A Chat with HAIVE (22.10.25)
Emerging dark pop songstress HAIVE is creating music for those who expect more than background noise. Her new single ‘Bathtub’ explore trauma, resilience, and transformation over an intense techno-driven soundscape. We chat with HAIVE about the single and more below.
OSR: Can you tell us the story behind your stage name, HAIVE, and what it represents for you?
HAIVE: Actually, the name came up during a German game similar to Scattegories that I was playing with friends. The categories were things like “syllables,” “colors,” and “aesthetics”, and I gave myself one minute to brainstorm words that reminded me of my music. In the end, syllables like “ve” and “hay” felt like they matched the sound, and that’s how “HAIVE” came to life. For me, it represents the phonetic essence of my music.
OSR: How did growing up in Munich and studying in Switzerland influence your musical journey?
HAIVE: I grew up in the countryside south of Munich, where I had no contact with electronic music until I was about 15. My early musical influences were classical music from my mom and traditional Bavarian brass bands. It wasn’t until I discovered artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5 online that I started questioning the whole “electronic” and “digital” production process. Later, I studied audio engineering and electronic music production in Switzerland, but since it was during COVID, performing live wasn’t even on my radar. I focused on the technical and studio side of things. The more artistic and performative side of music only really started after I moved to Mannheim, where I’m now studying “Singer/Songwriter.”
OSR: What inspired you to blend dark pop with electronic and bass-driven elements in your sound?
HAIVE: Pop was never quite enough for me. I get bored by music that’s too friendly or polished without any edge. Pop has always played a role in my life, but so has heavy electronic music like dubstep. With HAIVE, I try to combine the elements I love in both genres: the emotional accessibility of toplines and songwriting, but also that “badass,” in-your-face bass energy.
OSR: Your single ‘Bathtub’ deals with very personal themes. How do you approach turning vulnerability into music?
HAIVE: To be honest, I usually don’t. In most of my songs, I try to distance myself from personal statements. Even though I study songwriting, I don’t always want to write about my own life – maybe because I see myself as a producer first, with my main focus on detailed production and sound design. When I do share something more personal, it’s usually tied to philosophical concepts I’ve read about, like nihilism. But ‘Bathtub’ was different. It was the first song I wrote that directly dealt with my own story. I didn’t write it to release it; it was more of a therapeutic process. Occasionally, I write to understand myself better and to come to terms with things. ‘Bathtub’ was about doing exactly that. Telling myself the story of how I experienced abuse was a way to stop blaming myself for things that weren’t my fault. I also tried to make the emotional impact of trauma feel tangible and visceral through the sound.
OSR: Can you walk us through your creative process when producing a song from concept to final mix?
HAIVE: It really depends on the song. Sometimes I start with a gritty Serum bass patch in my DAW, other times with a topline or piano chords. I have a studio setup in my apartment, so if inspiration hits, I can record immediately. It’s definitely an advantage being both the producer and the songwriter – it gives me full creative control from start to finish.
OSR: How did it feel to perform alongside iconic acts like Snow Patrol and Sportfreunde Stiller early in your career?
HAIVE: That was definitely a rockstar moment, and it was actually our debut show! Having our own backstage area right next to Snow Patrol felt surreal. I was incredibly grateful to everyone on my team and for the opportunity to bring my art to a big stage.
OSR: How do you balance detailed, meticulous production with emotional authenticity in your music?
HAIVE: For me, they go hand in hand. If you truly stand behind your art and create it for yourself – not just for others – it will always be authentic. I would never release a song I’m not 100% happy with. I believe when you spend a lot of time crafting something, it ends up carrying so much of yourself that it can’t help but feel real.
OSR: How would you describe the vibe of HAIVE in three words for someone who’s never heard your music?
HAIVE: Dark, gritty, yet tender.
OSR: If you could collaborate with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
HAIVE: I guess it’s not a big surprise. First of all, Billie Eilish. Not just because of her voice and the many colors it holds, but because I think her productions are some of the most creative in pop today. Also, Skrillex and Rezz – their bass, sound design, and energy are just genius. Their tracks hit hard in the best way.
OSR: Looking forward, are there new genres or sounds you want to explore in your future projects?
HAIVE: Absolutely. I recently launched a drum and bass project called VYU. With HAIVE, I want to focus more on vocals and make it more of a live project with my band. That’s still my pop outlet. Electronic music is a huge passion of mine, but I’ll explore the heavier, club-oriented side more through VYU as a DJ project.
Many thanks to HAIVE for speaking with us. Find out more about HAIVE on her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify.
