No Refuge Save Thee – A Debut Album by Melody McCants

I recently learned about a fantastic new Baha’i-inspired album by emerging singer-songwriter Melody McCants! It’s called No Refuge Save Thee and it features nine gorgeous acoustic devotional songs inspired by passages from the Baha’i Writings. Melody had already released an EP and two singles but I know it’s a massive achievement to produce an album and so I was super excited to connect with Melody and learn all about it!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your musical background?

Music is definitely in my blood, and my name! My parents met in a Baha’i choir my father directed at the time, and I was always in school choirs growing up. Throughout my formative years, I would pick up a guitar here and there and attempt to write songs, but severe stage fright prevented me from creating and sharing music. After college, I attended a youth institute camp for the first time. It was full of beautiful devotionals that included prayers and the Holy Writings put to music. These camps became a place where I could meet like-minded friends striving to live a life of service while also incorporating music into service and worship. It was a transformative experience; the aim of singing in devotional gatherings was to sing with no focus on myself, only to collectively worship God. As time went on, I found I could teach songs to a room of people and sing in devotionals with little to no fear. During my year of service, I started putting the writings to music, composing songs like “My Only Joy” and “Hold Ye Fast,” which can be found on my first EP, Enlighten My Sight.

What was the idea behind this album, and what makes this album unique?

No Refuge Save Thee is my first album, and I have learned and grown so much through the process of making it. Most of the album is a collection of pieces of the Creative Word put to music. The compositions are meditative and made with the intention of being shared in devotional gatherings and to aid with personal meditation and reflection. There isn’t a specific theme for this album. Ultimately, they are a collection of songs that were written from a place of pure inspiration. Maybe I had come across a prayer or quote that particularly touched my heart that day and a melody came to me, or I was playing with some chord progressions and a phrase I had memorized came to mind. Often I would read something and think “I need to put this to music.” It has been very exciting to flow with these moments of inspiration and see where it takes me.

How long did it take you to make this album? What was the experience like and why was it important for you to make it?

It took me a few years, at least. Some of the songs on the album I composed while the world was on lockdown in 2020! Truly, I would not be able to have made this album if it weren’t for my dear friend Amelia Rasekhy, who produced this album. She has released beautiful music of her own. When I started to make music, I was absolutely terrified of putting myself out there in this way and I let fear and perfectionist tendencies stop me from sharing. Amelia met me exactly where I was. She is an extremely gifted and talented musician, songwriter, producer, etc., and her experience, patience and love allowed me to feel excited to try, make mistakes, learn and grow in order to better serve and develop my talents. It has been such a dream to make music with my best friend, for the Faith no less.

How has the album been received so far and what do you want your listeners to walk away with?

Ever since I released my first EP four years ago, Baha’i youth and friends around California in particular have really taken the songs as their own and have shared them with each other. Many have learned to play and share them at devotional gatherings, and the same is beginning to happen with the songs on “No Refuge Save Thee.” I couldn’t ask for anything more! I hope this album brings hearts closer to the Blessed Beauty and assists in inspiring the listener to remain steadfast in serving the Cause. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the album or your music?

My favourite song on the album is “Seek No Other Helper,” a piece my brother Jackson McCants composed. One day he shared it at a devotional gathering and it brought me to tears; the sensitivity, the repetition, the melody, the simplicity yet profundity of the Hidden Word… it really touched my heart. I was so glad he was happy to have the song on the album, and that we could sing it together. I will cherish it forever. 

The album art is a picture of Akka I snapped on pilgrimage early this year. I feel my experience on pilgrimage gave me the extra push to finish and release No Refuge Save Thee, to say the least. 

Where can people find this album and more about you and your music?

My music is streaming on all music streaming sites, such as Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube and you can find me on Instagram under the name @MelodyMcCantsMusic.

Thank you so much, Melody, for sharing this and your wonderful music with us!

To whet your appetite, here’s the opening song to Melody’s stunning album:

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Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.