Chatting with the bands Scarhaven and COILER

Interview

September 11, 2025 Hattan Savage Interviews, USA
Scarhaven. Photo by Sam Aldrich.

By Hattan Savage, Rock At Night Nashville

Interview at The End in Nashville – September 4, 2025

I showed up to The End on Thursday just before final soundchecks for the Riser House Rock showcase, featuring debut signees Scarhaven and COILER. I was introduced to the guys on the lineup — Scarhaven’s Michael Saint (vocals), Jared Edson (bass), Matt Kilroy (guitar), Michael “Shap” Shapira (drums), and COILER’s mastermind, Ike Davis. Unfortunately, I arrived too late to witness Ike’s pre-show meal: two bowls of refried beans.

Scarhaven. Photo by Sam Aldrich

Scarhaven

D.C.-based Scarhaven officially formed in early 2025, though all four members had played in other bands before, sometimes even sharing the stage with each other. (Fun fact: Jared and I shared a stage a few times during the summer of ’24.) The band’s name reflects the type of community they hope to create: a place for healing through music. In other words, a scar haven. We talked about their future goals, including being the opening slot on a larger tour, releasing more music, and playing lots of shows, ranging from intimate venues like The End to guitarist Matt’s dream venue: Madison Square Garden.

In a band of four, there are countless influences from different genres and eras that shape their sound. I got a rapid-fire list that spanned Black Sabbath, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Incubus, Deftones, Rage Against The Machine, Coldplay, U2, and Radiohead. Shap highlighted Matt Cameron, Sean Kinney, and Tony Williams as key inspirations for his drumming style. Jared cited Katy Perry as inspiration for great songwriting. I agreed.

When it comes to writing, Scarhaven has a couple methods. Oftentimes, one member will bring an unfinished idea to the table, and the whole band works it into a finished song. Other times, an idea will come up in a jam and they’ll run with it. Matt particularly enjoys the process of finishing songs — if you need a verse for your chorus or a bridge that flows, he’s your guy. You can hear their songwriting in action by listening to their debut single, “Changing” (released this August with a music video). Shot in sepia and black & white with quick cuts between the two, the video feels straight out of the ‘90s / ‘00s. These guys aren’t just reviving the sound of grunge — they’re embracing the look that comes with it.

I wrapped up Scarhaven’s interview with one final question: ‘Who is your dream audience member, dead or alive?’ Their answers reflected the variety of their influences: Matt chose Ozzy Osbourne, Michael went with John Lennon, Jared picked Dave Grohl, and Shap named Baby Dodds.

Scarhaven made a point to thank the people who have helped them so far: Riser House Rock, Matthew Leone, Jason Martin, Jennifer Johnson, Matt Swanson, Jim Kaufman, and many more.

COILER. Photo by Sam Aldrich

COILER

Growing up in small-town Indiana, Ike Davis wasn’t a big concertgoer. In fact, the first concert he ever attended was a Black Pistol Fire (BPF) show just three years ago. After he and his brother, Jack, were pulled onstage to play a song with BPF, Ike knew this was his calling. A self-proclaimed homebody, Ike shared: “One of the least comfortable places for me to be is in the audience at a live show, surrounded by a whole bunch of people. But where I feel most comfortable is on a stage, about 3 feet away from my least favorite place.”

COILER is a relatively new project, formed about a year ago. Working with producer Jim Kaufman, they already have three singles out and an LA-tracked LP set to release in mid 2026. During our interview, Ike and I dove into the idea of doing more with less. As a duo, COILER is more than capable of filling a room with just two musicians on stage. Ike notes influences like Black Pistol Fire, The Black Keys, and The White Stripes / Jack White. Like most Jack White fans in Nashville, Ike found himself at Third Man Records, leaving with a new capo and pedal.

I knew I had to ask Ike who his dream audience member would be, dead or alive, and his answer was simple: “Anyone who is there and loves the music.” With responses like that, I don’t think Riser House Rock will have to spend much time on media training for Ike. COILER’s story is only starting to unfold, and with the support of Riser House Rock, Jason Martin, Jennifer Johnson, Ike’s parents, and many others, their climb shows no signs of slowing down.

So, reader, consider yourself lucky: it’s still early enough to call yourself an original fan of Scarhaven and COILER, the first signees of Riser House Rock.

Hattan Savage
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