🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There is only one problem: The sender also wants to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are not alone. Several high-profile supporters have openly petitioned for the role.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy contenders.

Like all the best ensembles, they're a close gang. Their videos often depict them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless joy you can't help but think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the greatest honor. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage people to form a group."

"So everyone is invited to be the honorary Haim sister."

Historic Recognition

The group are connecting from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in consideration for the prize.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the nomination resonates with the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Humour

The album came out of a time of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.

The lyrics detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Style

That newfound toughness required a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drum sound.

"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."

Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie

The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their dating tales.

Someone left Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Path

It's not difficult sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.

They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an global fan base.

Yet the band will forever be their primary focus.

"We have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still kicking."