Artist Focus | Rin Haider, Finding Calm, Catharsis and Clarity Through Sound

There is a quiet confidence to Rin Haider’s music, a sense that it has been shaped not just by records and rehearsal rooms, but by place, reflection and resilience. Whether crafting the layered melancholy of indie folk under his solo project Wandering Nomad or carving immersive shoegaze textures as lead guitarist in Skeeve, Haider’s work carries the imprint of someone who has learned to slow down, listen closely and turn experience into atmosphere.

For much of his life, Derby was the centre of everything. Eighteen formative years in the city saw his musical journey begin, friendships form and bands take shape. It was in Derby that Skeeve was born, and where Haider met his bandmates, building the foundations of a project that would later take him to major stages, including Y Not Festival in 2024. Yet as time went on, something else began to take root. Alongside the energy of band life, Haider found himself drawn towards the idea of a quieter, more introspective solo project, something rooted in open space and storytelling rather than volume and velocity.

That shift became possible when he moved to Kirkby-in-Ashfield, a place that, for him, embodied everything folk music represents. Surrounded by fields and woodland, with space to walk and think, the move proved transformative. “Kirkby made me much calmer and centred rather than the hectic and scattered feelings I felt while being in Derby,” he explains. That sense of calm fed directly into his writing, refining his sound and giving him the energy to focus not only on Wandering Nomad, but on Skeeve too. The environment did not just inspire the music, it shaped it.

Wandering Nomad sits firmly in the indie folk tradition, drawing influence from artists such as Bon Iver, Elliott Smith and Elias Hix. Haider recalls being introduced to Bon Iver by Skeeve bandmate Tino, an experience that opened a new creative door. The layered production and emotive melodies of indie folk felt like “a little pocket for me to fit into and nestle in my own thoughts”. That sense of intimacy remains central to Wandering Nomad, a project Haider sees as a home for storytelling and exploration, with folk as its anchor but not its limit.

In contrast, his role in Skeeve demands something very different. As a shoegaze-inspired lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Haider’s playing is about texture, tension and emotional weight. Interestingly, it was not a role he initially envisioned for himself. When Tino invited him to join a new shoegaze band, Haider had little familiarity with the genre and had never aspired to be a lead guitarist. Yet something about the idea resonated deeply enough for him to take the leap. Immersing himself in the genre, he studied bands like Slowdive, LSD and the Search for God, and My Bloody Valentine, captivated by how “intrusive” and emotionally complex the music felt despite its technical simplicity. From that point on, his goal became clear: to create drawn-out phrases and memorable lead lines that linger long after the song ends.

One of the defining moments of Haider’s creative journey came during the writing of Skeeve’s track Cardinal. Despite having played high-profile gigs and festivals, this song stands apart for personal reasons. At the time, he was struggling with self-doubt, feeling that his creativity had become repetitive and fearing he had reached his peak while those around him continued to grow. Hearing the initial version of Cardinal changed everything. What followed was a breakthrough, a surge of ideas that resulted in what he describes as the sound he had always dreamt of, including a harmony guitar solo shared with Tino that pushed beyond shoegaze conventions. Cardinal marked the end of a creative rut and the beginning of a more adventurous phase, one driven by curiosity rather than comparison.

That openness has not come easily. The most challenging aspect of Haider’s journey has been navigating serious mental health struggles alongside the demands of making music. These challenges, rooted in a traumatic and abusive upbringing, have at times left him questioning his place in music altogether. There were moments when he came close to walking away, convinced he was not good enough to carry his own weight. What ultimately kept him going was the support of those around him. His sister and brother-in-law offered stability when he needed it most, while friends provided care, encouragement and practical support during periods of anxiety and depression. Their influence is deeply embedded in his work, a quiet testament to healing and growth. As Haider puts it, his music improves “the same way I do”.

Nature and everyday life continue to be central inspirations, both emotionally and philosophically. Haider sees the world as a living storyboard, one where moments and movements can be translated into sound. In Skeeve, this often manifests instrumentally, with lead guitar lines evoking natural forces or purposeful motion. In Wandering Nomad, it appears through narrative and simplicity, allowing space for listeners to bring their own experiences into the songs.

Over time, Haider’s approach has evolved from imitation to identity. In Skeeve, he has moved away from emulating shoegaze role models and towards carving out a sound that feels distinctly his own. With Wandering Nomad, evolution has meant embracing change, shifting from earlier slowcore and space rock experiments into folk, and allowing the project to remain fluid. New material, such as the forthcoming track Cures, signals a fresh direction while maintaining the core feel that defines the project.

Looking ahead, there is a sense of quiet momentum. Skeeve are currently taking a break, with plans to return refreshed in the new year alongside a new single. Wandering Nomad is equally active, with multiple songs in progress and a goal of releasing at least four tracks next year, as well as beginning to perform live to build a wider following. It is a measured approach, one that prioritises sustainability and growth over haste.

Ultimately, what Haider hopes listeners take from his work is simple but powerful. He wants people to feel inspired, to believe that creative ambition, in any form, is worth pursuing. That philosophy extends into the advice he offers other artists. “Don’t let fear or doubt stop what your heart yearns for,” he says. Whether it is picking up a guitar, stepping behind a microphone or trying something entirely new, the message is clear: start, commit and trust the process.

Rin Haider’s story is one of movement, from city to countryside, from doubt to direction, from noise to nuance. It is a reminder that music is not just shaped by sound, but by environment, community and the courage to keep going. As Wandering Nomad grows and Skeeve prepares its next chapter, his work stands as a compelling example of how authenticity, patience and resilience can find their voice.

You can follow Rin Haider and his projects on Instagram at @rin.haider, @Wandering_Nomad and @skeeve.

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