Emerging from the intersection of dark pop, industrial textures, and bass-driven energy, HAIVE is redefining what it means to merge vulnerability with power in music. From her serendipitous stage name—born out of a quick game with friends—to the raw honesty of her single “Bathtub”, HAIVE’s artistry is a delicate balance of emotional depth and sonic intensity. With influences ranging from Skrillex to Billie Eilish, she blends meticulous sound design with haunting melodies, creating music that feels both personal and cinematic. In this interview, HAIVE opens up about her creative process, her journey from bedroom producer to live performer, and the life experiences that shape her unique sound.
Can you share the story behind your stage name, HAIVE, and what it symbolizes for you?
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,” “aesthetics,” and “similar artists,” 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.
How do you describe your music to someone who’s hearing it for the first time?
Dark, gritty, tender yet industrial.
Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
I’ve been listening to bass music since I was 15. Skrillex and Rezz were some of my earliest inspirations — their sound design and that “badass,” in-your-face bass energy really hit the spot for me. Also Billie Eilish. I’m a huge fan of her art in general — not just because of her voice and its many colors, but because her productions are some of the most creative in pop today.
What inspired you to merge Dark Pop with electronic and bass-heavy elements in your music?
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.
Your single “Bathtub” deals with very personal themes—how do you approach turning vulnerability into art?
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.
When writing “Bathtub,” was there a moment that surprised you in the studio?
Originally, “Bathtub” wasn’t supposed to be released. I wrote it as a coping strategy — for therapeutic reasons. The song deals with the topic of abuse and was meant only for myself. It started out as a ballad, but while processing everything, I got angry about having had to experience all of this, and I felt the urge to visualize that emotion. So I brought that anger into the track, since it was part of the healing journey. It’s the finale of the song, expressed through a heavy techno section. I didn’t expect this track to stir up feelings I’d buried for so long.
What role does live performance play in your artistry, especially with your three-piece band setup?
Performing is new to me. I didn’t play any shows until this year — before that, I was only focused on producing. For a long time, I couldn’t imagine how music that’s so electronic could fit into a live context. But ever since I met my band at my new university, things have changed. We managed to develop sets that work for both pop and electronic music stages. Of course, every track comes in a different version when playing live, since not everything created in the studio can be directly translated to a concert setting. But we figured out our own way — and it makes me the happiest.
And performing alongside acts like Snow Patrol and Sportfreunde Stiller must have been surreal—what did you take away from those experiences?
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. Preparing this must have been the most transformative moment in the journey of the project. We went from playing small university shows to performing on an 18-meter stage in front of thousands of people. My band and I worked really hard to make that performance as representative as possible, and it shaped the vision of the project faster than I could have imagined.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Billie Eilish and Skrillex, for said reasons 😉
Outside of music, what passions or hobbies influence your creativity and artistic vision?
I used to have five jobs at once. I have a diploma as a yoga instructor and another as a bartender. I worked in a kindergarten and as a part-time nanny, and I also work as a producer for sync and advertising. I’ve traveled through 29 countries. All of these experiences have shaped my artistic vision. Making cocktails — mixology — is an art form that requires a strong sense of detail. Working with kids teaches you countless life lessons, especially empathy, which is essential in the music industry. Yoga taught me how to find balance and calmness in the craziness of this world, while traveling taught me a lot about myself — and as a songwriter, you need stories to tell. How could you tell any without living them first?
Working as a producer for brands like Porsche, BMW, and Elasten gave me insight into many different genres, which broadened and refined my musical taste.
But music has always dominated my everyday life — and it never gets boring. I recently launched a drum and bass project called VYU. It’s heavier, more club-oriented music, and functions as more of a DJ project. Exploring other genres enriches my overall skills as a producer, and both of my projects grow through that. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
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