Ari Hest

(folk rock/acoustic/pop)

Where: Maintenance Shop

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $10 students, $13 public (tickets increase $1 day of show)

Hear him: www.arihest.com

Influences:

“A lot of my earlier songs were inspired by things I went though, like struggling with love and relationships. This time, on many songs I consciously took a step back and tried to look through other people’s eyes. Maybe it’s because I’m a little older or maybe I just care more about what’s going on in the world.” (from AriHest.com)

His story:

Ari Hest, 27, is a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter with impressive vocal capabilities that have the ability to slide between baritone and falsetto. Starting out working his way through coffeehouse open mic nights as an undergrad at NYU, Hest has since made a name for himself with the release of seven albums, beginning with his 2004 debut album, “Someone to Tell.”

His newest album, “The Break In,” was recorded in Santa Monica with Mitchell Froom, a veteran producer whose past clients include Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Suzanne Vega, Los Lobos and Ron Sexsmith.

The album is a compilation of songs Ari wrote on his own as well as with other musicians. According to his Web site, “The Break In” offers a new perspective for Hest listeners.

“These songs are ultimately hopefully,” he explains. “In the end, the predominant message is that I’m going to figure this out and it’s going to be OK.”

– Kelly Howard, Daily Staff Writer