Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Hartley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ariel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began playing guitar after my friend showed me how to play guitar chords one night when I was in my second year in college. I had been writing poems my whole life and when I discovered how to play an instrument I started writing songs. I became obsessed with writing music and started trying to not only get better at guitar but learn as many other instruments as I could. I joined my first band to play in as a keyboardist about three years later and then started my other band Pearl Earl with my songs shortly after. Pearl Earl has done three large national tours and a lot of touring in between. We’ve been nominated for several Dallas Observer Music Awards and won many Denton Arts and Music Awards. We’ve been featured on Daytrotter and have played a lot of awesome festivals including SXSW, Oaktopia, 35 Denton, Levitation, and Fortress Fest. I am also releasing an EP under a different moniker sometime next year.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has had its smooth moments and not so smooth moments. My band and I have worked extremely hard and have had much appreciated support along the way but we’ve also encountered moments where I’ve felt a little exhausted from over playing and not getting to sit down and be alone to create more music. We also lost a member a week before we recorded our first album and I had to figure out the new parts that would take the old parts place. It actually turned out to be a blessing and I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Pearl Earl story. Tell us more about the business.
I write songs and play many instruments including guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and have been a producer. I am most proud of having a band that has allowed me to travel, make some income, and create music together. My band consists of four females and I take pride in having a group of strong talented young women who are awesome and creative beyond just being great musicians.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
We as a group have said yes to a lot of people who wanted to help us with say booking, recording, or business endeavors and that has really allowed us to get to where we are. Making friends with people in the music industry and the arts scene has led us to more and more opportunities. My advice is just to get yourself out there and surround yourself with people who are doing the same thing as you and making friends who can connect you to more friends and help lead you in more directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: pearlearl.com
- Email: pearlearlmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: pearlearlmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlEarlMusic/
Image Credit:
Ellie Alonzo, Jonothan Bernstein, Clayton Browning, Jasmine Blake
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