THE WEDDING Present released a single every month back in 1992 while Sufjan Stevens has toyed with the idea of recording an album inspired by each of state in the USA.
American singer-songwriter Ari Heist did something similar in 2008 when he embarked on his ambitious ‘52’ project, when he spent that year immersed in an effort to write, record, produce, and release one new song per week for 52 weeks in a row.
Fans could then access Ari’s website and download the new song. This led eventually to fans nominating their favourite tracks from the 52 projec. Ari then reworked the songs and compiled into the album Twelve Mondays.
He is not one for doing things the traditional way, as he showed earlier in his career, when, with a major label deal in the bag, he opted out of it in order to have more control over his art. This, along with Ari’s use of the internet, is an example of the way the music promotion and consumption has changed over the last couple of years.
The Bronx native has earned much praise for his ‘52’ project, with The Indianapolis Star saying: “If songwriting were an Olympic sport, Ari Hest’s speciality would be the marathon.”
More importantly though, his songwriting is regarded as top class, and he has earned much praise from critics: “A prolific songwriter and a captivating live performer” (The Boston Globe ) and “His songs are high-caliber and deeply heartfelt” (Performing Songwriter ).
Ari Hest plays Campbell’s Tavern, Cloughanover, on Friday July 16 at 9pm as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Tickets are available from the festival box office, Forster Street, by phoning 091 - 566577, or online at www.galwayartsfestival.com
