Sharif

Singer/songwriter Sharif merges ethereal folk with experimental rock textures. Born in Norfolk, VA, he found himself drawn to the candid style of Evan Dando and the bold, irreverent edge of Liz Phair’s indie rock during his time at the University of Virginia in the late ’90s. There his gentle acoustic approach began to crystallize, echoing the fearless spirit of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Van Morrison. While still enrolled he tried out his material at showcases throughout D.C. and Virginia and spent summer 2000 performing in European coffeehouses. After completing an eight-month residency in Copenhagen, Denmark, he formed a partnership with Sam Jacobs of the Annex Group. The pair readied Sharif’s first recordings ahead of his graduation, and the resulting 2001 debut EP Kiss the Moon preserved his layered guitar lines alongside buoyant pop harmonies.