A Dirty Dozen with MICHAEL SAINT from SCARHAVEN – October 2026

According to a recent press release: “SCARHAVEN — a four-piece grunge revival band originally from Washington, DC but who now call NYC home — just dropped the video for new single “CLOUDS.” With its sludgy grooves, anguished vocals, and claustrophobic atmosphere, it feels like a darker, more personal take on ’90s grunge — equal parts Alice in Chains sludge and Soundgarden menace. A raw anthem for anyone who’s carried a dying relationship far longer than they should have. Live, they’re chaos — fury smashing into fragile quiet. Scarhaven — frontman Michael Saint, bassist Jared Edson, guitarist Matt Kilroy, and drummer Shap Shapira — are a middle finger to the polish and pretense of the modern era.” We get singer Michael to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our second single off our second EP called Clouds is musically a pretty simple song. When I say simple, I just mean less riffy and just more of a standard approach to writing a song, which came to us pretty quickly. Lyrically though, I pulled from an experience a friend was going through. The song is essentially about a relationship being masked by smoking weed and creating a sort of rose colored lenses effect, but when all that goes away, they end up seeing each other’s true colors. No hidden nuggets haha.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Since I can remember, music was always around me. Whatever was playing on the radio or what my mom was listening to. I grew up listening to a lot of what she liked, and that was a lot of 70’s R&B, Motown, funk, and soul. Some classic rock as well. I then dove into my own lane with artists that I liked, and that was a lot of early 90’s and early 2000’s alternative bands and artists. I never in my life would have thought I’d be a musician. I got into that career almost by accident. I originally was wanting to become an actor. However, I’ve always had a strong desire to create art, whether that was storytelling, filming, painting, or writing, but I fell into becoming a musician when COVID struck the world and we were all forced to be in quarantine. That’s when I taught myself guitar for the fun of it and decided to do karaoke for fun in my car. That’s when it started to click and I fell in love with the guitar and creating melodies. Not to mention I have synesthesia, so I always thought maybe something was wrong with me regarding sounds and music.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Coldplay’s first 4 albums made a huge impact on me which then led me to Radiohead, Travis, Oasis, Jeff Buckley, I really like that alternative sound from that time period. I was super late to the rock and metal genre.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Chris Martin or Jeff Buckley. I think they are melodic geniuses and super creative with a ton of depth.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I really enjoy spending time outside, going on hikes with music in my ears. I love writing too. It’s a healthy addiction. I also enjoy working outside. I’m pretty minimal when it comes to workouts; I don’t like gyms. Cooking is also fun for me too, and spending time with friends and family.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d say we are a rock band with some heavy riffs and real lyrics but that also has a significant softer side and melodic forward feel. Nothing comes to mind that makes me cringe or I disagree with to be honest.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We all share those qualities haha just being honest, it’s always a good time.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I can’t say that I’ve ever been star struck to be quite honest, we are all human beings at the end of the day and all equal.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I’d say making music and writing lyrics it’s pretty simple because it’s just creating. I guess if I wasn’t a musician I’d wanna be a filmmaker / actor.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

That’s tough. I’m always down for a good conversation about anything really. To be honest none of them because the person is taking their time to ask me about myself and my art. So I take pleasure in talking with anyone regardless if they are asking the same questions.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t think so because I believe everything happens for a reason in our lives so try not to look at the rear view mirror too much.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d say Coldplay’s first album Parachutes or the soundtrack behind 1978’s Superman by John Williams. The Coldplay record was the first band I discovered on my own that really pulled my ear towards the importance of melody and movement within a song. The score is just so beautifully written and so emotionally impactful. It’s very grandiose.

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Category: Interviews