The Clay of Love – An Album by Sara Paymán

Sara Paymán has released a sweet and soulful album of Baha’i-inspired music titled The Clay of Love. I’ve never forgotten her voice since I head her sing “This Is the Rainy Season” as part of our Studio Sessions series so I am thrilled that she had made this nine-track devotional album. Sara kindly agreed to tell us all about it:

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m Sara, a British Indian-Iranian singer-songwriter, currently living in Albania. I’m professionally trained as a dentist, but music has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve always been drawn to soul music and the way it can lift your spirit and completely transform your mood. That’s the feeling I try to create with my own music–something warm, sincere and enjoyable that helps people feel uplifted or perhaps connected to something higher.

Can you please tell us a little bit about The Clay of Love?

The Clay of Love is a nine-song album made up of passages from the Baha’i Writings that I’ve put to music. I recorded all the vocals myself, literally at home, inside my wardrobe, using the clothes as sound absorption! I also worked with a few wonderful musicians online for some of the instrumentation. It’s an intimate album, made with a lot of love.

I chose quotes that focus on themes like unity, love, and hope, and the songs move through different styles, from soulful piano ballads to more upbeat, bossa-nova-inspired tracks. All the songs are available online for free for a range of uses, such as personal listening, devotionals, Holy Days, community events and more. I have also included songs with words that don’t feel too specifically “Baha’i,” so they can be shared with wider audiences, especially when performing live. 

What inspired you to create this album?

To be honest, I never planned to make an album. These songs started as little ideas, just me playing around on the piano. I played a few of them to my family, and they really encouraged me to record them–not just for myself, but as a service to others, so that they could also appreciate the music. However, I was always put off by the high cost of hiring studios and paying for producers or session musicians, so it never happened. But about a year ago, I was gifted some basic recording equipment, and it was a complete game changer! I suddenly realised I didn’t need a studio but I could make music myself from my bedroom. After that, the ideas just poured out, I was completely in the zone, and about a year after that, the album was born.

What’s something you’ve learned in the process of making this album?

As well as learning so much technical stuff about the process of composing and recording, I learned that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. There were moments I felt insecure about my voice, the mix, or the recording quality, but I realised the purpose wasn’t perfection, it was to uplift hearts, and sometimes sincerity reaches people more than technical perfection ever could.

What do you hope listeners will take away with them?

I hope this album brings people a sense of joy and encouragement, whether that’s through the jazzy, playful melodies, or through the beautiful words that remind us that the world is moving toward unity. The songs also reflect the idea that struggle and suffering can lead to growth, and that even in difficult moments, there is always hope.

What is some advice you’d give to anyone pursuing Baha’i-inspired creative work?

You don’t have to be “perfect” or a professional to start. Let the Writings guide you, and remember that creating Baha’i-inspired art is an act of service, not just a personal project or something done for recognition or profit. When the intention is pure, the art naturally touches hearts, and that’s the true purpose. With that mindset, it’s never a waste of time or money. Even if you don’t see the impact directly, your work can reach people in ways you might never know.

Thank you so much, Sara!

You can listen to The Clay of Love on YouTube, Spotify, Apple music and many other platforms!

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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.