Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Haven

Music has the power to heal—just ask singer-songwriter Haven. At the age of ten, she fell ill to a mysterious ailment that had her in and out of the hospital for an entire year. During that time, she found solace in songwriting. As she recovered from the illness, her passion for music remained. Today, she dropped her debut single, “Swimming In Your Feelings”, and it’s a song you’ll have on repeat. We caught up with the talented artist to chat all things “Swimming In Your Feelings”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Haven: My parents are both teachers and coaches, so I grew up very involved with sports. Sports were fun, but my true love was music. Before I knew what songwriting was, I would write songs about drama on the playground or anything I was feeling. Then, when I was nine-years-old, I bought a guitar with my birthday money and started learning how to play. That’s when I was able to start putting music to my songs. At the time, I was still very involved with sports, and music was just something I did when I wasn’t at practice.

When I turned ten-years-old, I became very sick with a mysterious illness. I wasn’t able to do sports or attend school; I was in and out of the hospital for most of that year. Pretty much the only thing I could still do from the hospital was write songs, so I became super passionate about music. It healed me through that time. After I started to become healthy again, I loved music so much that I didn’t want to go back to sports, and that’s when I discovered music was my main passion. It wasn’t fun to go through all of that, but it was a blessing in disguise looking back. I’m so glad I had music to get me through all of it.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Haven: The biggest influence on my career was probably Shania Twain. My mom took me to my first concert to see Shania when I was four-years-old. After the confetti fell, I looked up at her and said, “I want to do that!” From that moment on, I had the dream of selling out stadiums.

PC: Tell us about your upcoming single, “Swimming In Your Feelings”. What inspired the track?
Haven: I’m so excited for “Swimming In Your Feelings” to be out! I’ve been writing for this project almost every day for the past year and a half, so to get to finally start sharing all of my work is incredibly exciting for me.

I wrote “Swimming In Your Feelings” about a year ago. It was when I first started making trips to L.A. and long story short, I met a super cute L.A. boy, we fell hard for each other, he broke my heart, we broke up, and I wrote a song about it. I feel like most of us have felt like we’re swimming in somebody’s feelings at some point. Even though it’s technically a breakup song, I wanted it to still feel like a jam and not just another sad song. So, I hope y’all turn it up and enjoy it.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back is there a particular moment that sticks out to you?
Haven: I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had so far. I think the biggest thing looking back was the touring I got to do at a really young age. Opening for Toby Keith at fourteen in front of 11,000 people is something that still sticks with me. Getting to connect with so many people is such an amazing experience. Having those opportunities at a young age was such a blessing, and I’m truly thankful for those experiences. I can’t wait to get back out on tour and share this music live.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead to the end of 2019 into 2020?
Haven: Lots and lots of new music. We’ll be releasing my first single “Swimming In Your Feelings” November 1st, followed by a single every six weeks starting in 2020—so lots of new material on the way.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Haven: Big & Rich

PC: First album you bought?
Haven: Taylor Swift

PC: First concert you attended?
Haven: Shania Twain

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Haven: Shania Twain’s album Up! was my go-to. I think it just showed a confidence that as a young girl I needed and fell in love with. Also, the production was so fun and ahead of the curb…such a great record.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Haven: Madison Square Garden

PC: A must-have on the road?
Haven: Chick-Fil-A

To keep up with Haven, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up “Swimming In Your Feelings” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos