🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're speaking to the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."

There's just a single issue: The sender also longs to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are not alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.

One thing is obvious something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award nominees.

Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their visuals frequently depict them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage people to form a group."

"Therefore everyone is invited to be the next Haim sister."

Historic Recognition

The band have called into a break, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the trophy.

"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The weight of the honor is deeply felt by the trio.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Laughter

The project came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.

The themes track endings and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they aspire to be.

"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That developed confidence called for a different sonic direction – more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.

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

"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Stories and Shared Laughter

The trio's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.

One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate 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," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Legacy

You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.

They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.

Yet Haim will forever be their primary commitment.

"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."