Spread the Social Love:
Some might say that Zarif is the new and improved Amy Winehouse, but there's a lot more too her than just that. Not many people can say they've performed at Glastonbury, shared the stage with Beyonce and Chris Brown and also gained a degree at UCL. I can guarantee that there will be a flock of Zarif clones emerging across the nation within the year due to her unique style, contagious energy and infectious musical essence that is near impossible to dislike. Her influences, such as the song writing of Stevie Wonder, quirky-ness of Cyndi Lauper and early Madonna definitely translates in her music, which can only be described as rare electric soul.
Zarif took a spare five minutes to have a good old chat here with us at AltSounds about music, lipstick and her musical experiences. Why not listen to her new single "Box of Secrets" by following the link further down whilst reading what she has to say for herself?
AltSounds: Tell us a little bit about Zarif and what makes you, you.
Zarif: I make a mean cup of coffee, there are always biscuits in my cupboard, and I constantly have too many clothes all over my floor
AltSounds: I hear you play with a nine piece band? That must be an experience. How do you find performing with so many musicians behind you?
Zarif: I love it! It's great cos we've all been playing together for years, they're all my friends so it's really good fun. Sometimes I change the line up round, like recently we've been trying it as a 5 piece, it's nice to know I can swap and change.
AltSounds: Your music has quite a broad range, from soul to punk to pop. How can you adapt so easily to so many different musical genres?
Zarif: I have always had very eclectic tastes and love everything from Led Zeppelin to Mariah Carey, so it just always happens that all my influences filter into the music. I love mixing it up.
AltSounds: Is it true that the first song you wrote was for a Blue Peter competition?
Zarif: Ha ha, yes! Well, the first song I remember writing out in my best handwriting anyway! I've been tinkling around on the piano, making up rhymes for as long as I can remember
AltSounds: Did you win?
Zarif: No! I don't even know if my mum ever even posted it.
AltSounds: You have a degree under your belt. How difficult was it to study in UCL as well as pursuing your music career?
Zarif: It was actually a really good combination - I did music most of the time and there were only a couple of times a year where you had to really study, so there was actually a lot of time to write songs and join bands and meet other musicians
AltSounds: You’ve shared arena stages with massive contemporary names such as Chris Brown and Beyonce. How was this for you?
Zarif: Both those tours were amazing, particularly Beyonce. They were the biggest crowds I'd ever played to and on the biggest stages, so it was an amazing experience. Watching Beyonce's show after doing mine was like watching a masterclass every night!
AltSounds: Do you ever find yourself getting a little star struck?
Zarif: I'm usually OK, but with Beyonce, yes definitely! The funniest was at Wireless festival this year when I met Peaches (who is a total hero of mine) and probably acted like a total groupie cos I was so starstuck! Babbling about how great I think she is [laughs]!
AltSounds: Not only have you supported these huge acts, you have also made appearances at some of the UK’s biggest festivals such as Glastonbury. Which one was your favourite?
Zarif: It's got to be Glastonbury, as it's my favourite festival and I've been so many times since I was a teenager that to then actually play there was a total dream come true. It's always the best atmosphere. I also loved Secret Garden Party as it's like walking around a fairytale.
AltSounds: How important do you think festivals are for promoting the up and coming bands here in the UK where we harbour a wealth of talent?
Zarif: So important as I don't think there are that many platforms where you can discover new bands, unless you've specifically planned to go and watch a gig. But at a festival you can just wander around and see what you find and sometimes the best bands I've seen have been ones I would never have known about unless I'd wandered into a random tent while they were playing.
AltSounds: Have you got any advice to artists such as yourself?
Zarif: Work hard and don't give up!
AltSounds: You have such a distinctive fashion sense. Do you think the fashion industry and music go hand in hand?
Zarif: Totally. All my biggest style inspirations were musicians, like Blondie and Cyndi Lauper. I think music has always, and will always influence fashion, and vice versa.
AltSounds: Would you say that pink lipstick is your signature feature?
Zarif: Actually you're not the first person to have said that, so maybe that means it is! Pink is my favourite colour, and I do always end up reaching for the pink lipstick when all else fails!
AltSounds: You’re playing in Notting Hill on the 19th of August. How does playing in a more intimate venue compare to massive arena stages?
Zarif: I love it, because you're right there with the crowd. You can see instantly what songs people are getting into as you're at the mercy of the audience reactions. The biggest surprise for me with a large venue is that you can't actually see the crowd, which was very surreal to start with. I do like having a bigger stage to run around on I must say!
AltSounds: Which one do you prefer?
Zarif: I really like both. I would miss small venues if I didn't do them but I could definitely get used to the bigger stages!
AltSounds: What can we expect from Zarif for the rest of 2010 and 2011?
Zarif: The album's coming out on August 30th and then hopefully a tour to promote it. I'm so excited to see everyone's reaction, and just get the music out there! And then, of course, world domination...
Zarif took a spare five minutes to have a good old chat here with us at AltSounds about music, lipstick and her musical experiences. Why not listen to her new single "Box of Secrets" by following the link further down whilst reading what she has to say for herself?
AltSounds: Tell us a little bit about Zarif and what makes you, you.
Zarif: I make a mean cup of coffee, there are always biscuits in my cupboard, and I constantly have too many clothes all over my floor
AltSounds: I hear you play with a nine piece band? That must be an experience. How do you find performing with so many musicians behind you?
Zarif: I love it! It's great cos we've all been playing together for years, they're all my friends so it's really good fun. Sometimes I change the line up round, like recently we've been trying it as a 5 piece, it's nice to know I can swap and change.
AltSounds: Your music has quite a broad range, from soul to punk to pop. How can you adapt so easily to so many different musical genres?
Zarif: I have always had very eclectic tastes and love everything from Led Zeppelin to Mariah Carey, so it just always happens that all my influences filter into the music. I love mixing it up.
AltSounds: Is it true that the first song you wrote was for a Blue Peter competition?
Zarif: Ha ha, yes! Well, the first song I remember writing out in my best handwriting anyway! I've been tinkling around on the piano, making up rhymes for as long as I can remember
AltSounds: Did you win?
Zarif: No! I don't even know if my mum ever even posted it.
AltSounds: You have a degree under your belt. How difficult was it to study in UCL as well as pursuing your music career?
Zarif: It was actually a really good combination - I did music most of the time and there were only a couple of times a year where you had to really study, so there was actually a lot of time to write songs and join bands and meet other musicians
AltSounds: You’ve shared arena stages with massive contemporary names such as Chris Brown and Beyonce. How was this for you?
Zarif: Both those tours were amazing, particularly Beyonce. They were the biggest crowds I'd ever played to and on the biggest stages, so it was an amazing experience. Watching Beyonce's show after doing mine was like watching a masterclass every night!
AltSounds: Do you ever find yourself getting a little star struck?
Zarif: I'm usually OK, but with Beyonce, yes definitely! The funniest was at Wireless festival this year when I met Peaches (who is a total hero of mine) and probably acted like a total groupie cos I was so starstuck! Babbling about how great I think she is [laughs]!
AltSounds: Not only have you supported these huge acts, you have also made appearances at some of the UK’s biggest festivals such as Glastonbury. Which one was your favourite?
Zarif: It's got to be Glastonbury, as it's my favourite festival and I've been so many times since I was a teenager that to then actually play there was a total dream come true. It's always the best atmosphere. I also loved Secret Garden Party as it's like walking around a fairytale.
AltSounds: How important do you think festivals are for promoting the up and coming bands here in the UK where we harbour a wealth of talent?
Zarif: So important as I don't think there are that many platforms where you can discover new bands, unless you've specifically planned to go and watch a gig. But at a festival you can just wander around and see what you find and sometimes the best bands I've seen have been ones I would never have known about unless I'd wandered into a random tent while they were playing.
AltSounds: Have you got any advice to artists such as yourself?
Zarif: Work hard and don't give up!
AltSounds: You have such a distinctive fashion sense. Do you think the fashion industry and music go hand in hand?
Zarif: Totally. All my biggest style inspirations were musicians, like Blondie and Cyndi Lauper. I think music has always, and will always influence fashion, and vice versa.
AltSounds: Would you say that pink lipstick is your signature feature?
Zarif: Actually you're not the first person to have said that, so maybe that means it is! Pink is my favourite colour, and I do always end up reaching for the pink lipstick when all else fails!
AltSounds: You’re playing in Notting Hill on the 19th of August. How does playing in a more intimate venue compare to massive arena stages?
Zarif: I love it, because you're right there with the crowd. You can see instantly what songs people are getting into as you're at the mercy of the audience reactions. The biggest surprise for me with a large venue is that you can't actually see the crowd, which was very surreal to start with. I do like having a bigger stage to run around on I must say!
AltSounds: Which one do you prefer?
Zarif: I really like both. I would miss small venues if I didn't do them but I could definitely get used to the bigger stages!
AltSounds: What can we expect from Zarif for the rest of 2010 and 2011?
Zarif: The album's coming out on August 30th and then hopefully a tour to promote it. I'm so excited to see everyone's reaction, and just get the music out there! And then, of course, world domination...
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