Haim: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

June 17, 2020 | Cyrena Touros -- Strung aloft the breezy sax melody of "Summer Girl" is the reminder that California is a state of mind. At least it was at one point. For Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, California is also a more permanent state of residence these days. All three sisters are back home in Los Angeles while self-quarantining, where each recorded their part for HAIM's Tiny Desk (home) concert in their separate Silver Lake residences.

But California is also a sound HAIM brings wherever it goes, even as the band explores new terrain on its cheekily titled upcoming album, Women in Music Pt. III. The sunny, take-no-prisoners assertion of independence of "The Steps" recalls the soft rock jams of 2013's Days Are Gone and 2017's Something to Tell You, but the muted techno glimmer of "I Know Alone" is new, as is the moodiness of "Summer Girl," a song that wavers like a heat mirage reflected off New York's summer sidewalks, thanks to Henry Solomon's whisper-toned sax.

HAIM recorded its Tiny Desk set before the death of George Floyd, and released "Summer Girl" last year. The world has changed a lot in that time. With its opening line — "LA on my mind, I can't breathe" — "Summer Girl" becomes another piece of music that takes on a parallel meaning in the evolving social and political landscape of 2020.

SET LIST
"The Steps"
"I Know Alone"
"Summer Girl"

MUSICIANS
Este Haim: bass, keyboard, drum pad, vocals; Danielle Haim: guitar, vocals; Alana Haim: guitar, vocals, bongos; Henry Solomon: saxophone

CREDITS
Artist Video Producer: Ariel Rechtshaid; Producers: Bob Boilen; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[mogueymo]

somehow i’m surprised they don’t live together even though logically i know that makes sense

[mogueymo]

that bass in summer girl hits every time

[skaklaalwkskli]

i would like an actual tiny desk performance once quarantine is over

[annies]

Danielle smiling when she sings “everyday I wake up and I make money for myself” is everything I needed

[jacksoukup]

I have 2 little girls and listening to this band is the only time I've thought maybe having 3 would be a good idea.

[TheoRose]

the musical talent of HAIM truly shines in stripped back sets like this

[robertJ]

Danielle's voice is what makes this band. It just conveys complex mature emotions in a sexy way

[wahfesmitchell]

I get why people like them now. They make “I texted all of my friends plans for tonight, only two responded” music.

[lacquerware]

Look I've been stanning this band for seven years and this is the best I've ever heard them sound live tbh.

[thesethirties]

Does anyone else feel like the album actually is coming in at the best time?I’ll be listening to this all summer! Out for drive, working in the garden, kiddie pool side (unless you have a real pool lucky!) literally perfect for summer

[yeknommonkey]

This is what talent sounds like. So recognisably Haim, yet fresh every time. What a treat.

[julia-tqsj]

im so impressed by alana being able to pick out that melody while singing like thats so impressive to me

[ImBatman]

How they can manage to make “I know alone” sound better than the track from the comfort of home proves how amazing they are !

[NeilYockey]

I've recently gotten into Haim. I'm sure I'm not the first to point out that 'Summer Girl' sounds like an homage to "Walk on the Wild Side." I love this whole performance.

[greatsajby]

Love the sprinkling of Joni Mitchell allusions in the lyrics. Haim is the best thing to happen to mainstream music since I don't even know.

[enrique]

They sound great live . Danielle's voice sounds so great in live performances.

[holadios]

I never wanted this to end 😔 This latest album is a masterpiece and I love hearing bits of Rostam's signature on this as well. The Haim gals never disappoint

[PentameronSV]

0:02 - *The Steps* (3:59)
4:33 - *I Know Alone* (7:49)
8:25 - *Summer Girl* (12:10)

[MeliYT]

The amount of musical instrument mastery is pretty mind blowing. Their sound and vibe truly felt like we were at their rehearsal in an intimate concert venue. Amazing!

[shivaninaidoo]

I'd love to see a behind the scenes of how they set this entire thing up, like the logistics of the whole thing.