🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."

However, there remains a single issue: I also desires to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're far from alone. Several high-profile supporters have publicly petitioned for the position.

It's clear a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy hopefuls.

In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their visuals often depict them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the greatest compliment. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire others to form a group."

"Therefore all gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."

Award Milestone

The group 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 processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the prize.

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

The significance of the honor resonates with the band.

"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."

Personal Turmoil and Humour

The record emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that unique transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.

The words follow departures and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Music

That developed toughness called for a new sound – more raw and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

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

"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.

"'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 ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie

The trio's honesty fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their dating tales.

Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling 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," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Future

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their place in the industry.

They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an international audience.

Yet Haim will always be their primary commitment.

"We have been playing music since I was a young child," says Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still making music."