After first blowing up thanks to her covers and content on TikTok, Haven’s rise through the music industry has been nothing short of meteoric.
At just 16, she broke through with her hit song ‘Pieces of Paper’ and was signed to AOR Global. 5 short years later, she now has numerous acclaimed singles under her belt (her Denise Julia collab ‘No Hard Feelings’ has amassed over 7.3 million streams), garnered over 1.5 million followers across social media, played several major festivals (including the upcoming WATERBOMB SINGAPORE 2024), and joined Wild Entertainment Group
Not bad for a barely 21-year-old. But for anyone who thinks that Haven is an overnight success, we assure you, she’s not. She’s had to constantly prove naysayers wrong since a tender age, and continually hone her craft by shaping infectious R&B and pop tunes that were borne out of the singer's deepest vulnerabilities. Now hot off her latest single ‘Easy’, we talked to the surging songstress about her ascent, growth and forthcoming debut album.
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Most young adults (or even adults) have trouble figuring out what they want to be. But we understand that you’ve wanted to pursue music since a young age. Exactly when and how did you figure out this was your calling? And did others around you take you seriously?
My favourite childhood memories were of me watching High School Musical and shows like Shake It Up. I just wanted to perform and sing my heart like they did. Once I found out that making music and performing could be a career and from then, that’s all I wanted to be.
Whenever adults asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a Hollywood star. They would laugh and say they couldn't wait for me to take the stage. But as I grew older the responses were a lot different. When I was a teenager, the sight of me even talking about wanting to be an artist became a mockery to most. No one took me seriously. It doesn’t matter to me anymore, I get to do what I love. No one can take that away from me.
Haven is an interesting moniker. Does it imply that music is your safe place?
Absolutely, I changed my name because I wanted a fresh start. I chose Haven because I wanted my music to be a safe place for others like how music was a safe place for me.
You kind of blew up on TikTok initially. Why do you think your content in those early days resonated with so many people?
I initially posted on TikTok because I saw other creators just having fun and being themselves. I made it my outlet to show others my authentic self. TikTok has opened up so many amazing opportunities for my career, I will forever be grateful.
@theonlyhaven ♬ original sound - HAVENZ✨ - theonlyhaven
You’ve accomplished a lot in a short span, which is a testament to your hard work. But with that comes an increasing level of fame, which is a blessing and a curse. What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced when it comes to public scrutiny?
My journey with music has been a long one, I've pursued music for half my life. My biggest challenge throughout my career has been my own mental health. There will always be public scrutiny especially if you put yourself out there to everyone, however, I’ve never once taken it to heart. I am my own harshest critic. I’ve been blessed to have friends and family that has always been there to encourage me.
From your first single in 2019 to now, how do you think you’ve grown as a musician and performer?
From 2019 till now, I’ve experienced a lot more and taken a lot more responsibility. My perspective has changed a lot over the years and that has translated to my music greatly.
You’ve worked with a number of notable regional artists. Which has been your favourite collaboration so far? And are there any dream artists you’d like to collab with in the future?
Denise Julia has to be one of my favourite artists to work with, she’s incredibly talented and she is never afraid to be herself. I appreciate our collaboration and she deserves all the success that she is receiving right now.
My dream collaboration would have to be Sabrina Claudio. I would simply collapse if that day ever came.
Your lyricism often feels very raw and personal, which is why it's so affecting. How much of it is fictional, and how much is based on your real-life experiences? If it’s mostly the latter, does your craft offer you a form of catharsis or therapy?
I think it is both, there’s always some truth in the songs that I write, but I do exaggerate by a fair bit. I think it helps encapsulate the emotions that I am trying to write about. My music has always been like my personal diary that is being shared with the world to hear.
Tell us about your latest single ‘Easy’. What was the creative and songwriting process behind it?
I had a song called 'No Hard Feelings' and to me 'Easy' was the prequel, the beginning of a story. The opposite of hard is easy and there’s a saying that love should always come easy and I wanted to write my interpretation of that.
Finally, give us a preview of your forthcoming debut album. What can fans expect?
Fans are in for an emotional journey with a beautiful storyline that connects all my songs. I can’t wait for everyone to listen and experience it!
