic, and I don’t doubt there’s a connection between it and music. I grew up a Yankee fan and still follow them, although it’s been tough lately as they’ve shown a lack of heart. I was excited to see San Francisco win this year because they clearly have a lot of heart and joy for playing together.
Are there any new albums from other artists you’ve been listening to?
I’m still listening to stuff I bought the last couple of years honestly. I get through albums slower than most. Got into Wilco’s The Whole Love during the Europe tour I just did, and Patty Griffin’s Downtown Church is in rotation at the moment too.
