David Arn Assembles All-Star Cast For Upcoming Album ‘Ventriloquism’

Life has a funny way of opening unexpected doors. For Maryland-based singer-songwriter David Arn, losing his voice during the creation of his fifth album in 2024 could have spelled disaster. Instead, it sparked an intriguing artistic pivot that led to “Ventriloquism,” a uniquely collaborative album where other artists step in to give voice to his words.

The project’s first single, “What a Heart Must Do,” dropped on February 4th, 2025, offering listeners their first glimpse into this reimagined approach. The track brings together the remarkable vocal talents of Kerri Hardwick with Arcangelo Trabucco’s delicate piano work and Maria Grig’s masterful string arrangements. It’s a bit of a departure for Arn, blending what he calls “classical folk rock” with surprising elements – he’s woven in fragments of the hymn tune “St. Columba” and passages inspired by Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” suite. The result is a deeply moving exploration of the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The accompanying music video for the single captures this sentiment beautifully, with sunset visuals that complement the song’s emotional depth and intimate theme.

Speaking about the album’s authentic approach, Arn puts it simply: “There are no artificial sweeteners or synthetic additives, only seasoned musicians and singers.” And he’s not kidding – the project features an impressive roster of performers whose credits include appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and prestigious venues throughout England, Italy, and Russia.

The choice of Hardwick for the debut single seems particularly fitting. A lifelong vocalist who first started performing professionally as a child, she’s built an impressive career that spans performance, voice teaching, and academia. When recording the track, Arn gave her just one piece of direction – to sing as though she were performing for her young daughter. The resulting performance captures something genuinely special.

For Arn, whose musical roots trace back to childhood piano lessons inspired by his grandfather (an orchestra pianist), this album represents yet another evolution in a fascinating career. His previous works – including albums like “Postmodern Days,” “Walking to Dreamland,” “Traveler Tales,” and “Watershed” – have gradually built him a dedicated following. His music has found its way onto NPR stations, BBC Radio, and even Delta Airlines flights, while his music videos have picked up awards at film festivals from London to Los Angeles.

Drawing inspiration from legendary songwriters like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Arn has developed a distinctive lyrical style that isn’t afraid to wade into deeper waters. His songs often grapple with themes of psychological loss, unrequited love, and the shadows of past trauma. This literary bent isn’t surprising given his background – he holds an English Literature degree from Fairfield University and even published short fiction while in the University of Virginia’s MFA program under the guidance of Pulitzer Prize-winner Peter Taylor.

Rather than rush to market, “Ventriloquism” is being released with careful consideration, with new songs and accompanying videos planned roughly every six weeks. While Arn’s current vocal condition means live performances aren’t in the cards right now, this collaborative approach has opened up some fascinating new artistic possibilities for the veteran songwriter.

The complete album, available soon on Spotify and other major platforms, promises to showcase not only Arn’s continued growth as a songwriter but also the interpretive talents of an diverse array of vocalists who bring their own unique perspectives to his carefully crafted lyrics. Fans can keep up with the latest releases and behind-the-scenes content on Arn’s YouTube and Facebook.