Pop artist Haven defies the constraints of her struggle with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), as she creates music embracing those moments of weakness, strength, and the often times chaotic emotions associated with love and heartbreak. In addition to Haven being a potent singer, she is heavily involved with organizations making strides in childhood cancer research. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn about Haven’s music journey and upcoming projects.

Where are you based?
I spend pretty equal time between Nashville and LA!

What got you interested in singing/songwriting?
Music was always something I loved ever since I can remember. My mom took me to my first concert to see Shania Twain when I was four years old and I looked up at her and said, “I want to do that”. I’ve always had the dream of selling out stadiums. I bought a guitar with my birthday money when I was nine and started writing, but I didn’t really start pursuing music seriously until I was 12. I started fronting a band, doing around 100 dates a year, traveling to Nashville to be in writing sessions every day and going to meetings. I homeschooled all of high school so that I would be available to travel and pursue music as well. I lived in my band trailer at 15 with my mom so I could have the ability to tour and write in Nashville, and at around the age of 19 I started traveling to Los Angeles to write for this pop project. I feel like naturally I’ve always had the passion and dream to write and be an artist. It’s just been something that’s always been in me.

Early in your career, you made a name for yourself writing country songs in Nashville. What influenced your transition across genres from country to pop music?
Growing up in Moville, Iowa, the majority of the music I listened to was country music. I wasn’t exposed to pop until I moved to Nashville actually. Once I started listening to more pop, it opened up a whole new world of music and melodies for me. Over time, I started writing more pop leaning songs. I knew I wanted to do pop, but everyone I knew around me was in the country music business so I felt kind of lost. Last April, my publishing company sent me on a writing trip to LA & I did a week full of pop sessions. The pop melodies flowed out of me naturally and I knew that was the music I was supposed to be making, but I was kind of in a weird in-between sonically. My publisher introduced me to my now manager, Brian Teefey, on that LA trip, and long story, short he started helping me make the pop transition and developing me as an artist. So, now about a year and a half later, we’ve released my first single "Swimming In Your Feelings" and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m so thankful for the team I have around me. <3

Where does your musical inspiration come from?
My musical inspiration comes from a mix of Bazzi, Shania Twain, and Julia Michaels. I grew up on Shania Twain, so my music has a flavor of the confidence she has in a lot of her music. I also love the conversational and vulnerable lyrics from Julia Michaels and the production style of Bazzi, so I try to incorporate pieces of what inspire me and make me excited as a listener into the music I create.

Can you tell us more about your debut pop track “Swimming In Your Feelings”?
I’m so excited for “Swimming In Your Feelings” to be out everywhere! :) I wrote “Swimming In Your Feelings” about a year ago when I first started making trips to LA. Long story short... I dated an LA boy, 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 & enjoy it! :)

What is the #SwimmingInYourFeelings challenge?
The #swimminginyourfeelings challenge is a challenge started on TikTok! When we released “Swimming In Your Feelings”, people from all over the world started making videos of them swimming in random places to the song on TikTok! It’s so cool to see people having fun with the song on social media and making videos! The hashtag #swimminginyourfeelings for the song has over 2.4million views now! Which is so crazy!

At a young age you were diagnosed with POTS Syndrome. Can you tell our readers what that is and how it has influenced your life?
POTS Syndrome is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It’s kind of known as the “illness that makes you dizzy”, but for me it caused acute pancreatitis, which came with attacks that only going to the hospital could stop. My digestive system wouldn’t work, my body temperature wouldn’t regulate, my liver was trash, I became allergic to all my pets, vision went blurry, pretty much nothing in my body was working correctly. Each patient has a different experience with it. Pretty much my heart wasn’t communicating with my brain so the blood wasn’t going where it needed to and was causing everything to stop working right. It definitely influenced my life for the better though. My illness ended up being a blessing because it brought me to my true passion… music!

It was during the time when you were first diagnosed with POTS that you started writing songs. Can you tell us how this came to be and how POTS has influenced your music?
Music was my healer when I was in the hospital. I went from being super involved with athletics and playing every sport that was available in my tow, to being too weak to walk to the bathroom and being stuck in a hospital bed. The only thing that was left for me was music. It was my getaway, and writing music took my mind off of being sick. I remember towards the end of my illness, I was at the Mayo clinic and I wanted to bring my guitar so I could sing for my doctors. My superhero mom pushed me in my wheelchair and carried my guitar on her back all the way through the Mayo Clinic, just so I could sing for all of the doctors during my appointment. It wouldn’t matter how sick I felt — when I sang, the pain disappeared for a moment. It gave me something to be passionate about during that time. I remember when I was starting to get better and started doing shows again, I would have fevers or be puking on the way to a gig, but once I was on stage it would all subside. I was just consumed in the music and the feeling of performing. I loved it. An amazing local family sent me and my family on a trip to Nashville as a gift. That trip is what set me on fire and made me want to pursue music permanently. I am forever thankful for that trip and the family that made it happen. Once I was better, my parents asked me if I wanted to start getting involved with sports again, and I told them I wanted to focus on music. So, they helped me start booking shows. I started doing around 100 dates a year, and it went from there. I’m so thankful I had the gift of music to carry me through that tough time in my life.

Can you tell us a little more about your philanthropic pursuits such as how you got involved in aiding research and recovery efforts for childhood cancer, such as Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research?
Yes! I started becoming involved with The Rally Foundation for kids with cancer in Nashville around 13 years old. While singing at events to help raise money, I learned that only 4% of federal government cancer research is going to studying pediatric, cancer which is completely unacceptable. It’s something I didn’t realize until I became involved with Rally. I’ve met so many incredible, smart, beautiful kids, and it breaks my heart to see a child going through any type of illness. Kids should be outside playing with their friends, not stuck in a hospital bed. I was hospitalized a lot when I was younger, so my heart truly goes out to childhood illnesses and any families that have to go through that.

Can you tell us a little bit about your thoughts on neurological and physiological effects of music as a method of healing?
Yes! Personally, I went through a childhood illness and was hospitalized a lot when I was younger. When I was able to sing or play a guitar I truly felt no pain because I was so consumed in the music. From that experience, I found music and I experienced the healing power of music. Kids being able to write what they're feeling and making it a song is something that I truly believe helps patients mentally handle what they're going through.

Are there any organizations you are working with to support this?
Yes! I am working with The Rally Foundation! You can get involved by going to https://rallyfoundation.org!

Is there any music you find particularly healing?
I think it depends on each individual. For me, writing my music was the best form of healing, but for others it could be Christian / Worship music, uplifting pop music, or really whatever they connect with the most.

Are you working on any new music?
Yesss!! I will be releasing a new single every six weeks starting in 2020 and I CANNOT wait!!!

What is your motto in life?
Keep on keepin on :)

Please list any websites or social media you would like Jejune to promote:
Instagram: @iamhavenmusic
Twitter: @iamhavenmusic
Facebook: @iamhavenofficial/

All photography by: Storm Santos

Haven Is Healing Through Music