Meet Ari Tibi

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ari Tibi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ari, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from all directions, but it originates with my parents, that’s for sure! They’re both bold, creative, and I know I got my mom’s tenacity. I remember I was about 11 years old, watching a stage being built at the community center in my neighborhood and I told my mom I wanted to perform on it. She said, “Well, go ask them!” So I marched right over there and said, “Can I sing?” I think Pink was performing so they definitely said no, but a woman with a headset was very nice about it! I remember feeling proud of myself for asking, and the woman with the headset gave me the kind of smile that made me feel like that’s how I was gonna get noticed. That’s how I was gonna get what I wanted so badly: by straight up shooting my shot.

I’ve always had this burning passion for music. It’s been in me since I was very very little; I recorded in my dads garage studio at 4, started writing poetry at 6, and was performing Britney Spears records for thousands of screaming fans (they were invisible but they were there) from the ages of 7-10. I just had this knowing that I was supposed to be a singer and I couldn’t even really sing yet. Sharing songs with my brother, cousins and other family members sealed the deal: I was head over heels in love with how music changed the energy in a room and brought people together.

So, now, my audacious passion for music is where I get my resilience from. I’ve wanted to quit a hundred times, and got really close once or twice. But if it wasn’t the universe throwing me a bone (like a cool gig or songbird in my head) it’s the thought of my younger self and how desperately she believed in music.

Lastly…my resilience is backed by the people who listen and the people I share music with. Whether they’re in the audience or on stage with me, they are that insurance against stopping. I feel so strongly that music heals through its connectivity; that it’s a way to convey and release emotion that’s necessary for our survival. Folks have come up to me after shows and let me know that a song really touched them or helped them realize something; if I can give back to music half of what it’s given to me, I’ll never stop.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I just released a song called HOT GIRL SUMMER with my best friend and drummer Jessica Goodwin; we wrote it a few pride months ago about a girl who wouldn’t commit. It’s a super fun, bluesy, upbeat, go wild type of rock tune and it’s probably my favorite release so far!

I’m now working on my full length album. There are 10 (maybe more…) songs about grief, addiction, spirituality, and of course, looove. I’ve been writing these songs for the last four years and they’re finally ready to be tied together in a bow. My trio Luci will be featured on it as well!

On that note, I’m in a harmony folk/pop trio called Luci with my two sisters (from other misters) Ashley Maietta and Mckail Seely. We’ve been together about nine years now and are also working on a record. We’re in a new chapter of our lives so all of the songs are coming from a very present and honest perspective. Really really looking forward to putting that music out.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Musicianship (being a good hang, not taking anything personally, avoiding jealousy, cheering on your friends’ successes)

Technical skills (knowing how to run your own sound, learning your instrument to the best of your ability, knowing your industry business to the best of your ability)

Staying humble (there is ALWAYS more to learn!!!)

Let yourself make mistakes. In the beginning, I took hundreds of gigs a year, even if they were on a sidewalk. Especially if they were on a sidewalk. I learned self-sufficiency and got closer to my craft the more time I spent with it. So, in short, say yes as often as possible. Put yourself in situations where you’re a beginner! I follow Ari Herstand’s three tiers for taking a gig: money, fun, exposure. If it hits two out of the three, I take it. If it only hits one, I don’t!

I was also lucky enough to go on tour as a guitarist/vocalist for different bands and that taught me everything I needed to know about both sound and overcoming hiccups; everything that can go wrong WILL go wrong on tour, and learning how to find solutions without losing your mind was one of the greatest tools I’ve ever gotten!

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I mentioned briefly that I’m recording a solo album right now. Before I can raise any sort of funding for it, I have to have strong demos. The most cost-efficient way to get those demos is to record them myself. I’m proficient in the studio, but I wouldn’t say I’m an expert; and being both the artist and engineer is already challenging for a number of reasons. Emotions get involved and it’s hard to switch on your technical brain when you’re trying to be in the flow!

So the challenge right now is to keep myself going. To pause when I get agitated and take a break if I need to, but to always come back to it. To just keep going because what I want is absolutely possible, I just have to be the one to get myself there.

It’s been really special to feel that growth, honestly, even if it’s challenging. I’ve been through enough to believe in myself now, and I’ve thrown away enough songs to believe in this album, too.

I also couldn’t succeed without asking for help; and I am so lucky to have supportive friends and family around me! I love them to the ends of the earth. My brother bought me autotune, my roommate built me a vocal booth, my friend let me use her studio, etc. The more I focus on what I’m grateful for, the more I get back up and try again!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Mdz8DUdZmeARUm2WKvqKa?si=BICPNYKrRJWOgYgyqoJl1Q
• Instagram: aritibi
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ari-tibi/1479312173

Image Credits

Marri Savinar – everything else!
Leah Huebner – guitar headshots
Tour photos / live shots – no credit