Original Link: https://plasticmag.co.uk/2023/06/interview-ari-joshua-drops-new-single/

INTERVIEW: Ari Joshua drops new single

In the realm of jazz and improvisation, Ari Joshua stands as an exciting musical pioneer, showcasing his diverse musical upbringing and passion for his creative vision. Originally hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, and raised in Seattle, Ari’s deep-rooted connection to music was evident from a young age. With a scholarship to study music on the East Coast, he honed his skills and discovered the power of musical expression.

Ari Joshua has earned a well-deserved place among the most beloved performers in the music scene. Collaborating with rock ‘n roll legends like Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, Michel Shreive of Santana, Barrett Martin of Mad Season and Screaming Trees, and REM’s Peter Buck, Ari’s musical journey has been enriched by his interactions with these influential artists.

However, Ari’s passion for music extends beyond his performances. As the founder of The Music Factory, he has created a platform that’s provided close to 100,000 music lessons, nurturing the next generation of musicians and supporting the community. This commitment to music education highlights Ari’s desire to give back and inspire others to embrace the transformative power of music.

In his latest single, “Let’s Do It Right Now,” Ari Joshua links up with jazz legends Billy Martin and John Medeski of the renowned improvisational group MMW (Medeski Martin & Wood). Recorded at Applehead Recording, a boutique residential facility situated on a picturesque barn in Woodstock, New York, this release emanates a sense of enchantment. The collaborative efforts of Ari Joshua on guitar, Billy Martin’s rhythmic wizardry on drums, John Medeski’s keyboard virtuosity and Jason Fraticelli’s expertise on upright bass give birth to a sonic masterpiece.

“Let’s Do It Right Now” bridges the gap between the traditional and the contemporary. Mixing engineer Eric Eagle adds layers of manipulated analogue tape to create a superb blend of sounds, infusing the track with freshness and depth. Crafted as a heartfelt tribute to the late and legendary Elvin Jones, the composition embodies the delicate balance between familiarity and innovation. Every note, rhythm and harmony exemplifies Ari’s intention to honour Jones while pushing the boundaries of musical expression.

With a duration of over nine minutes, “Let’s Do It Right Now” takes listeners on an instrumental jazz odyssey. Grooving rhythms and soulful funk permeate the track, carried by the exceptional musicianship of Ari Joshua and his collaborators. Each instrument weaves seamlessly together, allowing for captivating solos that showcase the immense talent and creativity of these seasoned jazz virtuosos.

Ari Joshua’s “Let’s Do It Right Now” is a modern masterpiece, a testament to the power of collaboration and the boundless possibilities of jazz music. It captures the essence of musical expression, evoking emotions and invigorating the imagination of the listener. With this release, Ari Joshua continues to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of jazz and improvisation, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting his next sonic endeavour.

We caught up with Ari Joshua to find out more about his musical inspirations, his new single “Let’s Do It Right Now” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out out interview with Ari Joshua below.

Hey Ari, how’s things?

Really great. Thanks for asking. Just focusing on the days one moment at a time, trying to navigate this dynamic time we live in. Been learning to enjoy the views along the path and to approach things in a holistic way. This last year I launched a label to share my music through, and my music school The Music Factory is celebrating having purchased the land & building we have been in for many years, so things are good. There is a saturation level happening.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

I grew up in a family that sang a lot, every Friday and Saturday there was singing, but as far as artists when I was 6 or so, Tim Noah, Disney Records, and Tickle Tune Typhoon ruled the airwaves. The first real cats I was moved by though was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. First came Jimi then Stevie, then all the great blues cats they grew up on.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

My grandmother said in Cape Town my first word was Music. ‘Mimic’ I played piano for a few months when I was young, but I wanted a more rock n roll approach, and my teacher wasn’t having it and I wanted to play guitar. Shortly after there was an athletic phase, all energy went to thinking about being like Michael Jordan.. I was certain I would be a basketball player but as fate would have it I was given a cheap guitar in middle school called “The Terminator” and I remember learning the national anthem by ear. I turned up all the way and actually smashed my first guitar on the basketball court in my back yard.. I guess that was the turning point, that was the first ‘memory’.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

Today I am drawing a lot of inspiration from life long artists I have access to, and admire. There are a few legends I have had the fortunate chance to get advice from, and I have been thinking alot about the things they say. I wanna soak up all the knowledge I can, make art, resonate with the right people, and just be a messenger for the art form. As far as current artists, I like some of the EDM guys, like Tipper, and iLL Gates, they are really pushing the envelope on what’s possible in the studio. I have a track coming with iLL Gates on drums, something totally different then what folks are used to from me. I draw inspiration from so many sources it’s to many to list.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I am trying to find greater meaning in what it means to be alive, and a part of this amazing thing called life. I get inspiration from looking at nature, and thinking about the way time, and harmony work. It’s an endless source. The way the stars look at night just inspires me. Taking care of The Music Factory and thinking about the teachers, and all the seeds we are planting inspires me as well.

What do you love about the Northwest music scene?

It’s a great place to grow up, it’s a great place to learn as a kid. There are a lot of really wonderful people, and all the teachers and students at The Music Factory, and all the families are really special. I loved living in New York and Pennsylvania as well. The NW comes with a legacy of original art that is so unique. The kind of artists that really slice into the fabric of time, the Kurt Cobain’s, Jimi Hendrix’s, the Quincy Jones’s, bands that have been able to keep going for so many years like Pearl Jam, and cats like these make it really special. There is an energy that’s always a few steps ahead. My friend KJ Sawka is another example, he really was on the crest of the wave of the music.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I really want to explore the spatial audio and surround sound areas. I hear my music like that.
A good pair of stereo noise canceling headphones will help a listener really hear the details of the mixes we are putting out. I always love live performances as well. If you wanna feel it, I would suggest closing your eyes and really letting the music take you on a journey. The music is full of feelings, and expression, and I try to really exploit the stereo field. I mean listening on a phone is better than nothing, but you’re gonna miss like 80% of the magic.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I have always gravitated to artists that really feel the music, and that are really expressing life through the notes. When I was younger I gravitated to learning complex forms, and polyrhythmic music, but less to impress or to execute the patterns, and more to be able to let go and dig deeper with the art. I have made a lot of music in a lot of styles, but I can hear a common thread in there. There is a sound but I am not sure it’s for me to describe. It all stems from the blues though. Blues, groove. Ironically I am less concerned with how I sound now, and rather just more concerned with finding ways to enjoy the moments, inevitably the sounds just happen.

How did you find making your new single “Let’s Do It Right Now”?

“Let’s Do It Right Now” is the second release with Billy Martin, John Medeski, and Jason Fraticelli. The first was an all improv EP called “Meeting of the Minds”. I always love getting the right artwork together. Burgundy Viscosi did the art for MOTM and Monte at Forest Shore did LDIRN. The song is a tribute to Elvin Jones and it was a bit of a departure from what I would normally compose for a session with Billy and John, but it seemed like the right move. I carried this song conceptually with me for 20 years, when I met Elvin.. Billy is a deep cat. He empowered me to see what came up in the room on the day, in the moment, I mean I composed like 20 ideas for that session, and I closed my eyes at one point and did an eenie meenie miney mo and it just came up. Those guys are so fucking great. I just wanted to explore it all with them, I loved every moment of the process. Because the form was rather traditional,
In the mix process Eric Eagle and I put the guitar and drums through a plethora of out board gear, twisting knobs, and manipulating tape to put a vibe on it.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

I just wanted to honour Elvin Jones, and get this out there. I will always love to swing, and that Coltrane spirit and sound is something that will carry with me for all times. Certain people just leave you with something you know. LDIRN was a vehicle to lock in and show some love to that era, to a legend, and I think Jazz and Jam fans will discover this and be able to hear John and Billy and Jason and I in a way they may not have normally been able to find.

How did you find collaborating with Billy Martin and John Medeski?

I studied these cats going way way back. They are icons of a generation in a way. In the 90’s right away I could see they were tapping into something I both understood and wanted to understand more. You know what, these guys are operating on a real honest level and with a heavy dose of virtuosity and creativity.. You can see it, and you can hear it, they are just taking risks and confronting things with their art that alot of people stray away from. I just felt so blessed, and I would just love to make more content with these lovely people and talented players. I found them to be generous with their knowledge, and very open and accepting. It felt more like I was in a room with a few guys that I grew up with. It had the feeling of both being in high school in a room with my friends, but at the same time some of the best players in the world. The improv was like stepping into a timeless painting, knowing that each brush stroke was fitting just right on the canvas, they opened up a portal where I felt like I could paint anything, any stroke was the right stroke, even the wrong strokes. The forms we played it was just really effortless and organic..

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

I have been going back and listening to my friends’ music, and music I listened to as a teen. The good stuff never gets old. I have a 1989 Corolla I am driving so all my old tapes are getting dusted off and replayed. There are some demo’s in there from my early 20’s too, I love to hear it. It’s a great feeling. I’ll check anything out.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

There is more to life than we know. I feel like the notes come through me & not from me. Art is a way of connecting to something bigger. I would like people to feel like they can connect to that source through the music. If there are other players that would want to play my tunes I would love that too, I publish the charts all on my site at www.arijoshua.com but you know, the music is like a medicine for a lot of us, and ultimately I want to make the world a better place. I feel like the whole world going back hundreds of millions of years formed and evolved just to place us here now, and that’s what my music is, an expression of all that.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

My favourite live performances? There are a few categories, I’ll never forget playing in my high school bands, that feeling of connecting with an audience for the first time. I loved Big High, my rock band, we were only around for a few years, but it was a really special band, there are 2 Big High albums out there, our last show was magical. I miss that band.. All in all I don’t have a favourite. I just know if my body starts to tingle or vibrate, something really wonderful is happening. Whenever that happens next, that will be my favourite.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Alive or dead? As for not around anymore, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Jimi Hendrix. As for being alive, maybe Pearl Jam, Phish, and Robert Glasper. That’s a tough question.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

So much advice I could never put it to a single paper. If you want to follow footsteps please, contact me through The Music Factory and set up some sessions. In fact any parents, kids or aspiring professionals that want lessons reach out to us at www.musicfactorynw.com and we can set that all up! But in all seriousness, if anyone wants advice, I will be an open book and gladly share. I have experienced so many diverse situations and adversities at this point. I sought out all the knowledge and information I could get for so long. I’ve made so many mistakes and had a lot of opportunities. I guess the advice I have mainly is to follow your heart, and to do the best with what you got, if you can do %1 better than you did in the past you’re probably going to do alright. I believe in sharing knowledge.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

In 2023 I am gonna be in the studio mixing and producing more music, and spending time working on my music school, our garden, the building which we just acquired, and lining up more shows and recordings. Expect more releases from these cats John Medeski, Billy Martin, Jason Fraticelli, Ray Paczcowski, Russ Lawton, Big High, John Kimock, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, Grant Schroff, Eden Ladin, Andy Hess, and more. I have been mixing with Jon Plum, Ari Raskin, Eric Eagle, Matt Rifino, at a round robin of studios. 2023 will be about exploring ways to build on the mission. I gather there are about 300 original songs on my storage devices. I just wanna create and get out there more and share the music. It’s a balance of The Music Factory for music education and also finding quality time to spend with my GF, and the family, and working to put out more art one way or another.

Listen to Let’s Do It Right Now below

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xx8k2eVTrjy5s8tal8yCe