Rock N’ Roll Highschool: Whitehaven Discusses Authenticity in Music and More
Interview ★ Annsley Jennings ★ @annsleymedia ★ 8 Minute Read
Within the sea of rising bands that make up the flourishing Houston rock scene resides Whitehaven: a group of highschoolers from Katy, Texas, aiming for verity and originality. Composed of newest member and lead vocalist Rinnie, bassist and founding member Santiago, drummer Lucas, rhythm guitarist Melanie, and lead guitarist Abraham, the group recently sat down with me to answer some heavy hitting questions just before they took the stage at Katy Kickoff for their Summerween 2025 event.
Rinnie (left) and Abraham (right) shot at Katy Kickoff via Annsley Jennings
What is the origin behind the band’s name, Whitehaven?
Santiago: It’d be nice to give a complex or meaningful answer but it’s as simple as when I moved into a new house in 4th grade, my street name was Whitehaven Bluff Trail . I was like dang, Whitehaven sounds cool! So, I decided I was gonna have a band one day and it was gonna be called Whitehaven.
All: and you did!
What genre or genres of music does Whitehaven fall under?
Lucas: We have a lot of different backgrounds: an r&b type singer, a grunge-ish rhythm guitarist, a classic lead, a metal drummer, a jazz bassist. It’s kind of hard to say. I think the best blanket term would be to say that we’re an alternative band.
Who are some the the band’s influences?
Melanie: The biggest influence on our sound is Nirvana and Foo Fighters.
Lucas: My biggest influences are Joey Jordison, Buddy Rich, and many nameless locals within the Houston scene. Nu Metal in general is also something I take alot of inspiration from.
Abraham: Any band that Jack White is in. Doesn’t matter which one. And more recently, Queens of the Stone Age.
Santiago: My bass GOATS are Jaco Pastorius with Victor Wooten in second place. Both great jazz players. In terms of bands, I’d say Foo Fighters. I’ve been listening to them since I was in the womb.
Rinnie: Singing wise, I take inspiration from Amy Lee and as for writing, I take inspiration from bands like Pierce the Veil.
What inspired you to pursue music?
Melanie: I always thought that playing an instrument makes you cool. I just like how it’s so versatile. You pick up an instrument ,you play, and it’s your creation that you made. My grandpa, too. My family doesn’t really have many musicians but he played guitar and he’d play Beatles songs for me when I was little. I just thought it was so cool.
Lucas: I’m a very “throw it at the wall and see what sticks” type of person and for me, music is what stuck. I think it’s beautiful that you can bring your ideas and thoughts to fruition through a creative outlet like music.
Abraham: Essentially, I was gaslit into learning an instrument at a young age. My dad used to hype me up and tell me I was such a great guitarist when I was younger and in hindsight, that’s probably not true but then something eventually clicked and I was like wait a minute! I fell into his trap! I’d be playing White Stripes songs in my room and eventually, I wanted to play with more people.
Santiago: My dad. We were raised on rock and before I became a musician, my dad was one in Columbia. He had his own band and he travelled around the country playing music. Although I’m a bassist and he was a guitarist, he’s always supported me because of his love for music. I actually use some of his old gear.
Rinnie: It first started when I was really young. Karaoke is a big thing in Filipino culture and I’d sing at all of my family events to the point where people would be like ‘Rinnie can you sing this?’ or ‘Ooh Rinnie, sing this one for us’. So, singing and performing from a young age turned into me growing an interest in singing with other people for crowds that weren’t just my family members.
What is your creative process like?
Melanie: I wouldn’t say we really have one. Someone usually brings a song or an idea for one to the table and everyone will add on their little touch to it. Like for example, we just made a new song called Envy. Abe wrote it but we all added our own piece to it to make it Whitehaven’s.
Rinnie: Our first release, Point of View, originally wasn’t very theatrical like it is now. The guitar solo and my scream wasn’t written in and it was initially acoustic. Then, Abe joined the band and helped to make it electric and I came in, rewrote the song, added the scream, and that’s what we have now. We’re all able to talk and add in things quite well without stepping over one another.
How would you describe your relationship with music?
Rinnie: I’ve always admired music and people who create and perform for these huge stadiums. It does get discouraging sometimes but playing shows and seeing how others perform and view music really helps you understand the love and importance of it in the world. It brings people together and it’s its own language. It’s beautiful.
Lucas: Music for me has always been experimental and intimate. It’s like taking care of your own flesh and blood, your own creation. Every step of the process enamors me: the production, the writing, the performance. Everything. It’s been overwhelmingly a positive experience all-around.
Santiago: Music is everything to me. People know me for my music. It’s always been a giant part of my life. I don’t know what I would do without music, I’d be nothing without it.
What was it like to play live as a band for the first time?
Lucas: So, fun fact: the band actually got together for a school talent show. We played Say It Ain’t So by Weezer. Our first ‘venue’ was our middle school. It was me, Melanie, Santiago, and our old singer. Abe and Rinnie weren’t in the band yet. We were really nervous to play in front of all those people but you come to learn that it’s really fun and an awesome experience.
Melanie: I remember getting off and going ‘wow, we did amazing’ then thinking the same thing after watching the video footage. But looking back at it now, I’m like ‘wow, we were awful and so off time’. I think one of the best parts of being a band is learning and growing together as artists in an environment that’s not defensive or super hostile.
Santiago: I was so nervous. I’d played bass in public before so I kind of knew what to expect but the whole rock setting was very new. We played that Weezer song and then About a Girl and Walk Like an Egyptian and it went by so fast. I had fun, though, and it was really rewarding. It was so cool being cheered on by a gym full of friends and classmates.
Rinnie: Personally, the first few times performing with Whitehaven were really nerve wracking. I was so scared that I’d get off stage and go throw up right after because of the nerves. Thankfully, that’s in the past. My first show with the band was daunting but the crowds and this scene are very welcoming and now, I just view playing shows as second nature.
What do you guys do outside of music?
Melanie: I really love photography. I’m big into my school’s photojournalism program. I like baking, too. I make pretty good cookies.
Lucas: I’m very academic. Like studying aerospace, astronomy, math. I genuinely enjoy learning. If music doesn’t work out, I plan on becoming an educator.
Abraham: I’m the biggest loser here. Music is everything. I either play music or build instruments. My life revolves around it.
Santiago: Not gonna lie, my hobbies are just music and music related things, too. I mean, I like to run I guess. I’m an English nerd, too. I like to write.
Rinnie: Outside of the band, I love to dance and I find a hobby in acting. I have a lot of theater friends that I love running lines with.
What do you hope listeners take from your music?
Melanie: I just want people to know that we’re original and authentic. Everything we have is from us. We rarely ask our parents for help so if we can get it ourselves, we do it. We don’t like asking for help because at the end of the day, it’s our choice to be a band and nobody else’s. Everything we’ve worked for is because of the time and effort we put in.
Lucas: Passion. I want people to see that we enjoy what we do because there’s tone of soulless music out there. I want them to feel the heart.
Santiago: Rock isn’t dead and it’s not dying anytime soon. I’ve seen a lot of younger bands start to blow up and it gives me and others in the scene hope. I hope people listen to more local music and start believing in young musicians again.
Are there any plans for new music/other projects?
Santiago: We’re always working on new music. Recording wise, we hope to drop a single sometime at the end of the year. We’ve been working hard and working with a great mixer, Carlos Yelamo. If we get lucky, you could be seeing a full Whitehaven album in 2026.
What’s advice that’s been given to you that has always stuck?
Rinnie: Do it from the heart and if you have talent, show it and be original. Don’t be a follower.
Lucas: Never surrender your dreams. You’re in full control of them and letting someone else talk you out of them is a waste.
Santiago: If you’re gonna do something, do it well and don’t half-ass it.
Melanie: Don’t be afraid to do things your own way and don’t be afraid to showcase your talents in any way, shape, or form.
What would you like to say to your fans?
Lucas: We do it for you! At the end of the day, a band is nothing without its people. Our fans are more than just people, they’re part of the ‘Whitehaven Family’.
Abraham: Enjoy the bumpy ride with us. We’ll make it to stadiums eventually.
All: It’s only a matter of time!
