Babe Haven blows the doors off Nashville’s Blue Room

Born out of the vibrant Boone, North Carolina music scene, Babe Haven has quickly established themselves as one of the most compelling new forces in modern metal. Yet, at their core, the band’s inception was refreshingly simple — there was a desire to “just play”. Guitarist Naomi Poesel recalled during our sit-down conversation that she first heard future lead singer Lillie Della Penna casually mention her interest in starting a band.

Their friendship quickly evolved into a creative partnership that would eventually become Babe Haven.

At first, the group built their sets around a handful of covers and a single original song. But then, something shifted. Whether it was sheer talent or a bit of manifestation, it became clear after their first tour that Babe Haven was tapping into something extraordinary. It was something that singer Lillie “could just feel”. Crowds reacted with electric fervor, validating the band’s instincts that they were on the verge of something bigger. A pivotal show in Brooklyn proved especially consequential, leading to a chance meeting with indie pop duo Matt & Kim. So impressed by Babe Haven’s raw energy, they immediately invited the band to join them on tour. For Babe Haven, it was a moment of affirmation, the proof that all their hard work was beginning to pay off.

After dropping their self-titled EP in 2021, Babe Haven spent the next few years sharpening their knives and bouncing ideas around, pushing each other creatively, and properly finding their voice. Their songwriting process is part late-night jam session, part lucid fever dream. Lillie admits that some of her best ideas hit just as she’s drifting off to sleep, forcing her to scramble for her phone and record voice memos before the inspiration slips away. Naomi, on the other hand, finds herself listening back to her guitar jam sessions, picking apart the best parts to bring to the rest of the band.

Musically, they wear their influences proudly, think the raw snarl of Bikini Kill mixed with the chaotic energy of System of a Down. However, Babe Haven never aimed to be pinned down. They’re not chasing a “sound”; they’re chasing a feeling and if that means breaking rules along the way, even better. Tracks like “Gas Pedal” and “Nuisance” aren’t just bangers; they feel more like mission statements — loud, unfiltered, and completely their own.

Babe Haven isn’t trying to fit into a scene. They’re busy building one. 

Now, they’re tearing up stages alongside the likes of Teen Mortgage, with past tours supporting Matt & Kim and upcoming dates with UK legends Soft Play. It’s clear Babe Haven are no longer just another buzz band. Both Lillie and Naomi agree that the real career high point (so far) came with the release show for their debut album, Nuisance. Selling out a 500-capacity venue felt like being caught in a hurricane, only this time, the storm was entirely of their own making.

For the first time, the fans weren’t there for anyone else; they were there for Babe Haven. Some even showed up with homemade merch, which included DIY T-shirts, bracelets, and more, transforming the crowd into a sea of loyalty and love. Adding to the emotional weight of the night, Naomi’s parents were in attendance, witnessing firsthand how much their daughter’s band had grown beyond the local scene. I wonder, as I write this, what they think of the mosh pits and aggressive energy… my gut feeling tells me they loved it. 

It was a pleasure sitting down with them for an interview, but the highlight of my night came right after, when I had the chance to see what all the fuss was about. Babe Haven absolutely blew the doors off Nashville’s Blue Room. From the moment they hit the stage, they barely stood still, whipping the crowd into a wild, sweaty frenzy of mosh pits, headbanging, and pure chaos.

It was everything you hope for in a breakout show: raw, visceral, unforgettable.

If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Babe Haven is just getting started. With this much momentum behind them, it’s only a matter of time before they’re headlining the world’s biggest stages. Catch them now… or risk being one of those people claiming you knew them before they blew up.

Photography by Derek Jones

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