🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise longs to be Haim's fourth member. And we're far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have also begged for the role.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy contenders.

Like all the best groups, they're a tight-knit unit. Their videos repeatedly depict them walking in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such boundless joy you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire young girls to form a group."

"Therefore everyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."

Award Recognition

The band have called into their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the award.

"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"

The significance of the honor resonates with the band.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."

Personal Turmoil and Candor

The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.

The words follow endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That recent toughness called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The band's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.

Someone ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."

A Confident Path

You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the music world.

They're major draws, with hit albums and an global following.

But Haim will always be their top commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was four," shares Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."