Artist Introduction
What’s your name and where are you from?
Ari Joshua I am from Cape Town, South Africa
What’s the story behind your stage name?
My name is the name my parents gave me. It’s just my middle and first name. I was in a phase I was certain I had a message to bring to the world, and I wanted a name like Bob Dylan had. I was pretty young when I started that. My last name has a Z at the start, in part I was like following my heart on that one.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I started off obsessed with the blues, I learned from my dads records and discovered Jimi Hendrix, and then as I was going into middle school the grunge era was blooming in my town. After that I saw The Grateful Dead and PHISH and was captivated by how their audience related to the music. I was in jazz band and exposed to these super highly brilliant kids playing horns, and wind instruments, and that’s what led me to NY where I went to The New School and was able to really learn from the masters. I want to connect and share all that good fortune, I’m blessed.
Fan Engagement
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
My latest track is Rare Groove and while we recorded Mell’s husband Mamadou made us all the most amazing African food. Mmm Mmm. As we recorded it was raining outside and we carried the hammond organ in two days prior so we all lifted this 1 ton instrument up a muddy hill, memories.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I am of the belief that all life is vibrations, I really want to connect people and feelings through the medium. I want to both heal my wounds and others, and share the joys of life.
Behind the Music
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Some times there is no challenges. I was once on a recording session where the power went out and the engineer had a battery powered 4 track, and a few old obscure tape machines, and we laid down over dubs on these machines while we waited for the power to come back on. It made me feel like I was in 7th grade again.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Stone Gossard. He has helped me already in so many ways, he is an amazing human and role model. He has been really generous with his time and I am not sure he realizes the impact he has, and will leave behind. When he walks into a room, a recording studio, or a business meeting, he brings something that I want to learn more about. Really grateful for his help over the last few years, and for all those reasons he’s up there on that list. Because I am rarely ok with one choice, I also want to add any jazz legend that is still on the planet, and anyone that I grew up influenced by.
Future Aspirations
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I am focused on my business stuff this year, that and working on setting up some touring We are looking at taking the bands I have recently recorded with and getting some shows booked and exploring other line ups that may be able to get out there to the people. I am also putting in about 25-50 hours a week on education related stuff. My music school The Music Factory is exploring expansion, franchising, and offering more online learning options and my label Music Factory Records just signed our first two artists, and I am going to keep prioritizing going into the studio and finish up more material.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Honestly focusing more on family, balance, business, and staying positive. If I can get that balanced out the rest seems to do better. I have already accomplished alot, and now the next step is just to let things breath, and to work on connecting to more people and players.
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
sign up for lessons online or in person at www.musicfactorynw.com, look for a new website at www.musicfactoryrecords.com, stay up on the latest releases at my bandcamp page, https://arijoshua.bandcamp.com/ and you can find sheet music for most new songs and news and reviews at www.arijoshua.com. Coming up check out our new releases from Peter Daniel, Roman Angelos, and I have tracks featuring Marina Albero, Heather Thomas, Marina Christopher, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, Grant Schroff, Joe Doria, Brad Gibson, Roman Angelos* (octet), Peter Daniel* (quartet), Swampdweller*, John Kimock, Andy Hess, Eden Ladin, RAAR Trio, Russ Lawton, Ray Paczkowski, Space Owl, and more!
Recent Work & Contact Info
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
www.arijoshua.com
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
fill out my contact form at www.arijoshua.com
