Ari Herstand

Ari Seth Herstand (born June 1, 1985) is an American musician, songwriter, author, actor, blogger based in Los Angeles, California (previously Minneapolis, Minnesota). He is the CEO and founder of the music business education and artist advocacy company, Ari's Take. [1]

Ari Herstand
Ari Herstand in Joshua Tree in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAri Seth Herstand
Born (1985-06-01) June 1, 1985
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
GenresRock
Pop
Folk
Funk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
author
actor
music industry blogger
InstrumentsVocals
Guitar
Piano
Trumpet
Beat Boxing
Boss RC 50 Loop Station
Years active1985–present
LabelsAri's Take, Inc
Associated actsBrassroots District
Websitehttp://www.AriHerstand.com

Herstand has played at Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI and the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX, as well as Carnegie Hall.[2][3] He has played with various artists including Milk Carton Kids, Phil Vassar, Matt Nathanson, Joshua Radin, Eric Hutchinson, and Ron Pope.[3][4][5] He has received airplay on NPR's program All Things Considered[6][7] and Cities 97[8]

He is known on television for his roles in Transparent,[9] Aquarius,[9] Mad Men,[10] 2 Broke Girls, Touch, The Fosters, and Sam & Cat.[11]

He is the author of How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician (Liveright)[12]

Herstand runs the podcast The New Music Business, in which he interviews musicians and music-industry professionals.[13]

Background

Ari Herstand grew up in both Madison, Wisconsin and Shorewood, Wisconsin. He is self-taught on the piano and began playing guitar at 14. He picked up the trumpet in 5th grade.[3]

Herstand briefly studied music education at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. In 2004, he transferred to McNally Smith College of Music (MusicTech at the time) in St. Paul, MN and began his career as a singer-songwriter. While a student, he played coffee shops and club shows extensively at and around the University of Minnesota usually with cellist Lucas Shogren. Through grass roots promotion and a buzz generated from live performances on the UMN campus Herstand gained local popularity.

Herstand's music gained wider acclaim in 2006 when his songs were played on The Real World.[14] He performed at the South by Southwest Music festival in Austin, Texas in 2006 and 2007 and was a speaker 2015 – 2019.[15] He performed Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and helped book and run the Chipotle Rhythm Kitchen and Tiki Hut stages from 2006 to 2010.[16]

In 2008, Ari Herstand showcased at the NACA (National Association for Campus Activities) Northern Plains region, where he booked over 50 shows for the 2008–2009 school year. He showcased at NACA Northern Plains region again in 2013[17] and Nationals in 2014[18] along with showcasing at various APCA conferences.[19]

Herstand has played the majority of his shows solo. He spent the beginning of 2012 in Minnesota recording his new album with producer Paul Marino, drummer Dave King, bassist Jim Anton, guitarist Jake Hanson, keyboardist Joey Kantor and vocalists Alicia Wiley and Tonia Hughes. He funded this album primarily through his successful Kickstarter Campaign.[19] The album was mastered by Bernie Grundman Mastering in September 2012. The album entitled, Brave Enough, was released at the Hotel Cafe on March 29, 2014 with an 8 piece band.

He released the book, How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician on December 20, 2016.[20]

Forbes Magazine called Ari Herstand "The poster child of DIY music."[21]

Brassroots District

In 2018, Herstand launched the funk/soul band, Brassroots District, with Nina Storey. Their first show was at the Teragram Ballroom supporting Lawrence in Los Angeles. Herstand currently fronts the band (under the alias "Copper Jones"). Brassroots District puts on immersive, 1973 concert experiences around Los Angeles.[22]

Music Industry Blogging

In Spring 2012, Herstand started the music business blog Ari's Take[23] to help independent musicians build careers without the help of a record label. The blog is based on Herstand's experience as a touring musician (with 600+ shows) as well as his work as an artist manager. Ari's Take articles have been featured on, CD Baby, Music Connection, TuneCore, Digital Music News, Roland, American Songwriter, and Hypebot.[24][25][26][27]

Herstand was a staff writer for Digital Music News from December 2013 through August 2018.[28]

Author

Herstand is the author of How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician.[29] The foreword was written by Derek Sivers.[20] The book was released on December 20, 2016 with Liveright Publishing. Music Connection Magazine reviewed the book and wrote "How to Make It in the New Music Business might well be the best “how to" book of its kind."[30] Andy Grammer said "There is a great divide between what the young musician thinks being a rock star is and what actually working as a musician entails. Ari fills in the blanks with his light hearted yet blunt demeanor. He's the informed older brother most of us never got in this crazy, confusing industry."[31] Derek Sivers said "This is the single best book on the current music business. An absolute must read for every musician."[20] Jack Conte said "Ari is at the front of the front. He gets it. I've read a hundred how-to-make-it-in-the-music-biz books, and this one is today's definitive, comprehensive manual."[20] Peter Hollens said "Ari understands this space. He gives a tremendous amount of information. Anyone wanting to make music for a living should read this, period."[20]

Independent Music Professionals United and AB5

Beginning in November 2019, Herstand worked to "save his industry from detrimental changes" that would be brought about by California bill AB5.[32] AB5 "reclassifies musicians from independent contractors to employees… to hire a musician for a recording session… [a recording artist would have to] become their employer… get worker's comp insurance, unemployment insurance, set up a payroll company."[32] Herstand wrote a blog post that went viral, founded Independent Music Professionals United, gathered 185,000 signatures on a petition, and met with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and Senate Majority leader Robert Hertzberg.[33] On April 17, a compromise measure was announced to exempt the vast majority of musicians from most provisions of AB5.[34] The bill, AB2257, which Herstand helped write, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 4th, 2020 [35]

UnCancelled Music Festival

When the Coronavirus shut down the live music industry, Herstand, along with friends Andrew Leib and Ashley Maietta launched UnCancelled Music Festival. All shows were livestreamed from artists' homes on the platform Stageit where fans had to purchase tickets to attend the performances and could tip the artists during the show. The festival engaged music venues to book talent and curate stages so they could participate in the revenue generated to help keep the businesses afloat during the crisis. Part of the proceeds were donated to the Recording Academy's Emergency Financial Assistance fund MusiCares. The festival featured over 350 artists from around the globe including Colbie Caillat, Betty Who, Josh Radnor, Waxahatchee, Beach Bunny and Snail Mail. The festival organizers look to keep the festival active until live music returns to music venues.[36][37]

Discography

Studio releases
Released independently:
  • Brave Enough (2014)
  • Whispering Endearments (2008)
  • Baby Eyes (2005)

Live, single and EP releases
Released independently:
  • Take Allotta Sweat (2018) with Brassroots District
  • Repetition (2018) with Brassroots District[22]
  • Together (2018) with Brassroots District
  • Cabarete (2018)
  • Clean Up (2011) – Reached No. 11 on iTunes singer-songwriter charts
  • Live at The Pause (2010)
  • One Take (2007)

References
  1. "Ari's Take". Ari's Take. Ari's Take. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. Volney, Katie. "Crowd favorite Ari Herstand returns to Gustavus for another performance." The Gustavian Weekly October 2, 2009: Arts.
  3. Maccabee, Leora. "A few words with Sexy Minnesota Jew and Acoustic Pop Musician Ari Herstand." TCJewfolk.com February 16, 2010: Arts.
  4. Malahy, Mary. "Local favorite returns to La Crosse." The Racquet November 16, 2009: Arts.
  5. Lampe, Greg. "Up and Coming Musician Performing at the Warehouse." The Racquet February 11, 2009: Arts.
  6. "All Things Considered – Music Guide". NPR. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  7. Ross, Danny. "3 Reasons Why Indie Musicians Are Over SXSW". Forbes. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  8. "Cities 97 – Live From Studio C". KTCZ-FM. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  9. "Ari Herstand". IMDb. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  10. Claiborne, Alex (May 1, 2015). "From Madtown to "Mad Men" – Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin". Isthmus.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  11. "2 Broke Girls – 'And the Broken Hip' Episode Info – MSN TV". Tv.msn.com. February 1, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  12. Herstand, Ari; Sivers, Derek (December 2, 2016). How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician (1 ed.). Liveright. ISBN 9781631491504.
  13. "Ari Herstand, Launches "The New Music Business" Podcast with Guests Including Andy Grammer, Jen Malone & More". The Hype Magazine. The Hype Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  14. "Ari Herstand: Live At The Pause DVD/CD Release, 02/26/10 at the Fine Line – Borangutan". Borangutan.com. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  15. "SXSW Panel Explores Whether Musicians Still Need Record Labels". KJZZ. March 1, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  16. "Musician Ari Herstand – Neon Entertainment Booking Agency Corporate College Entertainment". Neon Entertainment Booking Agency Corporate College Entertainment. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  17. thebrightestagency (April 2, 2013), Ari Herstand NACA Northern Plains 1, retrieved December 23, 2016
  18. thebrightestagency (April 2, 2014), Ari Herstand: College Musician – NACA Nationals Showcase 2014, retrieved December 23, 2016
  19. Chua, Meghan (April 1, 2012). "Ari Herstand finds Midwestern muse : Daily-cardinal". Host.madison.com. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  20. Herstand, Ari (2017). Amazon.com: How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician (9781631491504): Ari Herstand, Derek Sivers: Books. ISBN 978-1631491504.
  21. Ross, Danny. "Meet the Poster Child of DIY Music". Forbes. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  22. "Jambase.com: Brassroots District Issues New Single 'Repetition'".
  23. "Ari's Take – The Biz Behind Full-Time Independent Music by musician Ari Herstand". Aristake.com. March 2, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  24. "How I Made $13,544 In A Month (on Kickstarter) | TuneCore Blog". Blog.tunecore.com. August 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  25. "5 Big Lessons From A Successful $13,000 Kickstarter Album Funding Campaign". hypebot. June 6, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  26. "Booking Your Own Tour: A How-To Guide". Ascap.com. December 1, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  27. "Become a Local Star: How to Pack a Club in Your Hometown « DIY Musician Blog DIY Musician Blog". Diymusician.cdbaby.com. January 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  28. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. Ross, Danny. "An Artist's Step-By-Step Guide To Making Money And Impact in Music". Forbes. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  30. "Book Preview: How to Make It in the New Music Business". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  31. Noble, Barnes &. "How To Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  32. Pilla, Sarah. "Music Rights Orgs Team With CA Legislature to Protect Music Industry From AB5". Spectrum News. Spectrum News. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  33. "California Legislators Amend AB5 Gig Economy Law to Protect Music Professionals". Billboard. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  34. Smith, Kevin. "Music industry, lawmakers, unions agree on revamp to AB5". The Orange County Register. The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  35. =Kurson, Ken. "Quirky Musician and Podcaster Might Have Been AB5's Most Effective Opponent". California Globe. California Globe=September 29, 2020.
  36. Millman, Ethan. "An 'Uncancelled' Festival Will Bring Music to Your Home Every Week". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  37. "Colbie Caillat, Betty Who & More Announced for 'UnCancelled' Virtual Benefit Festival". Billboard. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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