{"id":1750,"date":"2024-11-19T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2024\/2024\/11\/19\/man-on-a-mission-a-glimpse-into-the-musical-mind-of-ari-joshua\/"},"modified":"2024-11-19T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T17:00:00","slug":"man-on-a-mission-a-glimpse-into-the-musical-mind-of-ari-joshua","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2024\/2024\/11\/19\/man-on-a-mission-a-glimpse-into-the-musical-mind-of-ari-joshua\/","title":{"rendered":"Man on a Mission: A Glimpse Into The Musical Mind of Ari Joshua"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ari Joshua is on a mission to release 24 songs in 2024. Over the course of the last ten months, the South African-born, now American-based songwriter has been consistently releasing these singles, some of which contain multiple tracks and several stand-alone remixes. Each release features a unique line-up of all star musicians, including members of Trey Anastasio Band<\/a>, Medeski Martin & Wood<\/a>, and Joe Russo\u2019s Almost Dead. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ari
Photo by Joshua Hitchens – Bolt of Sunshine Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Ari who shined a light into his musical process, spoke on his luminary collaborators and opened up about navigating the music industry and the world he has dedicated his life to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’m super honored to be at the point in my career where I can share all the art I\u2019ve been making. When I think about my art and the message that I want to give with it – something from the soul – it reminds me of creating an organic garden, planting seeds, and harvesting foods. If you scale it out one can imagine being an artist today is like sending a rocket ship or a satellite into orbit. I feel like once you\u2019re in orbit as an artist, or once your seeds are harvesting fruits,  you can feel like you are achieving your job – each note, each song, has the potential to propel things further. In a way all the legends are in orbit. In order to get up there, to resonate with listeners, you need a tremendous amount of fuel, and it\u2019s a full time pursuit to manifest that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That need to resonate through the music inspired Ari to found The Music Factory, a Seattle-based music school giving lessons to hundreds of kids each week. He is a huge proponent of music education and has continued to grow the school since its inception. Ari has found himself at a point where he is able to take a step back and shift focus on his career being an artist and performer. \u201cAfter years of juggling duties and taking continuous small steps forward I\u2019ve found myself at a balancing point investing more time into creating meaningful and soul-fulfilling art.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Left to Right: Medeski, Martin & Joshua – Photo by Chris Bittner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ari\u2019s first three releases of the year, \u201cDragon\u2019s Layer\u201d, \u201cCountry Stroll\u201d and \u201cElephant Walk,\u201d feature John Medeski and Billy Martin. These Woodstock, NY recorded country and jazz influenced instrumentals are defined by their laid back grooves and catchy melodies. Ari has spent his life studying diverse artists across all genres and setting the foundation for himself so that he can be both over prepared yet able to let go of everything in the moment. When asked about his process of going into the studio with the high caliber collaborators he shares his body of work with, he makes it clear that he wants to allow the space for them to shine and be who they are. It\u2019s their unique voice that he wants captured in the studio. \u201cThere\u2019s a certain kind of magic that comes from not knowing what\u2019s going to happen and knowing that the musicians you\u2019re working with are at a certain point. You\u2019re free to trust the process and provide the space for them to do what feels right, and speaks for them.\u201d These songs feel like an extension of the MMW universe – Medeski, Martin & Joshua. \u201cCountry Stroll\u201d and \u201cElephant Walk\u201d showcase tasteful soloing by all three musical juggernauts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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