ARI

Excited to introduce to you guys, ARI, the young and talented Canadian pop artist! Finding success at a young age already, this artist is raising the stakes! Bringing her own flair to her music and style, Ari spoke to us on her recent projects, her views on certain topics, and more. We are absolutely obsessed with her whole vibe and can’t wait for you to get to know her too! Enjoy!

On FRIENDSHIP

It took me till the end of high school to find my first real friend that I knew would stick by me no matter what. I learned the hard way that just because you care about someone and put effort into them, it doesn’t mean they will do the same. It’s hard to find real friendship these days, but I can luckily say that I have found a few true friends that believe in and love me no matter what. HOLD ONTO THOSE PEOPLE!!

On FAMILY

I have quite a crazy family dynamic, lots of half siblings, step brothers etc.. however I definitely lucked out on that front because they’re all pretty dam cool. Family is super important to me, I could definitely communicate with them more than I do. Ive always been weird like that, I’ve kinda always kept to myself, but they know that even though I don’t say it much I would do anything for them.

On SEXUAL FLUIDITY

Honestly, do whatever and whoever makes you happy.  Be yourself and live that truth. As long as you’re not being an asshole to people, then it doesn’t matter what gender or sexual orientation you prefer, just be a good person.

On FAITH

I think it’s beautiful to believe in something, have faith in something. I’m not super big into religion, but I am a big believer in the universe and it having a bigger purpose. Law of attraction, energy and manifestation have been something that has always been an interest of mine and I try to integrate that into my outlooks on life as a whole. 

On GENDER EQUALITY 

I don’t know what else to say about this other than the fact that its still in question is ridiculous…. Why the heck shouldn’t genders be equal, why does one have to be superior to the other, the answer, it doesn’t.

On SOCIAL MEDIA

Double edged sword. Social media has done a lot of great things and propelled so much social change in the world. However, it is also one of the worst mentally killing platforms to ever exist. It destroys people’s confidence in themselves. We get so attached to the lives we see through a screen that we forget that we’re only seeing someone’s highlight reel and then we feel unsatisfied with our own lives cause it’s not “perfect”. My best advice, No one’s life is what it looks like through a screen, trust me.

On IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS

You are perfectly justified to take whatever stance you believe in (as long as it is not harmful to others of course), however, do not, and I repeat, DO NOT try to shove your political beliefs down my or anyone else throats please and thank you.

On IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL STYLE

I think it’s super important to have your own personal style. It’s like saying who you are, without saying who you are. It’s one of the main ways we express ourselves. My style for quite some time has been all over the place.  I’ve just really recently have been experimenting more and more and to be transparent – I feel like as I’ve started to get to know myself better, as a person and an artist – my style has developed along with my own personal journey. 

On CULTURAL DIVERSITY

I’m Jamaican, Guyanese, Indian, German, and French. And no that wasn’t from 23 and me haha, that’s just from directly my parents. Since I grew up ethnically diverse I did experience a bit of cultural diversity. However for the most part I grew up as a normal (unibrowed) Canadian kid.

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How do you describe yourself as an artist? What do you believe is your purpose?

To be honest, I’m still figuring out who that is.  I always want to be honest and write about the things I actually feel whether it’s complimentary or not. I strive to be the kind of artist that never puts out something half assed or a song I don’t care for. I want people to believe in what I do, and to make sure that happens, I’ll always stay true to what I actually believe in.

Tell us more about your latest releases. How have you grown as an artist since the release of your EP Kiss Me, Kill Me?

Last year as a whole was a rollercoaster – it was my first year releasing music ever so a lot of trial and error. There was a big growth period between my first single last February until I released Kiss Me, Kill Me. I feel like the last few tracks I released started taking me back into the edgier side of my music which allowed me to regroup on what I was looking for in the new music to come. Since then, I’ve been writing more, experimenting with different genres for melodies, and really pushing my range and capabilities as an artist and a person. So I’m excited to share that growth with everyone on this new release:) 

What inspired you to write your different EP and albums? What impact do you hope they have on your audience?

All of the songs I have put thus far have come from my own personal experience. I mainly just wanted to share who I was with the world. IDIOT GRL as an EP was the story of how I grew up and a lot of the things I had to face. Those things have all shaped me into who I am now as well as my music. In terms of impact, I guess I just hope that people can connect to my music in whatever way possible. It’s always crazy to see that something that is so personal to me can still mean so many different things depending on who’s listening.

Growing up, how did music help you?

Music definitely shaped me. It was there for me in my darkest moments to help me express how I feel. It was there to celebrate with me when I just felt like dancing. Music is my longest standing friend, one that’ll be with me till the day I die.

Share with us what you believe is the secret to your success at a young age?

The support around me honestly. I couldn’t do what I do without the team that helps me. We’re quite small, but without my manager and a handful of people who are always willing to help because they believe in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

In what ways has quarantine taught you more about yourself as a person? as an artist?

It definitely forced me to learn some things about myself. As much as I would die to have it be over, a part of me is glad that it happened for the sole purpose of the things it helped me learn about myself. I’m not perfect at it yet, but it helped really hone in on being ok with myself, and being ok alone. For that I am grateful. As an artist, however, I can’t say much good has come out of it, unfortunately. It halted all performances and most ways to grow as an emerging musician we took away. Im lucky to have had such an amazing response to my music thus far, however, I can’t wait to begin my pst covid career someday (hopefully) soon.

If you could describe yourself as a music genre, which would you pick and why?

I’d definitely say it falls under the pop genre. My first couple songs were more on the pop r&b scale, then it kind of turned into more alternative pop. Either way, I seem to remain in the pop genre and try and experiment with different sub-elements, I like to leave room to try new things while still staying me.

Do you have any plans for 2021? What can your audience expect?

You can expect lots more music! I also would really love to start putting out more music videos for you guys to see. Maybe even a live performance or two….. Either way, you will have to stay tuned to see 🙂

TEAM CREDITS

@tilted.style
Talent Ari @arihicks
Photography Nicole Davis @nd__
Interview by Alexandra Bonnet @alexbonnetwrites
Visual Artist @nd__ and Lakehills @lakehills_
Lighting Jake Burkhardt @jbxcreative
Styling Shirin Nadjafi @sh333n
Makeup Vanessa Baudner @vanessab.makeup