August 20 2015

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’

THESE WALLS ‘Promo video’ from Leonie sherif on Vimeo.

Gangstar* from Leonie Sherif on Vimeo.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

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

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

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

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

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

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

I’ve only ever performed ‘solo’ twice, I’ve performed about 7 times in a band or doing bv’s so I don’t have tonnes of performance experience at all, but as I’ve never really performed covers, (only ever my own stuff) no one would actually know that I’ve made the mistake but me unless I made it obvious so I just carry on and pay the mistake no mind, keep focused and carry on

I can actually recall making a mistake with the lyrics in an audition once and I just managed to carry on as if I had changed it on purpose. Mistakes will always happen, you simply have to carry on lol

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

No I haven’t toured yet but this year I am trying to get my live set up together and plan to be doing a lot more gigs, I’ve done one acoustic gig so far this year so keep tuned on my social media for more to come later in the year!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

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!

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

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

Instagram ‘Leonie sherif’
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/leonie-sherif/sets/these-walls-ep-1
twitter ‘@leoniesherif’ and
on my Facebook public page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leonie-Sherif/331431706895995

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

Hmm embarrassing… I don’t think I have any music I consider to be embarrassing on my iPod lol

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

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

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?

Most of my material is produced on logic And cubase I have a lot of creative input to the production and mixing side of things (particularly my vocal production) but I’m not at a stage where I can produce my own music, I’m watching and soon I hope to be learning and doing! 🙂

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

All my social medias are the means I use to promote myself from Instagram to facebook and twitter, I post all my promotional material, promo videos,samples of my music and promote any gigs or new releases through these mediums also and I upload everything to soundcloud and mix loud which is also great as well as Vimeo and YouTube

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

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

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

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

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

I’m also working on a new EP which will be a progression in my sound from the first project with the aim to ascertain my identity and relay the direction of my sound more

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Wow umm… I do feel that music would always be a part of my life as I said it really is in my blood, I always thought I would just write music if didn’t gain the confidence to become an artist (so to speak) so maybe I would be writing, that is still creating music though so I guess If I weren’t making music I would maybe be a music journalist or maybe I would be working in fashion as that is one of my other loves

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

It was the Janet album back in 1993 it was brought for me because I wanted it so badly

I remember thinking I want to be her!

I loved it and played it on repeat all day everyday lol ‘if’ was my favourite track

My poor parents!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

It’s really tough, I struggle with not having (what I feel is) enough time to get everything that I need and want to done, but I’m learning that I can only do what I can in the time that I have and to take things in my stride as much as I can and enjoy the experience even though I wish I had all my time to dedicate to music.

I work in finance as an accounting Technician and work is quite intense and full on so its evenings and weekends which I dedicate to the music, writing, recording, gigs, admin etc…

it is hard work juggling the two but it’s 100% worth it!

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Fans can look forward to My ‘remixes’ project which will be a diverse project of remixes of the songs from my first solo project the ‘these walls’ EP which should be out this spring, hopefully April time

As well as brand new music, my new EP (which is in progress) for release later this year

Also expect more live performances, and visuals (promotional videos and footage from me) 🙂