Polydor Label Group president Ben Mortimer has described Haim as “a cultural force” ahead of the release of their fourth album I Quit, which is released this Friday (June 20).
Mortimer’s relationship with Haim is unique in that it goes right back to the start of his time at the major.
“I signed Este, Alana and Danielle back in 2012, as he first act I signed when I came to Polydor,” he told Music Week, in an interview for our Haim cover story. “And to still be working with them 13 years later is something I am personally very proud of.”
Mortimer said their long-lasting relationship is a marker of Polydor’s approach to artist development.
“One thing at Polydor, and it’s something I want to bring to Capitol and 0207 Def Jam too, is that focus on long careers,” he said. “You look at Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Fender, Haim – these are Polydor acts that continue to develop and evolve. We really stand for, and invest in, career longevity.”
Haim’s last album, Women In Music Pt III came out during the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed its release and impacted the band’s touring plans. Mortimer expressed high hopes for their return.
“I think they’re brilliantly equipped for this landscape,” he said. “They can tour now, which is great, as they are a formidable live band – always have been. I’m not sure that’s something that’s celebrated enough about them.”
The president noted that the trio “were very early and pioneering in their use of social media, which remains such a potent driver”.
Haim are an act that have a profound effect on culture
Ben Mortimer, Polydor Label Group
“They worked with digital strategist Terrence OConnor on the last album, and his profile has recently exploded with his work with Charli XCX,” Mortimer said. “ That partnership is continuing for this campaign to hilarious effect.”
Haim hit No.1 with their 2013 debut Days Are Gone (377,656 sales, according to the Official Charts Company) and repeated the feat with Women In Music Pt III (96,599). Their second record, Something To Tell You (91,842), peaked at No.2. Mortimer expects a big impact this time round.
“We’re always ambitious with everything we do,” he said. “But Haim are a career act, not one that should necessarily be defined by chart positions. They’re an act that have a profound effect on culture. How you measure that I don’t know, it’s more something you can feel. We’re lucky to get to work with such cultural forces.”
Mortimer also highlighted the successful run Polydor Label Group is on in 2025, with Haim set to join a number of big campaigns.
“We are having a truly phenomenal 2025 so far,” he said. “We’ve had the biggest global dance record of the year with Chrystal’s The Days, we’ve released a record-breaker of an album with Sam Fender’s People Watching, and a career best with Inhaler’s Open Wide.”
He also pointed to the major’s international impact, with a newly announced album from Sabrina Carpenter on the way.
“Doechii has been a huge breakthrough, plus Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams continue to dominate,” said Mortimer. “And with a release slate of Haim, Olivia Dean and Lana Del Rey, plus incredible momentum on Jazzy, Sammy Virji, Good Neighbours and LeoStayTrill, I’m buzzing about the future for the label group.”
Alongside Mortimer, the band were joined by CAA’s Mike Greek and Batmanglij, their longtime collaborator, for our cover story. Alana, Danielle and Este detail the making of the record and look back on their rollercoaster journey through the music industry, which has taken in two No.1 albums, festival headline sets and two stadium tours with Taylor Swift.
You can read the full Haim interview in the July edition of Music Week, out now. Subscribers can read it online here.
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