Ari gets candid about her debut single 'Baptize'
Ari is all set to drop her debut single 'Baptize' on July 13. The single showcases her vocal talent by combining passionate and haunting tones that create a gripping experience. In regard to the single, Ari notes, “the song is very personal to me. It set my art project into motion.”
Born and raised in Tarzana, CA, Ari grew up immersed in the performing arts culture. She began singing at the tender age of six, spent most of her youth doing professional ballroom dancing, and went on to sing in the school choir. While currently focusing on her musical career, she still gets her fix of dancing in at local salsa clubs, which she calls “a sweet release.”
Similar to singing and songwriting, Ari finds liberation in dancing as a way to connect with her most primal, natural human sensuality free of judgment.
With a background in the arts, Ari began professional songwriting at the age of 16, finding her artist inspiration in poetry and photography. She has since written for numerous recording artists, including DJ Whiteshadow and Avi Kaplan (formerly Pentatonix), and The Crystal Fighters. Ari has found inspiration for her artistic endeavors in photography, poetry, film, and dance.
Artists such as Leonard Cohen, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Nina Simone, Sylvia Plath and Patti Smith have influenced the basis of Ari’s own artistry and songwriting. Ari believes the true essence of art and the source of her inspiration can be found in portrayals of ‘true honesty.’
In a conversation with Meaww, Ari talks about her song 'Baptize', finding inspiration in Sylvia Plath, and her experience in working with the 'Pentatonix' artist Avi Kaplan.
How is songwriting different from writing poetry?
It’s the same, however, I think the process can vary. Melodies come first in a song, and then the song navigates itself. That is were writing lyrics comes in.
Could you tell us about "Baptize"? what drove you to write the song?
I wrote the song while I was living abroad for few years. I started doing a lot of work on myself, it was all a process of overcoming trauma. That’s when I wrote the song. I was going through a time where I needed to express myself in a better way. It was more of psychedelics actually, I would write the song the next day...you know, about the darkest hour. It is about facing yourself, and the feelings in between.
How do you think you can restore faith in music?
I think music is so natural, it shows us beyond what we can perceive in our day to day life. Maybe it’s not necessary, like a crisis given to music. It’s like medicine, it restores you. Every time I doubt faith, I actively start working towards it.
You have been a dancer for the most part of your life. How is expression different in a dance as compared to a song?
I was a dancer for the most of my life, and being able to express through your body, consumes you entirely, it’s like completely getting lost. It’s about diving in, expressing, and jumping in. It’s different with music.
Could you tell us about your experience of writing with DJ Whiteshadow and Avi Kaplan?
I haven’t written with DJ Whiteshadow actually, I just wrote a song that he wanted to use. But I have written with Avi Kaplan, and it was honest. I mean the struggles were the same. We both would write in sync, it’s like therapy, you work out all your stuff. I was really lucky. I really admire and respect him.
What was it like working with the Crystal Fighters?
Oh, they are different, very fun people. They have just released a new single, where I gave back up vocals. We have had some songwriting session. They are humble, easy going people.
What role do you think Sylvia Plath has to play in today's feminism?
I think she is not afraid of being herself. Our society programs women to behave and be quiet. This attitude is minimized through Plath’s work. We don’t seem to have a right to give out feeling, feelings which are dark, heavy and sometimes morbid. She wasn’t afraid, she was beautiful. It’s our chance to break the programming, we cannot always be happy and stable, we too have hormones.
Could you tell us a little about your songwriting process?
Oh God! (Laughs). Well, it depends on the day! I mean I really have to get together the focus of my mind. There is always a lot of influx, different things going on in my mind, it’s constantly changing. I wake up some morning, I am a tragic mess, and go to the session. The rest of the room just jumps into my happiness and misery. No one talks about it, we just go for it.
What are your future projects?
Turns the crystal ball! I just hope to keep working with these great people, in some amazing projects. I hope to release many new songs in collaboration with other artists.