Ari Hest rocks the South Side

By BRIAN PALMER

An intimate setting, a few drinks and great music — have it all Monday night when yet… An intimate setting, a few drinks and great music — have it all Monday night when yet another young singer/songwriter makes a stop in Pittsburgh.

A 26-year-old native of New York, Ari Hest will be co-heading a show at Nick’s Fat City with Richmond, Va., based jam band Carbon Leaf, who will be taking the stage first.

Hest will be performing with a full band, but his roots are as a solo artist, playing to crowds with his voice and an acoustic guitar. His lyrics are beautifully constructed and sung with a sometimes-raspy croon, but he can utilize a falsetto that is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley or Martin Sexton.

Hest is currently also on tour with hometown favorites The Clarks, on the Rubber Hits the Road Tour, which plays dates that straddle this Pittsburgh performance.

The guys in Carbon Leaf, who were recently selected as “Best in Richmond,” play a very energetic set, filled with every sound you can imagine. Playing any style from straight rock ‘n’ roll to a more jam band style, mixing in a folk twang at times.

With stage presence from both of these acts that move any audience to their feet, this show is set to be an interesting mix of energy and smooth style that will definitely be worth the price of admission.

Ari Hest and Carbon Leaf will be performing an all-ages show Monday night at Nick’s Fat City on the South Side. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call Nick’s at (412) 481-6880.