🔗 Share this article

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

There's just one problem: The sender also wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. Several famous supporters have publicly petitioned for the honor.

It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're repeated Grammy Award contenders.

Like all the greatest ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos frequently depict them marching in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be part of that, too."

"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the biggest honor. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to start a band."

"So everyone is invited to be the honorary member of Haim."

Grammy Recognition

The trio have called into their homes, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the trophy.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"

The significance of the accolade is deeply felt by the band.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the female artists that came before us."

Personal Turmoil and Laughter

The project was born from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that strange liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The lyrics detail departures and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.

"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Style

That recent toughness called for a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.

"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Camaraderie

The band's candor shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.

One man ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

One can easily sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their position in the music world.

They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.

But Haim will consistently be their number one commitment.

"We have been making music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."