Three years ago Ari Hest got out of a record label deal and launched his 52 project — a year long effort to write a song a week. This gave him complete control over his career and resulted in a wealth of material and some well-received albums. His latest release, Sunset over Hope Street, (2011) has received rave reviews.
¶ Marblehead native singer/songwriter Kat Quinn went to New York a year ago, intent on making a life as a performing songwriter. Shortly thereafter, her shows began winning praise for her warm, sensitive vocals, easy-going charisma, and sharp, straight-from-the-heart songwriting, with lyrics marked by a winning combination of poetry and plainspoken language.
