Exclusive interview and music review with Leonie Sherif

Leonie Sherif is a singer/songwriter and RnB/pop singer hailing from East London/Essex. Her passion for music began at an early age, with an interest in songwriting developing at only ten, then blossoming as she got older, inspired by the likes of Brandy, Toni Braxton, Whitney and Mariah Carey. Last year saw her release her first material, the These Walls E.P. to acclaim.

This song, Gangstar, begins with some pulsing, rapid-fire kicks and skittish hi-hats before launching into a funky RnB/hip hop track. Leonie’s voice, high in the mix, immediately captivates the listener with its strength and her large vocal range, which this track showcases well. Lyrically, it definitely has real edge, seemingly about an attraction to a dangerous man (i.e. a gangster). After a catchy verse, it leads to the memorable pre-chorus hook of “Can’t wait to get inside this fantasy….”.

Gangstar* from Leonie Sherif on Vimeo.

This leads to the main hook of the chorus that sticks instantly in the memory. The way Leonie has layered her vocals and counterpoint harmonies on the offbeat is very effective in adding to the overall catchiness. I also loved the various synth hooks that become more apparent towards the end of the track.

Overall, this is a superb track that is a far cut above the vast majority of RnB that I come across owing to the quality of the singing, the song itself and the killer production that makes it suitable not just for radio, both British and worldwide, but I can imagine it being popular in clubs also. Leonie Sherif is a globally huge star in the making if she can follow up with equally strong material.

 

By Alex Faulkner

I’m 34 and a freelance music journalist, as well as a composer and producer. I’ve written reviews for UK newspapers and music websites. I run my own blog, reviewing the best new bands and artists . I’m very passionate and knowledgeable about music and that shows in my writing.

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

I came into contact with exposed vocals via twitter, I was followed by you guys and asked if I would be interested in doing an interview and I thought it would be a great idea!

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in East London/Essex and I’ve always lived in/ around London. From a little girl I have grown up around music, my dad’s a musician and was in a band so it has always been in my blood.

I wouldn’t say there came a specific point where I decided to become an artist, I started writing songs around the age of 10, I’ve always been shy but had such a love for music that writing and singing was a Natural part of me, although I suppose I would do it more so in secret to start off with because I was so shy, when I got to my late teens I started recording demo idea’s and hooks here and there and realised that I really loved to write

I was a part of a couple of bands for a little while, which served as good starting points in helping to build the confidence/belief I needed to have in myself to go further but then eventually I reached a point of deciding that I wanted to share my creativity and put my songs out there;  it was about time I gave myself a ‘Kick up the butt’ so to speak and tried to do what I love, I suppose you could say that ‘that was the point at which I decided to become an artist’

My (artist name) is my actual name so that wasn’t too difficult lol

I think it’s great, as a new and unsigned artist it’s an integral way of sharing your music with the world in its initial stages and providing people with the tool to discover you and to hear you and potentially become a fan of your work.

 It invites listeners to listen and requires nothing more than your ear and your time, as a new and upcoming artist that is the most important thing to me, having people listen and hopefully embrace my music.

Once you provide people with the ability to download or stream your material for free i think it can determine and result in your fan base growing and becoming and as things progress to the next stage hopefully the loyalty and interest remains and people will be happy to buy your music and support your art and journey going forward

I’m still fairly new to the music industry In the respect of putting my own material out and gaining exposure for my music but I would say that it’s important to use your social media and networking

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram are all great tools to allow you to network with other like minded professionals and individuals.

Before I took music really seriously I did some modelling for a few years and also worked for an agency (behind the scenes) through which I obtained a good circle of professionals from (photographers to directors, producers, stylists, make up artists, media people) just a large repertoire of industry based professions, it’s just brilliant to have a good network of people you can get in touch with, so even though the music is of ‘primary’ importance I do feel that networking and meeting people in the right field is also of importance.

Jump at the opportunities presented to you wether they seem big or small you never know what could come from it and always do it for the love of it

My inspiration tends to almost always stem from personal experience, even if I don’t realise it, or the experiences of someone close to me

it generally starts from a melody that may happen to just be in my head which can come from anywhere, could be from an array of things I’ve been listening to, or a particular rift or some strings, it could be anything but somehow its something that gets stuck in my head, it could even be a rhythm or a beat that inspires the flow or the direction of melody but I listen to a lot of different stuff to gain inspiration. Ultimately I think it’s quite a natural thing for me, I don’t think too hard about the process it just seems to happen!

My website is in the process of being created but in the mean time you can find me on

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Maybe an old demo of mine I have which was my first ever demo and I cringe a little hearing it back as it was my first time in the studio and It’s funny listening to my approach back then I guess it makes me realise that I have come a long way

I think I would have to buy a beautiful new home I would then have  a fully kitted out home studio built and learn how to engineer and create my own masters 🙂  I would also like to design a clothing range, have a side business venture possibly some kind of fusion cuisine bar/restaurant , i’d donate a portion to a hospice/ charity, I’d go on holidays and have a good rest!

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

From twitter alone I’ve had my music played on two radio stations (weekly) so it just goes to show

It would probably be the O2 arena in London and it would be Michael Jackson (God rest his soul)

I’m working on a remixes EP which I like to describe as a diverse array of remixes (taken from the initial EP ‘these walls’) the project is set to take the original songs out of their comfort pocket and to allow them to exist and transcend in different dimensions and genres which one may not necessarily expect. (The project will embody a more underground /alternative and experimental feel compared to the initial EP) and I’m really excited about it