First Friday: Ari Hest

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ari Hest has built a remarkable career—first gaining a devoted following through college touring, then releasing major-label albums, and later pioneering fan-driven projects like 52 and The Treehouse Project on Patreon. Over two decades, he’s performed with artists such as The Indigo Girls, Martin Sexton, Judy Collins, and Suzanne Vega, with his songs featured in The Path, The Lincoln Lawyer, Private Practice, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. His ongoing Treehouse Project delivers a new song every two weeks, with fans voting on favorites for annual album releases—now approaching 100 original songs in its fourth year.