Q&A: Ari and the Alibis singer on her band's new direction

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Ari McManus, lead singer of Ari and the Alibis (courtesy photo).

Ari McManus is the lead singer of Ari and the Alibis (courtesy photo).

One of the most recognizable singers in Sarasota, Arielleh “Ari” McManus can be seen on local stages most weekends fronting Ari and the Alibis. She can also occasionally be seen around town with her other band, The Lotus Fire. Both groups feature her fiancé, Nicolaas Kraster, on lead guitar. The Albis lineup is rounded out by James Dabone (trombone), Dave Stark (drums) and David Whittaker (bass).

It has been less than a year since Ari and the Alibis released their debut EP “In the Madness.” But the band, which deftly mixes roots music styles from the Deep South to Europe, is already evolving. The 28-year-old McManus discusses the group’s new direction, cover songs and what she thinks about the local music scene. You can see her with the Albis on Friday at The Blue Rooster in downtown Sarasota and Saturday at The Bearded Clam on North Tamiami Trail.

Q: Listening to the EP, I feel I’m being transported back to New Orleans, one of the cool, funky clubs on Frenchmen Street. Have you or any your band members spent time there?

A: No, but I get that a lot. A lot of our songs are changing. We’ve switched from more of a bouncy New Orleans feel to going all over the place. Nic plays electric flamenco guitar, there’s no such thing like it, so it’s kind of a blues and jazz combination with funk and soul, more soul than funk. It’s a tricky subject. At our shows I make a point not to feed the audience the same meal three times in a row. You have to change it up.

Q: So you’re already working on new material?

A: Yeah, we’re going up to New York in May to a recording studio and taking all the material we have and handing it over to a producer and asking, “What do you hear?”

Q: What covers are you performing these days with the Alibis?

A: My favorite is “I Will Survive,” the Gloria Gaynor song, that’s my jam. I also like doing “Long Train Runnin’” by The Doobie Brothers and “Please Don't Turn Me Away” by Roy Buchanan. I cry on stage when I do that song, because I’ve lived through it.

Q: Did you get to see The Doobie Brothers when they played Lakewood Ranch’s Winterfest about a month ago?

A: No, I never get to see anyone.

Q: Forced to choose one album to take with you on a road trip, what would it be?

A: “Jesus Christ Superstar,” original cast soundtrack.

Q: Best thing about the Sarasota music scene?

A: The best thing is the musicians. They are working and striving and putting all their effort into breaking into anywhere they can get. I have tremendous respect for anyone with the balls to get on stage and get judged.

Q: What are Ari and the Albis’ goals and plans for the rest of 2015?

A: I can only speak for myself, there are five of us and we vote on everything, but for me, I really want to start tapping into “we play this,” to get closer to what are identity is so we can brand it easier and market it while pursuing a grander, larger sound. Then we can take our show on the road and actually make the money that we really deserve.

Ari and the Alibis
8:30 p.m. Friday; The Blue Rooster, 1525 4th St., Sarasota; $5; 388-7539; blueroostersrq.com

Ari and the Alibis
8:30 p.m. Friday; The Blue Rooster, 1525 4th St., Sarasota; $5; 388-7539; blueroostersrq.com

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WADE TATANGELOis a content producer who has been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 as entertainment reporter and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955.
Last modified: April 9, 2015
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