Madison native Ari Herstand will try just about anything once ... when it comes to his music.
This Saturday night, when the Minneapolis-based music man returns home before a two-month recording break, he'll try something else he doesn't usually do: play with a band.
While some guys would give anything for a smidgeon of musical talent - especially after another Valentine's Day spent aimlessly twanging acoustic guitars - Herstand can tease out jazz, folk and even ska melodies from more than eight different instruments and has been compared to everyone from Ben Folds and Dave Matthews, to Nick Drake and John Coltrane.
Give me an instrument and, in a couple of weeks, I'll learn it,"" Herstand joked, although he's probably right.
Accustomed to flying solo, Herstand's lively performances usually unfold like musical versions of Bop-It - splicing guitars, pianos, trumpets and even vocal beat-boxing into a hodgepodge of assorted harmonies while somehow commanding each simultaneously. Right now you might be picturing Herstand as some kind of octopus virtuoso, but his self-constructed ensembles owe more to technology than tentacles. By recording each instrument individually, looping them in playback and then moving to the next, Herstand surrounds his vocals with a phantom orchestra. The dynamic style is called ""looping,"" a term that could also apply to Herstand's decision to end his tour in Madison, where it began almost one year ago.
But despite multiple Madison performances, Herstand pointed out this weekend's performance would be more than just a refried version of an old show.
""I always bring some tricks up my sleeve when I come to Madison ... We have two or three new songs that we'll be performing that will be included on the new album ... it should be a nice treat for fans.""'""After this weekend's performance, Herstand will head back to Cannon Falls, Minn., to record his third album at Pachyderm Recording Studios - famous for recording Nirvana's _In Utero_.
His biggest influences on the new album, outside of new producer Chris Kalgren of This World Fair, has come from his own backyard. ""I can't say enough about what Minneapolis has to offer in terms of music, it's incredible. I think we have the greatest music city in the world right now.""
Outside of Minnesota, fellow indie-artist Ingrid Michaelson has also grabbed Herstand's attention.
Herstand expects to finish his new album in early April and then resume performing with the added excitement of his first east coast tour in May. Although the constant travel must wear on any independent artist, Herstand doesn't seem to mind.
""I love performing, that's how I started off ... I love building up the grass roots following and working with building the fan base."" Herstand and his band will be at the Annex in Madison this Saturday.
