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

Ariana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Everyone has been understood at one point or another. In my experience, this phenomena of mischaracterization has been centered around my blackness in relation to the music I create. I’ve been performing music for years with various groups and have dabbled in genres like jazz, rock, pop, rap, electronica, and more. In a culture where music genres have been twisted, fused, and transcended many times over, I find myself taking influence from every corner of music to create an authentic blend of my own, but people in general, especially those who write about music, often prefer to place artists in neat little boxes. In my case, an individual sees me, a black woman, and assumes my sound is soul or r&b, even when presented the actual music, and provided insight into the intentions and sounds of the music in question. It’s more annoying than anything, having to constantly un-pigeonhole myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Ari Voxx is DC’s Dreamy Pop Princess. Well-versed in many different music worlds, she focuses on writing music that is eclectic and authentically her, transcending genres. Ari’s sound is heavily inspired by the moods and vibes of 80s/90s new-wave and pop artists, with influences ranging from Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and The Cure, to The Eurythmics, Soundgarden, and Imogen Heap.

As a Black, Queer, Female artist and mental health awareness advocate, Ari’s music is reflective of her diverse environment and experiences – themes like alienation, heartache, self-identity, and her struggles with anxiety and depression often occur in her songwriting. The kaleidoscopic lens through which she creates is encapsulated by a dreamy, soft-glam aesthetic, and usually involves melancholic undertones.

Ari’s stage presence is powerful and commanding, yet delicate and ethereal, with vocals that soar, bend, and transport you into her hazy dreamland. When accompanied by her band, The Sad Lads, her sound becomes thoroughly reverbed and synth-driven. The Lads Ryan Boshart and Jegug Ih are synth kings, dedicated dudes; passionate princes. With ear-catching guitar melodies and thick, burgeoning basslines, Ryan and Jegug bring an element of shoegaze and synthpop, shaped by their diverse backgrounds in jazz, classical, punk, and disco. And also, Ben.

A performance from Ari Voxx and The Sad Lads casts an encompassing nostalgic atmosphere over the listener. Expect to experience misty soundwaves propelled by pulsating beats, generously draped with precise, dynamic vocals.

Their debut album entitled “I’m Okay, Please Stop Asking” drops on 8.18.2023, full of stories of self-worth, depression, dreams, fantasies, and the exploration of the human condition.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Of course I desire some level of success from this music career – to be able to stop living paycheck to paycheck, worrying about taking care of myself and my family. But the real goal is to connect with people. To find and establish a community of like-minded creatives and just exist harmoniously and uniquely.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

“If they can’t do it right, do it yourself.”

While it’s definitely important and valuable to be self-sufficient, or a jack of all trades, it’s also beneficial to collaborate with other people, especially creatives. To learn to trust and compromise for the sake of some beautiful creation is usually worth it, despite the bumps in the road along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AriVoxx.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Ari.Voxx
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ari.Voxx
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arivoxx

Image Credits
All photos taken by Wesley Meyer