Babe Haven are riot grrrl at its finest -- loud, brash, unapologetically blunt, satirical, and confrontational on the issues that matter to them. A still young group, Babe Haven are rapidly becoming one of North Carolina's most interesting rock bands. Their playing's aggressive (mixing punk, hard rock and metal), their live shows are intense, but everything's cut with a playful sense of irony and theatricality. Their latest record is last year's NUISANCE LP. All three band members, Lillie Della Penna (lead vocals), Naomi Poesel (lead guitar), and Julia Lynn (bass) were kind enough to provide responses to the Come Hear NC questionnaire below. If you or your band would like to be profiled here, shoot an email to max.brzezinski@dncr.nc.gov.
Capsule summary-style, describe your band(s) (its members, home, history):
Lillie Della Penna: We are a pretty straightforward, aggressively heavy feminist band from North Carolina - with huge emphasis on being queer and outspoken. We started in the Appalachian mountains in 2021, and moved to Durham (Central NC) in 2023.
How long have you been in North Carolina, and what's your relationship with the state?
LDP: I moved permanently to Boone, NC a little over a month before COVID hit. I grew up in Florida but have a ton of family in this area, so I’d spend every summer and Christmas up in the mountains. In 2017, I was living in Miami & going to school on a soccer scholarship (Lol). Hurricane Irma hit, forcing my parents and I to evacuate up to my cousins’ house. I spent a week in Boone by myself, where I had my first whirlwind gay relationship that ruined my life (inevitably so). Out of that, I ended up with some lifelong friends and a deep love for the Appalachian Mountains and all of North Carolina!!:)
Naomi Poesel: My dad is military so I moved to NC in 2013 to Fayetteville from Tampa, FL where I grew up. I went to App State for university and stayed a few years later because of the aesthetics of the scenery and the small local community that kept me there. Now currently living in Durham where a tight knit community, diversity, and its art scene are very prevalent.
Julia Lynn: I have lived in North Carolina pretty much my whole life, and went to school at App State in Boone, where we all met. I think NC is a beautiful and underrated and often overlooked state, it’s got a lot of talented musicians and artists and creative scenes with a lot of diversity. It also has beautiful scenery from the beach to the mountains
What North Carolina artists do you listen to most?
LDP: Pie Face Girls, PEARL, Wastoid, Indigo De Souza
NP: Girl Brutal, Pie Face Girls, Bangzz, Fading Signal, Wastoid
Most slept-on, underrated North Carolina artist?
LDP: Definitely agree with everyone saying Girl Brutal, we love them and definitely hope to see them get their props soon! Omi and I also saw this sick band at a Fading Signal show recently; they are called flora in silence - from Greensboro - and they really surprised us with how great they were.
NP: Girl Brutal
JL: Girl Brutal for sure!
Favorite North Carolina musical memory/moment?
LDP: Besides our own release show for Nuisance, which was insane and emotional for me and really showcased how tight-knit and supportive our scene is, I’d say when Omi and I saw GEL at Local 506 last year. We have seen and been part of some pretty memorable shows there. Fuji, the owner, is a really wonderful person.
NP: Seeing Destroy Boys and Jigsaw Youth in 2021 at the Local 506 with Lillie. This was our first impression of the local music scene in the Triangle, we befriended people at the show when we first started Babe Haven. These were some of the first people out of Boone (where we started) who have stuck by us, supporting us ever since. I feel quite fond and grateful for that experience.
Favorite non-musical North Carolina memory/moment?
LDP: In Boone, I lived in the woods right on the creek. I had a swimming hole all to myself and would walk down in the summer and eat cherries while sunbathing on a big rock. In the winter, I’d go down to sit and write alone and be pensive and theatrical. I love how ancient, spooky, and haunted the woods are.
NP: Literally any outdoor experience (hiking, snowboarding, swimming, picnicking) in the mountains with my friends.
JL: Living in Boone and going to the river in the summer
Earliest North Carolina memories?
LDP: I’ve stayed with family in NC and VA since I was a tiny baby, but the memory that stands out the most was visiting Maggie Valley as a kid for the first time. I had never seen something so gorgeous before nor had I ever been moved to tears by a landscape. The recent hurricane really caused some damage to that town and all the surrounding areas.
NP: I visited the Outer Banks as a kid, meeting my aunt for the first time. This was a big deal at the time because I had never met anyone from my mom’s side of the family who are from Thailand. We walked on the beach shore and I watched my mom glow as she rekindled with her sister and ate incredible Thai food.
JL: Being a kid and playing in the woods with the other kids in my neighborhood in Raleigh
Has North Carolina been a good place to be a musician?
LDP: Absolutely. I wouldn’t change anything. I moved to Boone with the intent of starting a band. The music scene at the time I was planning my permanent move (2019) was absolutely flourishing, and my best friend and I always talked of our hypothetical band. It’s a fantastic place to start creative projects.
NP: Overall I would say that it is! Different cities have different local scenes that are prone to a multitude of genres, demographics, and where you can perform. When starting Babe Haven, Boone was supportive and a great DIY influence but also had its toxic moments being in a college town. I’m thankful everywhere in NC we have been welcomed with open arms and feel very well supported through it even if it took some time doing so.
JL: Yes there are so many thriving local scenes throughout the state, and especially in Boone where we formed, there are so many creatives, musicians and people who love to come out and support local music.
What would make it better?
LDP: More space for feminist and BIPOC groups to make their art without fear of backlash or prejudice or intense racial/transphobic/misogynistic criticism. I’ve noticed the hate is so much worse when you’re starting out, proving to me that most of the criticism comes from a place of wanting to bully a small or “helpless” marginalized group. More pushback (ideally from other men) when men make those nasty comments and practice their hateful little antics would make this scene better. Also, no more fucking merch cuts.
NP: Increasing the amount of queer, BIPOC, female artists that exist in the space. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of that, but not enough in the grand scheme of patriarchal white culture in the music industry. Often more times than not, the majority of the minority are not taken seriously and have to “prove” themselves. People need to support the local music scene, especially those who are the minority.
What is the musical community around you like?
LDP: Unbelievably friendly and supportive. 99% of them are other queer folks who also have a deep love and appreciation for local music, and are super involved in community organizing.
NP: I would say it’s been pretty supportive. Bands support others in the scene, by boosting locals, showing up to gigs, and helping each other out. The people that come to these shows are pretty respectful, friendly and loyal. It’s honestly like one big family.
What are the important shared sensibilities between you and your collaborators? Divergences?
NP: Definitely having passion for the same causes. We use our platform to speak for those who are marginalized and if anyone has an issue with anything we support it’s non-negotiable that we don’t associate with them.
When did you know you want to be a musician?
LDP: Basically since I became sentient. My dad has been in bands his whole life; something I assumed was normal. I would sing loudly in the bathroom stall at my preschool - loud enough that my mom (who worked in the front office at that time) could hear me.
NP: I always dreamed as a teenager of the possibility of being in a band but knew it wasn’t going to be possible for me. I only knew how to play the keys at the time. When Covid hit, I learned how to play the guitar, and one year later I formed Babe Haven. I never wanted to do anything else since.
Were your inclinations towards music encouraged?
LDP: Yes, but I was much, MUCH too shy to act on that. Any enthusiasm or encouragement sent me running and hiding, and I wouldn’t sing again.
NP: Yes, I was encouraged to push out of my comfort zone with local musicians around the time I started playing the guitar. Like Lillie, I was incredibly way too shy and anxious to perform anytime to ANYONE. After jamming with them for a year, I was able to build the courage and experience needed to perform. Unfortunately for my parents, they didn’t take my passion for music seriously and tried to get me to focus on academics and getting “adult jobs.” 3 years later they saw us for the first time at our sold out album release show. I’ll just say that changed their perspective of me being a musician for the better.
Do you have a good ear?
NP: I think I have a great ass ear. Honestly too much to where it plagues me because I am my own worst critic. I sometimes feel like I am the only one who hears minuscule sounds in songs and it bothers me so much that no one else can hear it at times. I never learned how to read sheet music, It’s always been by ear and when necessary I refer to tabs.
What would your fans be surprised you love to listen to?
LDP: Frank Sinatra, Lesley Gore, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Brenda Lee are basically my council
NP: Beabadoobee, The Sundays, Momma, ASAP Rocky, Silversun Pickups
JL: I love pop and folk music
Do you view your music as self-expression? Or is it more abstract? Or both?
LDP: It is definitely an expression of myself, even though I try hard to write in relation to my friends and bandmates as well. I don’t see the lyrics I write as only belonging to myself. I like when people have different interpretations of what our song might be about - especially since the intense passion and anger in the song is unmistakable.
NP: Anything that comes out of me musically is solely my self expression. Not to sound dramatic but it literally possesses me and I am overtaken by the sound of my guitar when I play it. Lyrics written can definitely be taken literally but also be taken abstractly to however people may see it fit.
How has your work changed over time?
LDP: I always wanted to sing and belt loudly (ie Kathleen Hanna type of vocals), and Omi always tried pushing me towards harsh and screaming vocals. It was difficult for me to accept that part of myself, but now I can fully lean into it.
NP: I started off making riffs that were inspired by grunge, indie pop, and punk. Clairo, Beabadoobee, and Nirvana actually influenced me a lot in our EP even though it is music that we no longer want to identify with. It’s gotten more aggressive, louder, heavier and more emotive which satisfies me greatly.
Does humor have a place in your music?
LDP: Of course. Trying to be serious and have a controlled “bad bitch” type of attitude all the time is exhausting. It’s more fun to be able to go buck wild on stage and laugh/cry/sweat/spit/drool everywhere instead. I also want to instill in our listeners that it’s best to make fun of the men our songs are about. They don’t take threats seriously most of the time, but they haaaate to feel like they’re being laughed at. So it’s fun to do both.
NP: What’s the point of making serious music all the time? There’s gotta be a good balance to make aggressive music sound palatable.
Does spirituality?
LDP: Absolutely. I try to tap into a higher power before every show; before every lyric writing session. It’s important to be in touch with that part of yourself.
NP: When I can get my nerves out the way then totally. Once I feel comfortable in my environment where I practice or perform it’s a cathartic experience that affects not just my physical self, but also emotionally and spiritually.
Is your music political?
LDP: Of course. It’s the only thing that it is. Everything is political, down to the food you eat and the roads you drive on.
NP: Yeah everything is corrupt
Is music a job, a vocation, or hobby for you?
LDP: It is everything for me! It’s the only thing that keeps me going. Even though I can’t pay my bills with it yet, it takes up my entire life.
NP: It also everything to me. It started off as a hobby then turned into way more than that. It’s what I consume and create the most of.
Do you care about music critics and what they write?
LDP: Of course I take criticism into consideration, but it’s pretty obvious from the jump where they are coming from with their statements. It’s necessary to pay attention to constructive feedback when it’s from someone you respect. However, people with the most negative shit to say are usually never even close to being “music critics,” haha.
NP: - If you let one person’s opinion about a musician affect how you think about a group especially if you haven’t seen them before, then maybe start some self-reflection. Sure it can be great or bad press and grab people’s attention, but at the end of the day everyone has their own opinion. Just see it for yourself.
What makes good music? Bad music? What do you love in a great song, hate in a bad one, and what renders you indifferent in a blah one?
LDP: A good song is one that you can tell they spent time on. It’s unique, even if it follows the guidelines of their genre. It’s compelling and dynamic. I hate listening to a song that sounds like everything else. It’s obvious to me when an artist settles on a stale riff or chorus and releases a song just to get it out there quickly.
Do you have your audience in mind as you write?
LDP: Yes, and no. I try not to write based off of “hmm what will everyone enjoy listening to?” But it can be difficult not to. I obviously want our demographic to relate to what we write, but it’s important to not lose your sense of self.
NP: Yes. We want to reach those are are specifically BIPOC, queer, and women, because we understand most music in the “rock,” “punk,” and “metal” community isn’t majority that. Being a queer person of color, I want to show others like me that this is a safe space for them. I want to help reclaim the space that was once pioneered from the black punk and feminist counterculture. By any means I encourage everyone to listen to our music if it means something to them!
Do you theme and conceptualize projects beforehand or do you prefer spontaneous creation?
LDP: Like everything, it depends. In my opinion, It’s best to start out with a pretty loose plan of concept. It’s important to be open to change while you’re working on a project.
Are lyrics important to you? How do they relate to the music you make?
LDP: I may be biased by saying yes, Lol. I am aware that most people just vibe with the song in its entirety, and don’t explicitly always zero in on the meaning of each word. That’s why it’s important to focus not just on lyrics, but delivery and flow. Catch their attention with your intensity, and then it will make them curious to find out what the lyrics are.
NP: Yes and no. Lyrics are a cool way to emote a feeling that people can relate to. Especially as a musician, I look at it from a different perspective than when I was just an avid listener. I want the lyrics to mean something. However, the most important thing to me is how the song makes me FEEL. To be honest, I can’t tell you half the lyrics to my favorite songs, and it turns out I sing them wrong most of the time. The emotion of the instruments and how the vocalist sings the melodies is more important than the words for me in the long run.
Are genre concepts meaningful to you?
NP: I think genre concepts are important to a certain extent because it classifies what a musician is all about. The Riot grrrl genre is integral to the punk scene because of its feminist approach. Same thing with hardcore and punk, most of these bands that fall in these types of genres have a moral code they tend to follow. However, so many artists fuse elements of different genres so who's to say who is what. When it comes to labeling Babe Haven, I don’t care what people want to call us. It doesn’t matter THAT much at the end of the day, as long as people rock with it.
Whose musical career serves as a model or touchstone for your work?
LDP: Marisa Dabice (Mannequin Pussy), Kathleen Hanna (Le Tigre, Bikini Kill, etc.), Morgan Lander (Kittie), Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Donita Sparks (L7), Serj Tankian (SOAD), Kurt Cobain.
NP: I admire a plethora of artists, so I can’t pinpoint every musician that has made an impact in my career, but I will say as a teenager, women (specifically queer women) in heavy music paved the way for me to want to be a musician in the male dominated field. I have mad respect for artists that not only make good music but who use their platform for advocacy such as System of a Down, Bikini Kill, Nirvana, Crass, L7, and Mannequin Pussy.
What do you think of the contemporary state of music in NC and in general? Moving forward, stuck, or declining?
NP: I think music in NC is always moving forward. It’s never really been stagnant, it’s constantly flourishing with acts and it’s especially really cool when you watch some of these local musicians blow up. NC is super creative and I think with the way our chaotic world is right now, expressing yourself is the best way to bring the community together.
Hopes and schemes for 2025 and beyond?
LDP: To reach more like-minded people, by touring, getting our songs out there, or whatever. Connecting with other artists and reaching more fans who are looking for our kind of music. I’d love to tour overseas at some point, and keep writing new songs. Maybe get in a fist fight with a man during a song on stage.
NP: I hope to continue to keep performing around the country and spreading Babe Haven’s presence as much as we can. As a DIY band with no label and no desire to have one, it takes a lot of work to build an authentic fanbase and I think we’re doing a great job of that. I hope people can identify with our sound and what we stand for!