Ari Joshua’s RAAR Trio: escaping through music

The first thing you need to know about Ari Joshua is that it is impossible to know everything about Ari Joshua. The South African born American raised guitarist has a very peculiar and comprehensive musical style, covering styles such as jazz, classic rock and progressive, often in the same song, with the same tranquility as someone drinking a glass of water. Even though his sound is close to renowned artists like Dave Matthews Band, he prefers to refrain from listing his references: “if we where in an open dialog I would just list names and tell you what I liked about them for days“, says Ari.

But we’re not just talking about talent here.

Ari Joshua is a follower of the Do it Yourself philosophy, and occasionally counts on the help of other renowned musicians to shape his compositions, as in the case of his new sound journey lasting more than 5 minutes: “Star light Mountain“, in the company of 2 other virtuoso musicians who form, with Ari, the Ari Joshua’s RAAR Trio. “This group is really Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton from The Trey Anastasio Band and myself. Ray and Russ have a band called Sould Monde, as a duo and I was drawn to that sound, and chemistry“, remembers Ari.

I have been trying to escape through the music for my whole life in a way.

Ari Joshua

2 5 Things about Ari Joshua

RC – Have you ever been compared to names like Dave Matthews or John Mayer? Tell us a bit about your influences.

AJ – Not a lot but with the vocal songs of mine I can see the parallel. My influences are as deep as the ocean, I have some many influences I could never count them. I prefer the listener tells me who they hear in there. It’s a listeners game to interpret that stuff, If we where in an open dialog I would just list names and tell you what I liked about them for days.

RC – “Star light Mountain” describes such a paradise vision, almost a escape from reality, what were you thinking while you were writing the tune?

AJ – I was going through a rough time. The drummer who I played this with many moons ago just passed on, he also struggled with drugs, and he was a great person. It’s about recovery really, but not just from drugs from despair, depression, abuse, you name it. I can understand why a person would see escape in there. I have been trying to escape through the music for my whole life in a way. Although it’s become less about escape and more about engaging in the moments.

RC – Your single has more than 5 minutes. Do you think people today still listen to such long tracks in times where TikTok demands artists to write songs for less than 3 minutes?

AJ – It’s mind blowing in 2024 people would need a certain length of music, like that would matter. In 1992 all I had was time to listen to long songs, and listen to them over and over. I prefer a good song never ends vs goes by in 3 minutes. I don’t know would you tell Hundertwasser to draw on a smaller canvas so people can see in all in one look? Tik Toc can eat a bag of 60 minute songs with no repeat sections.

RC – You describe yourself as a trio. Tell us who are the other 2 and how they contribute to shape your work.

AJ – This group is really Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton from The Trey Anastasio Band and myself. I first saw them in Vermont in like the year 2000 or maybe even like 1999 I don’t know. I was on a road trip with a friend and I recently met Jennifer Hartswick at that time, and I wanted to see them. I also cherished Phish from the early years. I was like from Pearl Jam and Nirvana to Phish in that era. I was digesting music in rapid fire mode. I learned everything within earshot that moved me. Ray and Russ have a band called Sould Monde, as a duo and I was drawn to that sound, and chemistry. I flew out over pandemic and used the safety protocols they put in place on their Beacon Theater run.

5 – Have you ever been to Brazil or in touch with our culture? Tell us about it! 🙂

AJ – My step family if from Brazil. I have never been. I would love to go and meet Hermeto in his home town and write music with him. I love to travel. Book me a tour and make sure we can pay our expenses!

Catch Ari Joshua on the road:

Ari Joshua Upcoming Tour Dates

The Suncatchers featuring Joe Doria & Ehssan Karimi
May 22 – Seamonster Lounge, Seattle, Wa

Interview
May 23 – Helping Friendly Podcast with RJ Bee and Hosts – Osiris

Ari Joshua Band
May 31 – Nectars – Burlington, VT
June 2 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY

Kris Yunker, Ari Joshua, Ben Atkind Trio dates
June 5th The Stone Church – Bratelboro, VT
June 7th TBA Brattleboro – VT

Check www.arijoshua.com for more dates

So, did you like Ari Joshua Trio’s sound? Tell us bellow, on the comments section!