🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" a text pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."

However, there remains a single issue: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. Multiple famous admirers have also petitioned for the honor.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best bands, they're a close gang. Their videos often show them marching in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire others to make music."

"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."

Grammy Milestone

The trio have called into a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.

They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in consideration for the trophy.

"I follow the nominations every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"

The weight of the honor resonates with the band.

"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The record emerged from a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

The words detail breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Style

That newfound confidence required a new sound – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drum sound.

"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie

The band's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal horror stories.

A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

A Confident Future

It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.

They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global audience.

But Haim will always be their number one priority.

"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."