Showcase: Jef Maarawi (BR/GR/SY)
May 10 - 10:50 pm - 11:15 pm
Jef Maarawi, born in São Paulo and of Greek, Brazilian, and Syrian descent, began his musical journey in Athens at 17. His sound—a fusion of American folk legends like Bob Dylan and Sufjan Stevens, the raw energy of 90s bands such as Pixies and Nirvana, and the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian Tropicália icons like Jorge Ben Jor and Caetano Veloso—sets him apart.
Having released three albums under the esteemed Greek label Inner Ear Records, he first introduced himself as Egg Hell with Once Part of a Whole Ship (2014) before adopting the name Jef Maarawi and releasing Comfort Food (2017) and Terra Papagalli (2021).
His latest album, Gospel, was recorded in just seven days and serves as a raw reflection on resilience—a bittersweet farewell before an extended stay in Brazil. Gospel draws inspiration from the raw intensity of Australian artists like Gareth Liddiard and Grace Cummings, while channeling the spirit of Brazil’s 1970s music scene.