Surf Haven at Low Dive
Written by cupor1 on April 2, 2025
By: Genevieve Fara
Photography by Maddie Paduano (@mpaduanophoto)
“This is amazing—who are these boys? They ROCK!”
That’s what the 50-year-old moms next to me shouted mid-set at Low Dive in Asbury Park. They had never heard of Surf Haven before, but by the end of the night, she was dancing like she’d known them for years. Honestly?
That’s the Surf Haven effect.
Surf Haven performs a mix of indie pop and surf rock love songs straight from the Jersey Shore—sun-drenched and heartfelt. On Friday night, they brought that same energy to a packed Low Dive, transforming the small venue into a blur of movement, melody, and crowd-shared lyrics.
A few hours before the show, I met with the band. Low Dive was still quiet—calm before the storm. When I asked the band where their favorite spot was to play, I was pleasantly surprised they named the venue we were sitting in.
Chase Garrett added “It’s smaller than some of the spots we’ve played, but it’s always friends, family—all your people. That makes for the best show.”
Lead Singer Dylan Skorge nodded,
“It’s always a party when we’re here. All the homies pull up.”
And that’s exactly how it felt. Between the sweat, the shouting, the laughter, and the lights, Surf Haven transformed Low Dive into a hometown living room show—with better speakers.
The second they started to play their popular song “July,” the energy spiked. Everyone was already shouting it back.
“Every time we play that song, it’s the one where we really hear people singing it back,” Chase said. “That just sticks with me. It kind of holds a place in my soul.”
Drummer Liam Mackle added,
“We wrote that one together. It just clicked.”
They followed “July” with tracks like “Pressure,” “Car Crash,” “Surf Spliff,” and “8Ball,” keeping the crowd fully locked in from one song to the next.
Surf Haven’s performance felt like it never stopped. Song after song, they kept the audience engaged—some dancing, some yelling every word, and others simply nodding along, as if they didn’t want to miss a beat. The band did not require a light show or dramatic buildups. The energy was already there—built on genuine chemistry, familiar faces, and songs that mean something to people.
“It always starts with me and Liam,” Dylan said when I asked about their songwriting process.
“I’ll come up with something in my room, send a video, and then we meet up. It’s always a group thing once it starts rolling.”
The level of connection is evident. You can hear it in the way their set is—nothing forced, nothing overthought. The lyrics focus on heartbreak, surfing, and the typical “girl stuff,” but with a sharpness that cuts through the noise.
Their sound is clean, catchy, and passionate. Loud but laid-back. And in a location like Low Dive, that balance filled the entire room.
Their set flowed naturally. No awkward stage banter, no overly rehearsed transitions—just momentum. Whether people were singing with their heads back or simply vibing in the corner, the band had them covered. Start to finish.
When I asked who they’d love to share a stage with, the answers came fast:
Dylan: “Allman Brothers… Maybe Bob Marley?”
Jeff and Chase: “Any Australian indie band. That’s all our inspiration. Like, those guys are just built different.”
Liam: “Add Dice. And Hockey Dad. We actually got to play with them at Wonder Bar—and yeah, dreams come true.”
Even their surf spots came with character. Dylan repped Casino Pier. Chase was split:
“With The Cove in Cape May or IBSP” he said “it depends on the mood.”
And when it comes to lyrics? Dylan didn’t hesitate,
“Sounding good first. The music comes first. Then the lyrics. Girls. So many girls.”
They answer questions exactly as they play—no filters. Just real.
And that’s what sets Surf Haven apart. They’re not chasing trends—they know exactly who they are and who they are doing it with. Their songs are the kind you throw on during a long drive and still find yourself humming days later. That energy hits even harder when you see them live.
If you went to Low Dive, you didn’t just see a show— you saw something bigger.
Still not sure if Surf Haven is for you?
Simply ask the 50-year-olds I was dancing with. They’ll tell you—
these boys rock. And Surf Haven is for everyone.
Surfhaven is hitting the road this spring with stops in New Jersey and Philly—sharing the stage with bands like Sawyer Hill, Pretty Jane, and Flight by Nothing. Catch them live: \
3.29 – Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ)
4.27 – House of Independents w/ Sawyer Hill (Asbury Park, NJ)
5.28 – World Cafe Live w/ Pretty Jane, West 22nd, WNOHA (Philadelphia, PA)
6.13 – House of Independents w/ Flight by Nothing (Asbury Park, NJ)
Ticket links are in their bio on instagram @surfhavenband
