'5 Questions With': Zarif
“I was free to do what I want on this record, so it’s quite experimental…but also explores my experiences over the last few years.”
Riffs, melodies, and freedom, are the three words alt-pop songstress Zarif would use to describe her sound (we’d also add ‘fierce’, just for the record). Bravely chronicling her fight to overcome breast cancer (which she’s done twice), her new single and visuals, ‘Nothing But A Memory’, is a lay-it-all-on-the-table type of track that bare’s Zarif’s soul in its 3mins & 50 seconds of high octane, inspirational goodness. There’s alot to take away from the visuals (which the star confesses came before the song did), but what stood out for us was its boldness - the defiant video sees one moment in which Zarif shaves her own head in a bid to take control of a poignant and pivotal moment for many patients undergoing chemotherapy. She’s badass, she’s rock and she’s definitely one to watch for the rest of 2021 - you heard it here first!
Read the feature below to find out more…
Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hi Zarif, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into music? Would you say you grew up in a musical household?
Z: It wasn’t really a musical upbringing and most of the music I knew was just from TV or the radio. But my mum, who’s Persian, was always singing Persian music around the house so singing was always a thing. I’ve always loved music and was always singing and performing at school and have been writing lyrics and songs for as long as I can remember. But I never thought that was something people “do” in real life, so I got into it quite late I suppose, and eventually started jamming with some bands and just got the bug, started writing more seriously and it went from there.
EQ: If you could describe your sound in three words which would they be and why?
Z: It’s always so hard to describe your own music, but I would say riffs, melodies, and freedom. Riffs because most of the songs start with a guitar or a bass riff, melodies because I will always love big vocal melodies and layers of harmony that you can sing along to. And freedom because I was free to do what I want on this record, so it’s quite experimental and a lot heavier and rockier than my previous music, but also free lyrically and explores my experiences over the last few years.
“I love writing songs because you can express yourself, especially things you may not be able to say in real life, so it can be really cathartic. But it can be a very exposing process…”
- ZARIF
EQ: The visuals for ‘Nothing But A Memory’ are nothing if not striking, honest, and poignant. You’re a true warrior on and off the track. Is it ever tough for you to bare it all in your music? Do you ever write something and keep it just for yourself?
Z: All the time haha! I love writing songs because you can express yourself, especially things you may not be able to say in real life, so it can be really cathartic. But it can be a very exposing process and it’s always hard to be completely honest. But you have to be, as I think people can tell when it’s honest and real. Making the ‘Nothing But A Memory’ video felt really good to capture that moment and let people in.
EQ: The high octane, pop-rock sound you create will be our battle cry for the rest of the year whilst we’re locked in. What songs at the moment are getting you pumped up and through the day?
Z: Thank you, I love that the songs will be a battle cry, that’s so cool! I’m really loving the new Dream Wife album; the whole thing is great but if I really want to get pumped up, I’ll listen to the song So When You Gonna. I’m enjoying Home Thru Hell from the new Flaming Lips and Deap Vally collaboration. Also, my trusty favorite Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks will always get me going or some Prince to really sing at the top of my lungs.
EQ: …and finally what else can we expect from you in 2021? Is there anything you’re looking forward to doing once the world returns to some kind of normalcy again?
Z: I can’t wait to do some gigs! I’d love to play the songs from the EP live, there’s nothing better than performing on stage in a room full of real humans. Also, I’ll definitely be writing some new music. I’ve been writing new songs at home and I also can’t wait to collaborate with some musicians when we’re allowed.
YouTube/ZARIF
Stream ‘Nothing But A Memory’ HERE
Keep up with ZARIF on socials
Instagram: @zarifthemusic
Twitter: @zarifthemusic
Facebook: Zarif The Music