ARTIST INTERVIEW: Babehoven: Candles, Vans, and Water’s Here In You
Water’s Here In You - Babehoven
I joined Babehoven (Maya Bon and Ryan Albert) via phone and across time zones a few weeks ago; calling from Hudson, NY, their power had gone out a few minutes before our chat started. Maya and Ryan were smiling nonetheless…they were finding a surprising amount of joy in the consequences of winter-in-upstate-NY…their Zoom screen was lit by beautiful candlelight and they seemed to take it in stride. Over the course of our call, I learned that this air of peace is a constant in their lives and art. I got to talk to them about process and inspiration, and about what they’re looking forward to. Their forthcoming sophomore album, Water’s Here In You (coming April 26 via Double Double Whammy), is the elocution of an emotion that Maya articulated as being the sort of “coolness” that is a constant, “even in the most intense fiery burning moments.” Maya describes “water” as constantly present in our lives, a thing that connects us with ourselves and with other people.
The record really is the confluence of this sentiment’s softness and intensity. In addition to the four singles already released, the whole record builds on the sounds from their previous work: folky, supernal, and emotive. Still, the Babehoven sound has evolved since their debut album and preceding EPs.
Perhaps this is in part a natural progression, but it is more likely credited to the shift in process that Maya and Ryan took to writing this album. While in past projects Maya has written most of the songs and conceived much of the Babehoven project, the group’s sophomore album was more collaborative. Some songs were ideas that Maya brought to Ryan as in the past, but more of this record than ever were collaboratively written songs. With demoing starting in December 2022, the duo was listening to the bits and pieces of inspiration that one would leave for the other around their home. Water’s Here In You is intentional in thinking about closeness and distance, with tracks like “Chariot” pulling from Ryan’s college guitar riffs and “Millenia” using the far-south Millenia, Florida and the L.A. River as muse. Still, this is a record that sounds like the woods in upstate New York, across the country from me in L.A., the city where the duo first met. The sound resonates here all the same.
I also asked Maya and Ryan about their label, Double Double Whammy. They cited some of their artists-in-company as inspirations of them and spoke to the belonging they feel being able to “identify with a sound,” created by this community of artists. Truly independent, Maya said that DDW feels like a special “piece of history” in the indie scene.
With a beautiful record nearly a year and a half in the making, I was most excited to ask Maya and Ryan what they’re looking forward to. Their record will be released soon: April 26. It’s available for pre-order and pre-save. Other than that? Ryan expressed that he’s excited about summer, sitting in the yard, and drinking margaritas. Maya has recently started selling her ceramic creations, and the ice is melting. Oh—Babehoven is also going on a headline-tour for their record starting May 6 in Washington, D.C. They’re renting a van for the trek, and while Maya is a little nervous about inevitable van problems, Ryan assures her that it’s okay because they can have margaritas when they get to their destinations.
I really enjoyed talking to Maya and Ryan, and I have really enjoyed spinning Water’s Here In You. I’ll be seeing them at the Echo in L.A. with Stephen Steinbrink and gal pal on June 9, and I think you’d be lucky to see them too. Rock and peace simultaneously, Babehoven is a group to look out for.
Best Babehoven Live Show: Tahlia Hall in Chicago, IL
Maya’s Favorite Live Show: Ethan Azarian in Austin & all Skullcrusher - toured together <3
Ryan’s Favorite Live Show: Titus Andronicus (winter 2011) The Monitor
- DJ Palindromeda AKA Ava Kalenze