Arielle Vakni
Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013
Music
Press
Santa Cruz singer-songwriter Arielle Vakni wrapped January 2014 by partnering with her alma mater, Berklee College of Music, to release a video for her single, "Backwards." The live music video has garnered 3,000 views in the week since its release— modest numbers by most industry standards, but considering the traffic is credited to charmed whispers and Facebook shares, it is clear that there is an audience for Vakni, and the audience wants an encore.
It helps, too, that the single is pretty stellar. Performed at Boston's Café 939—an intimate venue with a cushy, living-room aesthetic—"Backwards" opens with syncopated electronic percussion and a viola's melody. Vakni, with a Lorde-like mane of blonde curls falling over a strapless burgundy dress, sings, "Sliding backwards never felt so right." Her voice is untethered, soulful, and she jumps from chest to heady falsetto with fluid grace. Her vocal dexterity pays homage to the Joni Mitchells and James Taylors before her.
Self-identifying as an "experimental" folk singer, Vakni and her seven-member band weave electronic orchestrations through tight acoustic melodies. One may recognize Vakni as one half of the indie electronic-folk duo, Skycranes, whose debut dropped in early 2013. Now pursuing a solo career, her 10-song debut album is set for release this April.
Tonight, Vakni is performing at Manhattan's Pianos. We spoke with her the morning before her New York engagement about musical influences, working with acclaimed musician Patty Larkin, and getting her feet off the ground as a promising up-and-comer. - Interview Magazine
Amid Berklee’s profusion of talented singer-songwriters, be sure to listen to the uniquely soulful folk-style songs of Arielle Vakni. This Santa Cruz musician is not afraid to play around with form to express her ideas, and her refreshing sounds are worth checking out. At her All Asia show in late December, which also featured singer/songwriters Georgia English and Bane & Doe, Arielle presented her solo works with a backing band for the first time. It was filled with a capella, contrasts, and spontaneous breaks. Her compelling voice was complemented with lyrical strings and driving rhythms from Berklee students Alex Cohen (bass), Remy Felsch (drums) and Vicente Espi (violin). Highlights included “He Isn’t You,” “Dear Beloved,” and “Save Your Best.” - The Berklee Groove
Discography
Facets & Resonance - May 1st, 2014
Photos
Bio
Santa Cruz singer-songwriter Arielle Vakni has given a new life to indie music. To her, indie does not describe a genre or an unsigned artist, but a musical liberation. Indie is independence-music where anything is possible.
Arielle is a uniquely soulful vocalist with a subtle twist of experimental folk. Her seemingly effortless depth of lyrical expression is matched by a gift for songwriting and performance in both acoustic and electronic genres. In 2009, Arielle received a Fullerton Heritage Festival Award for the vocal jazz division, which spurred her on to study voice and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
In the Spring of 2013, Arielle studied under the singer-songwriter and guitar legend Patty Larkin, who produced one of her songs, Save Your Best. In 2011, Arielle formed the electronic duo Skycranes. Their most recent release is Tryptich, produced by Patrick O'Brien, a voltaic, genre-defying album thats gaining appreciation on the independent electronic scene.
Soon to graduate from Berklee, Arielle is already recognized as a compelling stage performer who is set to win wider acclaim. Arielles debut solo album is to be released in the Spring of 2014.
Band Members
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