Getting To Know... HAVYN

Having spent the last few years releasing a wave of smooth and shimmering releases, emerging alt-pop duo HAVYN have now returned with their latest offering 'Mountain'.

With notable comparisons to the likes of Smino, Drake, Jhene Aiko, Sabrina Claudio, Gallant, and Mose, 'Mountain' makes for incredibly rich and textured listen. Taking the conventional RnB tropes and combining them with a bright and ethereal direction gives this new single a beautiful yet haunting aesthetic throughout.

So with the new single doing the rounds now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and what has inspired them most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Syd- My voice. I remember being 6 years old and deciding that I was going to be a singer for the rest of my life. I also dreamed of having one of those headset microphones so I could dance and sing at the same time like the Spice Girls.

Shaq- The drums. From a very young age I always knew that I would play the drums. I don’t know why, but I just knew.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

Our love story. All of the lyrics and every bit of music you hear pretty much exists because of the way we feel about each other.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Syd- I loved 2000’s R&B mostly. Mario, Usher, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Keshia Cole, Keri Hilson, Chris Brown, Rihanna.

Shaq- As a teenager I was heavy into progressive rock music. My favourite band was Rush for many, many years.

Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?

Syd- Something Spice Girls- haha. I knew I needed to sing for people and try and make them feel happy.

Shaq- Yes. I was at a jazz festival concert in High School. The band was called, “James Farm”. I was always very passionate about music, but after that evening is when I decided that I music is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Syd- Deya Dova, Mose, Iya Terra, Kehlani, Jhené Aiko, Hang Massive.

Shaq- Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of The 1975 and Tom Misch.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

All of our songs are either about our relationship or about other people in our lives.

What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?

I’m not sure about “unusual”, but the most unexpected moment so far was winning a Western Canadian Music Award in 2018. We submitted the first ever EP that we released for the awards with the intention to get a few more “industry” people to listen to it, and then we ended up winning “Urban Artist of the Year”. We were quite shocked actually. There were so many talented artists that were nominated. So we were so honoured just to be recognized amongst them.

Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?

Syd- I don’t know how to pick just one, but I’d say herbal medicine and alternative healing modalities are high on my list. Also, our chihuahua, Santana. He might be my biggest passion haha.

Shaq- I think for me, I would say building things. I love creating and constructing a variety of things with wood. Over the past year I have built an awning, a deck, and a studio in our backyard. As well as the countless things Sydney gets me to make for inside our home.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

Syd- This definitely goes along with the last question. I would have been, and still plan on being involved with healing using plants and energy in some way. Or I would have been a veterinarian or animal rescue activist on some island somewhere.

Shaq- In High School I had decided I wanted to become a dentist. I ended up having that very special evening at the jazz concert I mentioned earlier, and that completely changed my life path.

And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?

Syd- BE AUTHENTIC and know that your voice is of value. You have this passion and drive for a reason, so follow your intuition and your heart, because it will lead you places you never saw coming. Always be open to unlimited possibilities and never be afraid to change your mind.

Shaq- Stay true to who you are as a person and an artist. Don’t follow trends for the sake of following trends or make music just to try and get on a specific playlist. Make music that is authentic to you.

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HAVYN's new single 'Mountain' is available to stream and download now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.