Currently touring to promote his recently released first solo album, Ariel Posen makes stop in Anaheim at Elements of Sound.
No stranger to travel, guitarist Ariel Posen, among other artists, will make an appearance at Elements of Sound presented by Open Chord in Anaheim, California, on January 15.
He is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, producer, and solo artist. Posen began playing piano at age seven or eight and guitar at just nine years old and music has been his life since. Now he plays around the globe.
Posen, born in Winnipeg, Canada, has spent most of his life traveling. Both of his parents, members of Finjan, were musicians so he went on the road with them from show to show as a child. His parents used to make their music at Stereobus Recording in Winnipeg. Eventually, Posen started making music there too – following in their footsteps.
Although he is promoting his solo career currently, Posen is known for his extraordinary guitar skills with The Bros. Landreth band. The Bros. Landreth, Joey and David Landreth, is a Canadian alternative country and folk duo. According to an interview with Musicradar, Posen has known the brothers for over 15 years. It was just natural for them to make music together when the chance arose. The band released their EP, Undercover Bros, in 2017; and now, two years later, Posen has released his first solo album: How Long.
Before Posen created his first solo album, he was spending time in Ireland and booked gigs for himself and played cover songs, according to an interview he did with Premier Guitar. While there, he met up with his friend, Murray Pulver, and the two began writing songs. After playing his own songs, under his own name at his gigs, Posen was offered a spot on tour with Josh Smith as a co-bill in the U.K. It was on that tour that Posen decided to do his own album. After he got back from touring, he met with Pulver again and they produced the album.
According to Premier Guitar, How Long was heavily influenced by artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, and the Beatles. The musical influences can be heard on each track on Posen’s album.
Even though Posen’s life seems to be music centric, it has not always been what he thought he would do. When he was in high school, he played small gigs and occasionally made some money doing so but they were mostly for fun. He played in a band with his friends. When he was not playing music though, he was playing basketball, according to his interview. Because of his love for basketball, Posen entered college thinking he would go for athletic therapy. However, once he got to college, Posen soon realized it was not what he wanted to do. He slowly dropped out of school and started to pursue his dream of being a professional musician – with the full support of his parents.
All of that has led Posen to where he is today. From his website, “The guitar is the tool to get the music out," he says. "Always serve the song first. Otherwise, you're just playing an instrument.”
Posen will be touring the U.K., Canada, and Sweden in the upcoming months. Tickets are still available for his U.S. show at Elements of Sound. Get them while you can!