Ariel Rechtshaid Reveals He Was Battling Testicular Cancer While Recording HAIM's New Record
"Needless to say making this album was an emotional process for me, and all three sisters were amazing support"
Published Jul 07, 2017
Ariel Rechtshaid played a major role in the recording of HAIM's sophomore album Something to Tell You, and he's just made a very personal revelation of his own. In an Instagram post, the producer disclosed that he was battling testicular cancer during the making of the record."Just as we started, something crazy happened to me. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer," Rechtshaid revealed. "I never really paid attention to what that was... Had vague memories of Tom Greene doing an MTV special a long time ago & Lance Armstrong might've had it?"
He continued, "Turns out it's a young man's cancer & I thought I was gonna die. Didn't know if it had spread. Luckily I caught it early, had a surgery & cont. to keep a close eye."
Understandably, he admitted that the process of recording Something to Tell You was an "emotional" one, and sent a message of gratitude to Danielle, Alana and Este Haim for their "amazing support," as well as their patience when recording had to halt to accommodate his treatment.
Rechtshaid went on to detail some of the lyrical themes of the album, praise the sisters' growth as a band, recount his and HAIM's experience of filming with Paul Thomas Anderson, and encourage everyone to listen to the new record.
"The album is now out. I'm super proud of it. It's a lot to take in so I hope people sit w/ it & catch all that went into it," he adds.
Read his entire message below.
Something to Tell You is out now via Columbia, and you can stream it here.