I came across Kiya Shahidi’s melodies on Instagram when he performed his first jazzy rendition of quotations from the Writings and his voice hooks you right in the heart! He’s been very prolific recently but I wanted to hear all about his live Baha’i-inspired album called Faith. I hope you enjoy this conversation, and Kiya’s incredible voice, as much as I do!
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi!! My name is Kiya Shahidi, and I’m a musician from North Carolina. I’m currently studying software engineering but my passion in life is music. I write and perform music about the events and emotions in various seasons of my life. As a Baha’i, much of my music is inspired by my faith, either directly or indirectly. Besides music, I try to spend my time doing things I love: being in nature, watercolour painting, video games, running, teaching guitar, and community building activities.
Could you tell us a little bit about your album Faith? What inspired you to create it?
After high school, I dedicated two years of my life to service at the Baha’i World Centre. It was the most transformative experience of my life. I met some of my best friends in the world (from all around the world), I experienced difficult and fulfilling personal growth, I found comfort, I found community, I found home. About a year into my service, the war began. My time was cut short abruptly, and I left within a few day’s notice without getting to say goodbye to the Shrines, my friends, and my home. I had an ocean of love in my heart for my friends and for my true home. When I left, my heart broke, the ocean flooded, and I felt like I was drowning. The songs that I wrote to process these feelings of grief, resentment, and longing eventually opened the way to my heart to feel things like hope, the love of god, and faith. These songs make up my new album, Faith.
What’s something you’ve learned in recording the album?
Half a year after returning and writing these songs, I felt empowered enough to perform them for people. I was moved to observe how my story resonated with the stories of those listening. Those who had lost a parent or those who left their country due to civil war or religious persecution. The emotion of grief, no matter the form, was universal. The songs I wrote were a healing balm to these tender emotions, and I wanted to give them to anyone who could use it.
What do you hope listeners will take away with them?
May they take these songs and align the messages with their own stories. And may they understand that they are not alone in the big emotions they feel.
Thank you so much, Kiya, for taking the time to share this with us!
You can listen to Faith on a variety of music platforms such as Spotify and Apple music. You can also follow Kiya on Instagram to stay updated on new songs.
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.
