Breathe: A New Baha’i-Inspired Album by Klare KuOlga

It’s been a joy to feature Klare KuOlga on Baha’i Blog over the years–whether it’s her interview as part of the Ink of Light Writers’ Festival, her Studio Sessions songs “Blessed Is the Spot” or “O God Guide Me” or her works that we’ve curated in our music section such as the song “Flowers of One Garden”. In this interview, Klare tells us about her new Baha’i-inspired album called Breathe and we’re very excited to hear all about it!

For our readers who aren’t familiar with your music, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a singer-songwriter, musician and music educator. I was born in the Nebilyer Valley in the Western Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, adopted and raised in Australia. My origins stem from three tribes: the Palga (my father’s people), the Kusamb (my mother’s people) and the Ulga (the people who adopted my parents and whose land I was born).

Can you tell us a little bit about your style of music and experience as a musician?

My music is multi-genre; I love weaving together different styles. My lyrics are mainly focused on Baha’i inspirational themes and prayers with a special focus on current world issues.  

Can you tell us a little bit about Breathe? 

The initial inspiration for the album came about from the world crisis of COVID-19 in 2020. This also was the time when the news of a new national Baha’i Temple was to be built in Papua New Guinea (PNG). I felt a strong desire to try and create music which would bring musicians and producers together and decided on recording a new version of “Blessed is the Spot” especially for PNG. This prayer was recorded by musicians and producers in three countries: Australia, PNG and the United States and it is sung in both English and Tok Pisin with the principal producer being Ian Rafalak from the United States. The idea for creating Breathe came after – when I wanted to write songs that talked about finding courage and hope and songs that illustrated the unity of all faiths. 

The album also has a specifical focus on Papua New Guinea and empowering Papua New Guinean women and also offers a call to preserve our planet as a sacred place.

What inspired you to produce this album?

The current issues that the world is facing–I felt a need to create music which would inspire people and give them hope.

Could you tell us about the spiritual principles that inform your music or your creative practice?

The key principles which I like to create from are: the oneness of humanity, the equality of men and women and the elimination of all prejudices. The first two have been specifically used for the creation of Breathe.

What do you hope your listeners will take away with them long after they’ve finished listening?

I hope that Breathe  brings people much joy, happiness, hope and peace. 

Thank you, Klare, for taking the time to share this with us!

Breathe can be found on a variety of music platforms such as Deezer, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Amazon music.

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Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.