Photo by: Carl Rickard
Sarah Khatami is a storyteller who moves with ease between styles. Driven by curiosity and a genuine passion for her craft, the Pittsburgh native weaves her way through R&B, jazz, indie pop, rock, and traditional Persian music, while her clever, narrative-driven lyrics serve as the distinctive constant in an ever-evolving sound. Raised by a poet who exposed her to the profound words of Hafiz, Rumi, and Saadi, and older sisters who introduced her to the sonic worlds of Lauryn Hill, Fiona Apple, and Tracy Chapman, Sarah’s music perfectly mirrors the fusion of cultural influences she grew up on.
Sarah attended high school at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, PA, and, upon graduating, received an annual full-tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Currently based in Brooklyn, Sarah released her debut album, “stalemate,” in June 2024, receiving high praise from Illustrate Magazine, Obscure Sound, and Cougar Microbes. The musical home of its three preceding singles (“smoke alarm,” “over you,” and “save a lil daylight for me”), “stalemate” masterfully chronicles the artist’s first heartbreak, from feelings of confusion and anxiety, to sadness, anger, and ultimately, acceptance.
Sarah’s subsequent singles are a testament to her artistic range. “Genevieve’s Sick!”, a punchy, in-your-face R&B/rock song featuring live instrumentation, and a robust string section, showcases the artist’s sense of humor through her lyrics. Centered around the fictitious character of Genevieve, it tells the tale of someone who is suffering from a fatal illness called “jealousy,” and whose symptoms of bitterness, pride, and resentment will ultimately result in their demise. “Jannah,” on the other hand, a ballad featuring an ornate piano, melancholic oud, and lush background vocals, was written in light of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Inspired by Khaled Juma’s poem, “Oh, Rascal Children of Gaza,” “Jannah” imagines and illustrates a divine paradise for the martyred children of Gaza, with all proceeds supporting families in Gaza.
Most recently, Sarah received fiscal sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, and grant funding from the New Music USA Creator Fund for the creation of her upcoming project, “Shaydaayi” (“شیدایی”). This project will be a collection of musical reinterpretations of her father’s original Persian poetry.
With honesty at the core of her artistic practice, Sarah’s music not only speaks to her listeners, but paints cinematic landscapes for them to wander in, uncovering pieces of themselves.