INTERVIEW: Parissa Zarifi

Image by Simon Shaw

Parissa Zarifi’s latest treat of an album, Sing For My Soul is hauntingly beautiful and stuffed to the brim with obvious, effortless talent. The singer-songwriter and violinist serves up potent lyricism and rich string arrangements on a sparkling silver platter of ten tracks, and it’s evident that her creative process is just as magical as her sound.

“Artistically, I can only create when there’s something to say or I have an urge to let out what’s inside. It’s very much a therapeutic process, and so my writing really reflects my experiences and me as a person. I enjoy art and music that fosters connections, is about truth, love and the macabre. I enjoy playing with this through imagery, particularly referencing nature in my lyrics, which I feel a strong connection to.”

Sonically delightful and diverse, Parissa cites a myriad of inspirations for the album. Lyrically and harmonically, names like Chris Cornell and Ville Valo come up, whereas vocally Parissa leans more towards the greats of the 60s and the 70s – Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Joan Baez. Jimi Hendrix is also highlighted as a formative figure within Parissa’s pool of influences, specifically for the “electrifying energy he brought to the stage” – and what’s truly electrifying here is how unique Sing For My Soul is: not a mimic of any of these greats, but instead a gratifying result of Parissa’s intriguingly varied musical tastes, and her talent-driven individuality.

Artistically, I can only create when there’s something to say or I have an urge to let out what’s inside

One of the huge amplifiers of this individuality is the fact that Parissa is not your average singer-songwriter, she is also an incredibly proficient violinist. “Being a multi-instrumentalist allows me to explore melody and harmony in so many different ways, which makes me feel alive. Incorporating a loop pedal into my shows has been a life-saver and means I can bring something fresh and momentary to each and every performance through improvised violin solos.”

The record is tastefully and timelessly recorded, featuring many of these violin solos, and all done in Middlesbrough. “I recorded my tracks in the studio with Mark McGurrin, and mixed and mastered these with Brendan Portues at Loco Studios. Working with both of these brilliant engineers made the recording process so enjoyable for me. With their expertise (and a few pints!) I was able to realise the sounds that were in my head, which felt amazing.” Parissa also notes that she was deeply grateful for the constructive feedback Mark and Brendan were able to offer when at times the recording process became a challenge, mentally – though she assures us the challenge was well worth it upon hearing the final album masters. Once you’ve listened to it, I’m certain you’ll agree.

And what better way to listen to it than live? You can do so, in its entirety, at a release-day candlelit cabaret show at ARC, Stockton. “Expect a night of emotive performances of purely original music – haunting vocals, violin improvisations, epic solos from lead guitarist Rob Harvey and a chance to purchase your copy of the album. Support comes from two of my favourite artists, Mary Elizabeth Webb; piano maestro and angelic vocalist, and Stockton-born guitar mariachi and singer-songwriter, Rob Harvey.”

But whether you can make this show or not, I encourage you to spend some time with Sing For My Soul – hopefully, it sings to yours.

Parissa Zarifi launches Sing For My Soul at ARC, Stockton on Thursday 5^th September.