ABOUT ME

Hi my name is Yusif, I'm a singer/songwriter. I play guitar, piano, & sing. I'm an avid yogi in the Iyengar tradition and I love to travel. I've traveled the US several times over and I'm always grateful to the many souls who've hosted me. I hope I can meet you on my travels and that we can have an unforgettable experience for the brief moment we might share with each other.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been lucky enough to CouchSurf with several amazing people while we've been on tour around the country. I've been to several CouchSurfing potlucks with hosts and some CouchSurfers have become very close friends to me. I've also had the privilege of hosting other musicians as well.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Currently I am surfing solo, although I did do a lot of CouchSurfing with my now ex-girlfriend, Sarah, in 2012. Here's the story from our first experience on CS. It was a blast and a revelation of how generous and awesome people can be if you let them into your life.

Tafik was charming from the moment we met him, an aspiring actor and sometimes bouncer with a delightful outlook on life. He welcomed us sleeping on a futon in his living room for a couple days. He fed us and made drinks for us. He watched Scott Pilgrim vs the World with us. He chatted philosophy and hopes and dreams with us. He also took us to a Couchsurfing potluck dinner, which was extraordinary. Homemade delicacies -- many of them vegetarian -- made by this group of people who had all either surfed on couches or hosted people. Adventurous spirits brought together by a common commitment to community, travel, generosity, and trust. They also asked us to sing for them. It is still one of the most intimidating shows I've played, and also one of the most fun. There were probably 20 or 25 of them, and they all piled onto a couple of couches on one side of the room, and sat, enthralled, couples holding hands, hanging onto every single note. We only played a few songs, but as we finished each one, they erupted in applause. Tafik left the potluck with us to come to our show, where he not only cheered enthusiastically, and sat with our t-shirts and CDs, he actively sold them to our audience, signing people up for our mailing list and really making our night, for the second time.

Interests

Here is my music artist bio for more info on me:

Indie Folk meets Seattle Soul as Yusif delivers authentic American songwriting with an Eastern perspective.

“Written from the viewpoint of someone actually affected by war.” – Huffington Post

With a voice that’s a cross between Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan, and songwriting inspired by John Lennon and Stevie Wonder, Arab American Yusif was born in Seattle and raised between America and Kuwait.

A refugee of the Gulf War as a child, the indie folk artist makes music inspired by his bicultural heritage to help create understanding and bring east and west together. Yusif is an Indie Folk Rocker with Arab Roots.

“Despite all the setbacks in his early life, Yusif has emerged from the other side, wiser, free-spirited and triumphant.” – Blurt

http://yusifmusic.com

http://thegypsylights.com

• cats
• singing
• folklore
• acting
• cooking
• wine
• potluck
• vegetarian
• drinking
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• piano
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Autobiography of a Yogi

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Driving down highway 1 between Monterey and San Luis Obispo on a summer tour - gorgeous cliffs & sparkling blue water.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'll play a private show for you if the timing works! I'll happily cook a vegetarian meal with/for you. I'd love to bring a (likely inexpensive but delicious!) bottle of wine and toast to life and adventures with you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Egypt, England, Kuwait, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kuwait, United States