Album Notes

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 Ryan Adams. 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,” and the song "You're My Girl" appears in the hit TV show "South of Nowhere."