🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're interviewing Haim?" an inquiry reads. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Multiple high-profile admirers have also petitioned for the role.

It's clear something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.

Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a close gang. Their music videos frequently feature them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate others to make music."

"Therefore everyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."

Award Recognition

The band are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're presently processing the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in contention for the award.

"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"

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

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

Emotional Upheaval and Candor

The album came out of a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

The lyrics track breakups and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they are becoming.

"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That newfound confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drum sound.

"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Camaraderie

The trio's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.

Someone broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

An Assured Legacy

One can easily sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their standing in the music world.

They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an international fan base.

However the band will forever be their top commitment.

"We have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."