Shared DNA

In the latest episode of his Sirius XM series Don't Ask Me, I'm the Bass Player, Adam welcomes Este Haim, bassist for Haim, to talk about her seminal bass influences, the ups and downs of playing in a 'family band', and what it's like to be nominated for a Grammy. 

At the Grammy Awards this weekend, Haim are up for Best Rock Album for their fourth studio album 'I quit'. It's an historic achievement, as Haim are the first all-female band to receive the rock album nomination. 

'Amazing…hopefully you'll take that Grammy home', Adam told Este.

'I'm just happy to have a seat at the table', Este replied. 'I know that, like everyone says that, but it's honestly true. I am just stoked to be a part of the conversation.'

'It's great to be there and it's humbling to be recognized by your peers', Adam continued, 'The nomination is kind of amazing. And if you actually go on to collect that little gramophone, it's unbelievable.'

U2 and Haim 'share some DNA', Adam said, fondly recalling how Este and her sister-bandmates Danielle and Alana joined U2 at Malibu's Shangri-La studios back in 2016 for the recording of 'Lights of Home'.

'You all sang with us and we used a piece of your guitar and bass as a sample in that song, so I feel like we have had a conversation before', he said. 

Este said being in the studio with U2 is a 'core memory'.

'To come to Shangri-La and be with you guys…I'll start crying—It was such a magical, magical moment for me and my sisters', she said. 'My sisters and I still talk about it. It was such an insane thing to witness… just see you guys working together and how you write songs, and also how you guys record together and how electric it is.'

'We've certainly learned over the years that it takes a little bit of a certain kind of energy, and you have to be prepared to throw out a lot to get to the core', Adam said. 'You've got to listen to the music. You've got to follow it.… I don't think music ever lets me down. It's why the bass guitar never lets me down. Hits come and go, and lovers come and go…But the music stays consistent'.