First, let’s get this out of the way right now — say the word “oat” and follow it with “tension.” That’s how you pronounce the South Miami-based rock band’s name, which translates to “high voltage” en Francais.
“We wanted a name that represented our sound,” says Alexandre Merbouti, Haute Tension’s baritone lead singer. Of Algerian and African-American descent, Merbouti spent his childhood in France and grew up with an affinity for Soul and Middle Eastern music, which greatly informs the way in which he approaches writing music and lyrics for Haute Tension. The self-described “surf noir” band originally went by the alluring name of ‘Mo Booty’ when its members consisted of just Merbouti and bassist Monica McGivern from 2017 to 2018. The duo met through their respective involvements in the budding Miami art scene and performed at several local hotspots, including various appearances at the annual III Points music festival in Wynwood.
They grew to become Haute Tension upon the addition of drummer Nabedi Osorio, a Miami native, and an underground veteran. Being of Mexican and Afro-Cuban heritage, Osorio had an early familiarity with Cuban jazz, which helps her bring out strong melodies in her drumming style. Also serving as a writer and singer, Osorio occasionally provides lyrics and backing vocals, and she is always eager to offer her unique Miami perspective. “I like to write through emotion, I feel extremely intense, whatever is happening in the current moment,” Osorio explains.
Since becoming HT during the summer of 2018, the trio has made a series of high-profile performances, such as Village of Love for planned parenthood and their ambitious 31-day tour. That pilgrimage consisted of 34 performances throughout the month of August and capped on the 31st at Sweat Records, cementing the release of their self-titled debut album on August 31, 2018.
Their final prominent appearance pre-COVID-19, however, happened to be their biggest opportunity yet. The trio put on an unforgettable showing at this past Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in March, and the three fondly recall being golf carted behind the stage minutes before they were due to perform. Osorio describes the merging of her bandmates’ respective styles and influences coming together to make HT’s sound as “small stews coming together to make a bigger stew with lots of rich flavors and textures.” The analogy certainly works — HT is as heterogeneous as a band can be.
“We’re not just a punk band,” Merbouti insists, though he need not go out of his way to convince those who have listened to Haute Tension’s work.
Coming out of Miami’s alternative scene, HT sounds wholly unlike their peers in both the surf and hard rock pockets of the ever-growing community. Instead, their grimy, tropical sound reaches across almost every sector of pre-COVID Miami nightlife. “Our fans are curious about creating an intentional space of community,” McGivern explains. “Even if they don’t know it, it allows them to recognize something they’re interested in.”
Haute Tension at iii Points Haute Tension by Edgar Garcia (2019). 
Haute Tension Drummer Nabedi by Peter Vahan (July 2020). 
Haute Tension at iii Points Haute Tension by Edgar Garcia (2019).
With their multi-cultural perspectives and unrivaled sonic textures, it makes sense that HT heavily prioritizes inclusivity and togetherness. It’s expressed through their sound, but also their public presence within the greater Miami community. Quick to answer “yes” when asked if they identify as feminists, the band has worked repeatedly with the Miami Girls Rock Camp initiative that coaches and mentors young female musicians and aims to empower female youth — both objectives that Osorio and McGivern consistently push as women in the industry.
Despite the vast range of influences heard throughout their sound, Haute Tension operates on a pure punk ethos when it comes to their moral obligations. They were scheduled to play a virtual set for an online festival out of New York this past summer, but when the organizers were publicly blasted for allegations of sexual misconduct, HT immediately pulled themselves from the lineup, long before the event was officially canceled. The news came just days after Burger Records, a prominent indie label in Fullerton, California, faced a series of allegations against everyone from executives to musicians under contract. It was a heavy week for women in the indie scene at large, but unfortunately, not an uncommon occurrence. “It left us wondering how we can make our spaces safer and ultimately hold men accountable,” Merbouti adds.
I feel empowered by the chaos.
Monica McGivern
Being politically minded is another punk sensibility that they heavily abide by, as evidenced by the lyrical content on their 2018 self-titled LP, but as Merbouti insists, those sentiments may hold more weight two years later in 2020’s unprecedented landscape. In this COVID era, musicians are consistently challenged to engage with fans while finding new ways to sustain themselves financially, and Haute Tension is highly aware of this. They frequently live-stream casual performances on Instagram live, and their jam sessions are single-handedly dope enough to warrant a quick follow.
“Really, we’re just grateful for the fact that we’re able to play together still,” Osorio explained. “The ‘shows’ are a reminder that we are in this together. It’s okay to dance, encourage laughter, and care through the love of music.”
McGivern echos that sentiment with one last dose of punk attitude, declaring, “I feel empowered by the chaos.”
Follow Haute Tension on social @hautetensionband.
Haute Tension at iii Points Haute Tension by Edgar Garcia (2019). 
Haute Tension Drummer Nabedi by Peter Vahan (July 2020). 
Haute Tension Guitarist Alexandre by Peter Vahan (July 2020).
