“Kiss me, I’m drunk with your kisses,
your sweet love, is better than wine.”
Songs of Desire is “sonic midrash,” a commentary not written in words but in sound, layering ancient melodies with new interpretations from Pharaoh's Daughter: A band whose music blends the old and the new— sacred text on oud, whispers of Hebrew refracted through electric strings. Think klezmer meets trance, Middle Eastern maqam, West African pulses, mingling with a Brooklyn beat.
The Vision
What if the transcendent Song of Songs, that mysterious, passionate text nestled within the Hebrew Bible, could be heard as it was meant to be—a lush, erotic symphony of divine longing and human intimacy, a timeless message of love, loss, and divine union with fresh arrangements and raw emotional power.
This project will be a journey to the heart of sacred eros. Infused with the teachings of Kabbalah and Hasidic mysticism, and excerpts of text translated into various romance languages, Songs of Desire will weave a tapestry of sensuality and spirituality—rooted in the ancient text yet undeniably fresh and contemporary.
Why Now?
“Desire is the pulse of creation.” According to Jay Michaelson, at a time, when the world around us feels like it’s crumbling, we have a creative revolution, a soul map to puzzle together sustainable, generative musical legacies. In our fragmented world, where intimacy is mediated by screens, Songs of Desire offers a radical, countercultural invitation: to return to the immediacy of love in its most embodied.
Through this music, we aim to unlock the text’s deeper currents, inviting listeners to experience Shir HaShirim as a living, breathing dialogue between lovers—and between humanity and the Divine.
What We’re Creating
• A Full-Length Album: Featuring 12 original tracks inspired by verses from Shir HaShirim, each track blending Middle Eastern instrumentation, jazz, and world music influences.
• A Visual Companion: An ethereal short film featuring choreography, calligraphy, and visual meditations on the text.
• Live Performances: A global tour of intimate concerts to bring Songs of Desire to communities worldwide.
What Makes This Unique
Informed by feminist reinterpretations of Shir HaShirim, Songs of Desire celebrates mutuality and agency. It is both deeply Jewish and radically universal, echoing themes found in Rumi, Hafiz, and other mystic poets.
This is not just music. It’s a spiritual encounter…
How You Can Help
We need your support to bring Songs of Desire to life. Funds raised will cover studio time, production costs, and the creation of the visual companion. By backing this project, you’re not just supporting music—you’re amplifying the sacred voices of love and longing that our world so desperately needs.
Join Us
As the text reminds us, “Love is as strong as death.” This is an invitation to reclaim the beauty of longing as a sacred force, to find ourselves in its rhythms, and to share its message with a world hungry for connection.
Click the purple 'donate' button on the right to choose your support level — your love language!
Perks
When you support this album, you can access amazing perks such as:
- digital downloads
- a physical copy of album
- Basya's Original Inspirational Graphic with Song of Songs Quote for Phone Screen (see sample below)
- ability to preview track before album release date (plus perks above)
- Music Charts of Songs with Lyrics (plus perks above)
...and more!
