Anyone who thought Haim had said their piece on the music business with their 2020 album Women In Music Pt. III is in for a shock.
“This industry is not for the weak,” guitarist, keyboardist and singer Alana Haim told Music Week in our brand new cover feature, “and you can’t really trust a lot of people, but you can find your gems.”
Haim, completed by singer, guitarist and drummer Danielle and bassist Este, have done just that ahead of I Quit, their upcoming fourth album which Ben Mortimer, president of Polydor Label Group, gave high praise in our story.
“The record was all produced by Danielle, alongside the incredible Rostam [Batmanglij],” he said. “It’s a very easy and natural partnership and they really went deep on the process. There’s a rockier feel throughout, and as Rostam posted on his Instagram, ‘if you’re a longtime Haim fan, you’re going to find a lot of surprises. Good surprises.’ I think that sums it up well.”
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.
“The only advice is to find the people that really believe in you, because it’s really hard,” Alana said. “And once you find those people, hold on to them for dear life, because it gets really confusing. We’re lucky that finally we’ve found our people that believe in us more than anyone ever has in the past. It’s amazing how your emotions change when someone actually says, ‘You’re doing great,’ as opposed to the opposite.”
The band told us that the biggest thing at their disposal when it comes to navigating the industry is their sisterhood.
“We’ve been so lucky to have each other, because it’s not a secret, this industry is tough,” Alana pointed out. “There’s a lot of people that have a lot of strong opinions that try to pipe in when, you know, we don’t need it. There are times when other people’s opinions make you feel like you need to doubt what your vision is and we’re lucky that, at any point in time, one of us is steering the ship.”
“Early on, there were things where people could try and make you feel like if you didn’t do a certain thing then your career would suffer,” added Danielle. “But if it’s not truly aligned with our artistry, it’s an absolute no, and we’re three people that can just [say that].”
Haim also have a message for anyone who has ever doubted what they do.
“We’ve been playing music since we were children, so when people try to decipher if we can actually play or not, I don’t know how much more we can do,” Alana said. “We’re musicians, we take our live show so extremely seriously and we leave everything on the stage, because that’s where our happy place is: we’re a live band. So when someone says, ‘They’re not actually playing,’ I’m like, ‘Errr, come on the bus, guys, come be with us, and you can see us play…’”
That defiance characterises I Quit, which is released June 20.
“[Making the record] felt like, ‘I’m doing me and I’m just not gonna let other people dictate how I live my life,’” Danielle said.
“Quitting is a new beginning and quitting things that don’t serve you any more is a good thing,” noted Alana, reflecting on the title, which comes from a line in ’90s movie That Thing You Do. “It’s funny, the other day someone gave me a copy of our last album, and I love it so much, but I just felt like that chapter of my life was done. Then, we got the first pressing of I Quit and it felt so extremely exciting. It really does feel like a new chapter has begun.”
Haim were signed in the UK – as Ben Mortimer’s first signing for Polydor, back in 2012 – and the trio paid tribute to the British business.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to have the love of the UK,” said Este.
“We’re obsessed with all British music and rock’n’roll… seeing Kate Moss with Pete Doherty, there was such a moment in the early 2000s where it just felt like the UK was the only place to be,” Danielle added. “Every time we go over to you guys, the shows are electric, there’s just nothing like it in the States... Sorry!”
Haim have started their live comeback, too, sharing the bill at Primavera with Sabrina Carpenter, who they recently joined on the books at Volara Management, Charli XCX and more.
Haim are working with Terrence O’Connor, who worked on Brat, a campaign that they haven’t been able to get enough of.
“We’ve known Charli since True Romance came out, so it’s amazing to see the world catch up, we’re just so in awe of her,” said Danielle. “[The campaign] is genius, the world building, all of it. That whole thing was about just fucking having a good time, and I fucking ride for that so hard.”
“Charli has been doing this for so long and is such an amazing songwriter and seeing her tour and seeing her on stage [is incredible],” said Alana. “Seeing all of these women on stage is… that’s all we care about, we just all want to play.”
Haim also reflected on their experience playing with Taylor Swift.
“Even when we weren’t opening up for her, we basically followed her tour and just saw as many shows as we could because she’s just incredible,” said Danielle. “The love in the crowd is something that I had never experienced before, that many people just being so excited. The way that she performs is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s so inspiring, I don’t know how she does it.”
Looking ahead to I Quit, Haim said the album represents the fullest realisation of their vision yet.
“It was a real push and pull of being loose, but also serious,” Danielle said.
“We’ve learned so much about being in the studio,” Alana added. “Seeing Danielle [during recording] was like watching a ballet.”
You can read the full Haim interview in the July edition of Music Week, out now. Subscribers can read it online here.
PHOTO: Elise Schatz
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