ASHRAF

Artist Information

Biography

Winner of the 2006 Toronto Independent Music Award for "Best Rhythm & Blues Artist".

“More than 250 college radio stations in Canada and across the East coast can’t get enough of this guy!” -- Matt Fresnic, Acoustic Rainbow.

LifeStone Music proudly presents A S H R A F: Canada’s newest POP-ROCK sensation. Drawing from the styles of acts like: Maroon 5 ~ Lenny Kravitz ~ Rob Thomas ~ Prince His songs blend influences from the EAST and the WEST to create a unique connection with today's GLOBAL AUDIENCE.

“The kids are calling it World-Rock.” -- Jayne Winters, The Richmond Times.

A S H R A F's debut album "PERFECT CHAOS" was recorded and mastered at METALWORKS STUDIOS, home to international recording artists, PRINCE, N’SYNC, CHRISTINA AGUILERA and SUM 41.

A S H R A F's MUSIC VIDEO for the single "Shatter" has been featured on "SWEPT AWAY TV" a teen music television show syndicated across 64 US markets.
[ www.sweptawaytv.com ]

And has been featured online at:
- MSN Music
- Yahoo's Launch.com
- ManiaTV.com
- JustEnoughTV.com
- MusicplusTV.com
- Artistnow.com
- FuseTV.com

The single "Shatter" will be featured on the 8th volume of the Songsalive! CD Sampler promoted worldwide this fall.
[www.songsalive.com]

An acoustic version of “Shatter” is on the prestigious ACOUSTIC RAINBOW Sampler CD, sent to over 1200 DJs worldwide in the fall of 2005.
[www.acousticrainbow.com]

A S H R A F's songs have already been placed in several prominent network television shows including the home reality series: "HOMETEAM" [www.hometeam.com] scheduled to air on NBC, Fox, WB and cable TV across North America this Fall.

Currently performing regularly in and around Toronto, Ontario, ASHRAF and his band of talented performers pour over 100 years of live performance experience into each and every show.

The band has recently teamed up with professional dancers: Heather Ann Leslie & Adriana Maican, to join the act and perform at music venues all around Southern Ontario. ASHRAF's live act is set to draw the interest of new fans as well as key industry players looking for a fresh new entertainment offering.

WEBSITES DEDICATED TO A S H R A F's MUSIC:
- www.myspace.com/lifestonemusic
- www.garageband.com/artist/ASHRAF
- www.cdbaby.com/ASHRAF

Instrumentation

Lead Vocals - ASHRAF -
Lead Guitar - YOZA -
Rhythm Guitar - RICK IVANOFF -
Bass - DAVE BULAND -
Drums - ALEX MINE -
Keys - MICHELLE KYLE -

*See "Basic Requirements" tab for Band Member Profiles

Discography

"SHATTER" The Single CD
- Scheduled for release Summer 2005

"PERFECT CHAOS" The Full-Length Debut Album
- Scheduled for release Fall 2006

"PERFECT CHAOS" The Instrumental Album
- Scheduled for release Fall 2006

Audio

Lyrics

• "SHATTER"
• "KISS"
• "WHISPERS"
• ISABELLA"
• "ELVIS"
• "VISION OF HEAVEN"

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Scarborough Mirror - September 1st, 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  "An exciting collection of well crafted pop rock songs arranged and performed with skill. The stell..."An exciting collection of well crafted pop rock songs arranged and performed with skill. The stellar production quality of the album facilitates the clarity with which each of the brilliantly performed instruments is heard. A truly engaging and original sound."

• The North York Gazette - August 27, 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  “Ashraf's songs are worth the agony of a crowded, smoke-filled room. Although there are definite st...“Ashraf's songs are worth the agony of a crowded, smoke-filled room. Although there are definite stylistic influences in his music, the songs are not quite like anyone else's. He manages to create a great deal of excitement without a lot of effort. The arrangements are also deeply textured and quite engaging.”

• HEAR Magazine - June 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  "A subtle fusion of eastern melody within contemporary western pop composition. Drawing on themes r..."A subtle fusion of eastern melody within contemporary western pop composition. Drawing on themes ranging from evil and darkness to love and sexuality, Ashraf broadens the scope of his global audience. He blends his lyrics with sophisticated, fiery arrangements that remain memorable days after you've heard them. Truly unique and intriguing pop songwriting."

• EXCITE Magazine - July 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  “Solo artist adventurism as manifest in the works of acts like Prince is a rare and dying phenomenon...“Solo artist adventurism as manifest in the works of acts like Prince is a rare and dying phenomenon in the corporate apex that is contemporary pop rock. Ashraf's first record is a valiant commitment to creativity and originality, with a collection of songs that skillfully blur the lines of genre classification. Drawing influence from Maroon 5, Ashraf's smooth and versatile voice is matched by an array of exciting live and synthesized instrumentation. "Perfect Chaos" is an album bound to turn a few influential heads in the Canadian music scene and beyond.”

• EYE Weekly Magazine - May 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  “ASHRAF's music is hard to fully describe. It sometimes sounds like Simon and Garfunkel and sometim...“ASHRAF's music is hard to fully describe. It sometimes sounds like Simon and Garfunkel and sometimes sounds like the Backstreet Boys. But what sets ASHRAF apart from other mainstream pop acts is the wonderfully intricate melodies in the instrumentation that carry the vocals throughout each song. Like the piano in “Isabella” or the acoustic guitar in “Whispers”. Poetic and touching lyrics like "Sweet summer breezes sway through your eyelashes" float above the beautifully arranged compositions in this innovative and colorful CD."

• Umbrella Music - August 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  "Only in the loosest sense pop music, Toronto singer/songwriter Ashraf's engaging and arresting pop-..."Only in the loosest sense pop music, Toronto singer/songwriter Ashraf's engaging and arresting pop-rock opus is nonetheless a fine expression of an independent musical spirit and poet's heart. Intricate, eastern-influenced melodies, laid-back, comfortable and untreated vocals with lucid harmonies contribute to an immediate and constant appreciation of Ashraf's wonderful songwriting and arrangement... Perfect Chaos is fascinating, refreshingly original contemporary pop music."

• The Varsity Press - July 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  "Local singer/songwriter and producer Ashraf performs an array of exciting pop rock songs on his deb..."Local singer/songwriter and producer Ashraf performs an array of exciting pop rock songs on his debut CD that will get you smiling and dancing as soon as the first track gets going. Ashraf's material brings the best of Daniel Powter to mind, but does so with a varied approach that manages to sustain intrigue for the duration of the entire album. His lyrics, performed with skill and ease, range in subject matter from light musings about dancing and sexuality to heavier themes of spirituality and salvation. A definite abundance of talent and creativity captured on one CD."

• Scarborough Gazette- July 2005 [+ Show ]
  

  “What do you get when you mix a little Maroon 5, Dave Mathews, Jason Mraz, Lenny Kravitz and a whole...“What do you get when you mix a little Maroon 5, Dave Mathews, Jason Mraz, Lenny Kravitz and a whole whack of artistic courage? You get Perfect Chaos; the debut album from Toronto’s native pop-rock act. Ashraf, originally from Egypt, presents listeners with an interesting blend of Eastern and Western musical influences ranging from Jembai solos and jazzy piano fills, to crunchy distorted guitar hooks and poppy harmonies. Strictly speaking, the record can barely be classified by contemporary definition. It is however, a valiant attempt at carving out a new blend of sounds from the amalgamation of a number of genres. With elements of AC, Pop, Rock, and Alternative cleverly interlaced, the songs vary in subject matter, style and composition. And even though I’m not particularly a fan of long, drawn-out intros, on this well-produced collection, they’re quite engaging. The extent to which Perfect Chaos will have commercial success is going to be based on whether or not audiences are willing to accept music that can’t be cookie-cut. But that’s really the point conveyed by Ashraf in the line: ‘it’s time to throw convention out the door’."

Setlist

"ONE OF THE MOST CAPTIVATING AND ENGAGING LIVE ACTS THAT HAVE EVER TAKEN THIS STAGE."
-- Derrick Coreman, Booker / Promoter (The El Mocambo)

"ASHRAF'S SHOWS ARE A BLAST! It's been a while since I've come across a band with so much talent and charisma. They entertain audiences with genuinely original music that draws from all kinds of influence."
-- Sherry Mullens, Booker / Promoter / Freelance Music Journalist

"ASHRAF'S LIVE ACT IS BY FAR THEIR STRONGEST ASSET. A good-looking band performing memorable and catchy tunes. "
-- Steve Saunders, Booker / Promoter / Freelance Music Journalist

"A TERRIFIC BAND playing fresh new rock n' roll that's both EASY ON THE EARS AND THE EYES."
-- Megan D'Souza, Talent Coordinator, B-Side Club

*** FOR BOOKINGS AND TOUR INFORMATION ***
Please contact:
Ashraf Amin - 416-567-0360
aamin13@rogers.com

Basic Requirements

Calendar