For Ariel Posen, songwriting and guitar playing have always gone hand-in-hand. He’s spent a decade building a bridge between those two worlds, balancing his work as a hotshot instrumentalist — including collaborations with everyone from John Mayer to Tom Jones — with solo albums rooted in melody and autobiographical storytelling. The result is a career that’s every bit as diverse as his music. With performances at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, his own Fender Stratocaster signature model, and a powerful voice that matches his fretwork, Posen explores uncharted territory, blurring the lines between genre and generation along the way.
Raised by musical parents in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Posen launched his solo career in 2019. Multiple solo records followed, showcasing an ever-evolving mix of rock & roll, R&B, Americana, and electrified roots music. Some albums were filled with tightly-constructed, vocally-driven songs. Others were collections of improvised guitar instrumentals. Together, they highlight a musician who continues to push ahead, chasing down new sounds while still honouring his roots.
Name:
Ariel Posen
Genre:
Rock
# of Albums:
7
Latest Album:
Bannatyne
Latest Single:
Future Present Tense
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
The Beatles
Favourite musician now:
The Beatles
Live show ritual:
None really, just to hang with the band backstage and make sure we’re all ready and laughing and in good spirits
EP or LP?
LP
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird these days.
Road or studio?
Both! Two completely different things.
Any shows or albums coming up?
Yes, we are touring the US and EU/UK in the coming months!
Where can we follow you?
@arielposen on all platforms!
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Sushi Ya.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
The right answer would be Bannatyne, because I named my album after it, but I’d actually have to say where River becomes Wellington Crescent up until Academy. I used to live nearby and would run every day, and it was my favourite stretch.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Assiniboine Park. It’s just massive and beautiful to be in. Lots of different routes to walk around as well.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The Burt and the Park Theatre.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Whenever I need something, I go to see my friends at the Pembina Long and McQuade. There used to be more local shops but these days they are all gone, sadly.
