| Biography: Sharif has been performing for less than five years, but he has already established a prominent place within the music world. Not only has the ambitious singer/songwriter been marked as a hot new musical talent, but has also made an impressive showing in both his modeling and acting endeavors. Sharif's popularity as an artist is rooted in his innovative sound, distinctive airy voice, and electrifying stage presence. His music is smart poetry, an appealingly inventive blend of edgy emo sounds with likable pop rhythms. His voice is frequently likened to that of the late Elliott Smith, and his songs, while fresh and original, contain musical threads of bands like The Lemonheads, Bright Eyes, The Beatles, and Wilco. With high onstage energy and extraordinary sex appeal, Sharif is one of today's most engaging performers. As one reviewer wrote, "He is a talented, musically gifted, ingenious songwriter with a distinct charm, wit, and sex appeal to rival any performer in pop music today."Sharif began his career performing at venues in Charlottesville, VA, where he also earned a BA in Marketing from the esteemed Commerce School at the University of Virginia. After gaining a large following within the University community, Sharif embarked on his first album, "Kiss the Moon," an inventive compilation of original songs. He was invited to produce his album with an impressive cast of musicians and producers who had previously worked with artists such as The White Stripes, Sonic Youth, Dave Matthews Band and Jason Mraz. Sharif celebrated his first CD Release Party at Starr Hill Music Hall, owned and run by world-renowned manager Coran Capshaw. The debut album drew laudatory reviews and large crowds to Sharif's shows. Not only was "Kiss the Moon" a successful musical effort, but also a personal triumph. Sharif said, "'Kiss the Moon' was an actualization of everything I was musically and spiritually at that point in my life. It was very real and pure."Sharif began to tour internationally, playing large venues in Europe, California, New York, Virginia and Washington, DC. He was invited to play at the Friday's After 5 Concert Series in Charlottesville, VA, a hot spot which regularly hosts nationally recognized bands. During the tour, "Kiss the Moon" became widely acclaimed, and was soon receiving substantial airplay on major radio stations. Sharif was invited to play live performances on the radio, and even landed several television spots performing his hits, among them "Lauren" and "You're my Girl."After touring behind his highly acclaimed first record, Sharif immediately began work on his follow-up. While recording, Sharif invited members of Whiskeytown, David Gray, and Jason Mraz to stop by the studio and contribute to his new record. After months of recording, mixing, and remixing, ?Surrogate Lovers? was finally ready for distribution. Sharif once again celebrated the release of his new record at the prestigious Starr Hill Music Hall in April 2004. ?Surrogate Lovers? has since enjoyed rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Two of the fourteen new tracks on this record have already been selected to appear on the popular rock compilations ?Station Break? and ?DecentXposure.?Meanwhile, this multi-talented artist has been building a strong modeling and acting career. Sharif has modeled for industry leaders such as Levi's, FILA, and Neiman Marcus, and has acted in several major television shows and movies, produced by HBO, NBC, Touchstone and New Line Cinema. Most recently, Sharif participated in the FOX Reality Show "Playing it Straight." |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFor more information, contact:Sharif Music LLC Media Relations Department PO Box 3535Arlington, VA 22203757.620.4333www.SharifMusic.com Info@SharifMusic.com RISING STAR SHARIF SHINES WITH "SURROGATE LOVERS"August 2, 2004 (Washington DC) ? Local musician and reality television star Sharif explodes onto the national scene with the debut of his third album Surrogate Lovers. Members of Whiskeytown, David Gray, and Jason Mraz all help Sharif out on his new record. Surrogate Lovers contains 13 new and musically diverse tracks, including "Simple Ways," featured on the FOX unscripted series "Playing it Straight."Surrogate Lovers is an unlikely blend of influences from several genres, reflecting a wide array of inspiration. "You?re my Girl" and "Simple Ways" are mainstream pop-rock yet alternative, reminiscent of popular Lemonheads songs, while "Time Rolls Back" and "Respect" emit modern jazz-inspired melodies. With songs like "60 Seconds" and the title track, Sharif branches out into the alt-country world demonstrating inspiration from bands such as Old 97?s and Whiskeytown. Mike Daly, Whiskeytown?s guitarist, plays lap steel on "60 Seconds" and other tracks, helping Sharif accomplish his goals of musical diversity. Heidi Drockelman of Indie-Music.com raves that "The entire record, which is all hits and no misses, display(s) the versatility and talent of a songwriter who has an easy way with words and an even easier way of expressing them through his vocals and guitar work."Sharif (who goes by his first name only) frequently plays at clubs up and down the East Coast. "Surrogate Lovers" can be found at Amazon.com, CDBaby, AwareStore, Plan 9, and other fine record stores. For more information on Sharif?s tour dates and Surrogate Lovers visit www.sharifmusic.com. For further information, contact Samia McCall at 214-522-0141.### |
