Ari Hest's Two-Night Stand
By Danielle Look

What is it about playing to a crowd of 60 people in the living room of an Indianapolis home that attracts an accomplished and well-known singer/songwriter from New York? Perhaps it’s the sincere love and appreciation for beautiful, genuine music that lives inside every person that attends. Maybe it’s the gracious couple who host such an event that appeal to dwellers from a city full of rough-edged citizens. It could even be the informal setting allowing for mistakes, banter, and stories that draws such talent to a small (if not tiny) venue in the mid-west. These, among others, are the reasons that Ari Hest returned to the little brick house on Kessler Boulevard on March 22nd and 23rd, not more than seven months after his last visit.

Several things were different this time around. Instead of playing solo, Ari brought an impressive group of musicians anyone would be proud to call their band. Thad DeBrock and Rob Calder played electric and bass, respectively, and Doug Yowell awed the audience with his arsenal of percussion toys. Ari, as per usual, graced the crowd with music from his acoustic guitar and phenomenal voice.

Due to demand and a quick sell-out after the concert announcement was made, Ari agreed to schedule a second show for the following night, giving fans of the Kessler House Concert Series the option to come on Sunday or Monday evening. Expectedly, the Monday night show sold out as well.

Early on, Ari confessed he was suffering from a cold and had chosen to sing select songs a half-step lower than usual. One would have never suspected a struggle for accurate tone; his vocal delivery was superb. A house concert setting eliminates any need to labor for lyrical comprehension. An absence of typical background noise in a bar (crowd chatter, bottles hitting trash cans, plates clanking in the kitchen) makes listening to a song as easy as conversing with a friend over lunch.

Another perk to attending a house concert is the easily apparent comfort and openness with which the performers handle their audience. As Ari set the scene prior to playing “Cranberry Lake”, he explained how the song was written, who it was written with, why it was wrote, and how it is typically performed- a luxury not normally seen in a typical club environment. He also made a point to clarify that the song, originally written as a duet with Amy Kuney, is sang in its entirety by him while on tour. “There are some funny things for a man to be singing about in there,” he acknowledged with a chuckle.

Ari referenced his Project 52 several times over the course of the evening, sharing the struggles and innovation he encountered while delivering his promise of a new, original song every week for an entire year. Crafted and produced almost entirely on his own in his Brooklyn home, Hest used ordinary household objects when a song demanded a rhythmic accompaniment. “I’m not a percussionist,” he confessed while highlighting that Doug Yowell’s contributions have since replaced Ari’s somewhat novice attempts.

Hest also discussed, with much pride, contentment with his decision to produce music as an independent artist again. Having grazed the fields on either side of that fence, he declared satisfaction with his choice to not renew a contract with his previous label, Columbia. Citing controlled creativity as a major culprit, Ari talked to the audience, much like we were his long-time friends, about the joy he finds in creating music on his own terms and at his own pace.

While several new factors increased the merriment of Ari’s performance from last August (particularly the accompaniment of his band), familiar features were still present. As was the case last time, story-telling and fact-sharing were widespread through the duration of the event, further enhancing the uniqueness of a house concert. Ari’s exceptional and distinctive voice was still the highlight of the show, reaching high notes some female vocalists would be envious of. And, of course, what concert at The Kessler House would be complete without a second-set guest appearance by Steve and Jane’s dog, Monty, plopping mid-song at the feet of the guests of honor?

The conclusion of the show brought overwhelming feelings of complete satisfaction and wholeness. Hest’s music is stunning and the intimate environment in which it was shared undoubtedly made all feel privileged to be a part of something so special. We can only hope such an opportunity will be presented with these fine artists again.