Spotlight: Babe Haven Unleashes Femme Fury with ‘Nuisance’
AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH – North Carolina's Babe Haven are a powerhouse of raw emotion and unapologetic grit, swallowing unwelcome judgment and spitting it back into the faces of those who dare to criticize. Their sophomore record, Nuisance, is a testament to their evolution and commitment to an unpolished, authentic sound that harks back to the fierce energy of 90s grunge, punk and hardcore.
Babe Haven, composed of Lillie Della Penna (vocals), Naomi Poesel (guitar), Julia Lynn (bass) and Brendan Martini (drums), has crafted a record that’s both a visceral experience and a showcase of extreme musical prowess. The band’s chemistry and shared vision are evident in every track from start to finish, creating a cohesive yet dynamic listening journey. Their music doesn’t just play; it crashes into you, pulling you into a whirlwind of emotions where rage is not only acceptable but celebrated.
“The word ‘nuisance’ is in regards to how certain people see people like us who speak up for political activism and that just being a ‘nuisance’ to society of everything that's going on and not being afraid to be loud, especially with music,” Poesel says. “It's the only outlet that we really have to express that. In this way it reaches a bigger audience that also aligns with the morals and ethos of what we stand for as well, especially with the election and Palestine.”
Nuisance is not an album for the faint of heart. It’s fervent, brave, and untamable, reflecting the band's refusal to conform to mainstream expectations. Tracks like “Blind Yourself” and “Suck It Up” embody the unrelenting aggression and vulnerability that define their music. Penna’s powerful vocals cut through the noise like a battle cry. Poesel’s guitar riffs are sharp and biting. Lynn’s bass lines pulse with raw energy and Martini’s drumming is relentless and unyielding.
“The influence for this album was that we wanted our sound to be a lot angrier,” Penna says. “I realized that everything that I wrote is very threatening and aggressive because I feel like a lot of music and art has been almost a little too careful lately for my liking personally. I want people to have that outlet to feel really angry and there's so much to be angry and scared about. We just wanted to have an album out that encapsulates that we’re aware of the things that are happening and this is how we feel about it.”
Dogs snarling and barking greet you before the first note even hits in the album’s opener “Gas Pedal.” The track immediately sets an intense listening atmosphere of raw ferocity. It’s threatening and explosive, grabbing listeners by the throat as wails screech through the cacophony. It's a primal experience, an aural embodiment of pent-up frustration ready to burst.
“Die (and Rot)” takes a haunting turn where the melodies are eerie and chilling. The song builds an unsettling ambience, enveloping the listener in its melancholic embrace..
Nuisance is a manifestation of intense emotions and a gritty sound that makes you want to dig your platform heel hard and deep into a man’s face. The band has a way of channeling rage and creating a safe space where listeners can feel and express every bit of their fiery emotions. Themes of aggression and defiance are best heard in “Bubbleguts” with the lyrics, “Next boy who looks my way / I’ll claw his fucking eyes out / Tell him to quit his whining all the time.”
In a world where femme rage is often dismissed or minimized, Babe Haven flips the script. “Blind Yourself” and “If I Were You” are standout examples of the band’s ability to merge melody with chaos. The tracks feature a slow-building intensity that explodes into a powerful chorus, while the latter is a high-speed anthem of disillusionment and defiance.
Inspired by their own experiences with catcalling and sexual harassment, “Can’t Call This Cat” is a fierce response to the objectification they’ve faced. Babe Haven have dug their claws deep into this track, delivering a performance that's both unyielding and cathartic. They aren’t afraid to get bloody, channeling their anger into every note and lyric.
“Can’t Call This Cat” stands out as the band’s personal favorite track on the record. The song's interactive nature, with the engaging “clap, clap, clap your hands” intro, invites listeners into the Babe Haven atmosphere. From the very start, it draws listeners into the collective rage. The chorus, “can’t call this cat without being bit back,” serves as a powerful declaration of their refusal to tolerate disrespect. It’s a clear message to anyone who tries to belittle or harass them: they will fight back.
“‘Can't Call This Cat’ is my favorite song and it's just so fucking heavy with emotion,” Penna says. “I was very passionate recording the vocals for it. I felt so fucking fed up walking outside of my house in Durham. I probably get catcalled at least once a day. That's what inspired that and when we first got that master back for it, I was like in the car listening to it and I had tears in my eyes. I was so fucking angry listening to and it felt so good to have that anger.”
The closing track “Final Girl” serves as the ultimate cathartic release on Nuisance. This song embodies the culmination of all the raw emotions and intense energy that Babe Haven has built up throughout the record. From the outset, it grips listeners with its crazy laughs, speedy riffs, and a high-energy guitar solo, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
The sound of “Final Girl” is fast-paced and vividly expressive, with lyrics that paint a stark, visceral picture: “Read it and weep / Blood in your eyes and there’s rot in your teeth.” As the track progresses, the energy only heightens, leading to a climactic and haunting conclusion. The band’s chant of “finish him” serves as a chilling mantra, closing the record with an unforgettable, spine-tingling effect.
What makes Babe Haven truly special is their ability to transform their rage into something beautiful and empowering. Nuisance is a testament to the power of femme artistry, showing that it’s possible to be both fierce and vulnerable, to channel rage and still create something that resonates deeply with others. They craft an environment where anger, pain, and frustration are not just acknowledged but amplified, allowing listeners to embrace these emotions fully.
“I want our songs to be a little bit more open to interpretation,” Penna says. “I know some of them are quite literal and can totally be taken at face value. I like to give a pretty broad answer because when you think of your favorite songs and how they make you feel, obviously you associate them with the different things within your own personal life. I want people to feel that way too. I want them to be angry or feel really passionate about our songs.”
In an era where expressing anger is often seen as unfeminine or inappropriate, Babe Haven gives us the permission we need to embrace our fury and use it as a force for good. They show us that it’s okay to be angry, that it’s okay to demand more, and that it’s okay to fight for what we believe in.
Babe Haven’s music acts as a conduit for the kind of catharsis that comes from finally being able to bark, growl and let it all out without fear of judgment. Nuisance is a powerful reminder that femme rage is not something to be feared or suppressed but something to be celebrated and harnessed.
