🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."

There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several high-profile supporters have publicly begged for the position.

The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career playing gigs at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.

In the tradition of the best groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their visuals frequently depict them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage people to start a band."

"And thus everyone is invited to be the honorary Haim sister."

Grammy Milestone

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

They're presently celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.

"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the accolade resonates with the trio.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that inspired us."

Personal Turmoil and Laughter

The album emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that strange liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to let go.

The themes follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.

"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That recent toughness required a fresh approach – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.

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

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our biography," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."

Experiences and Shared Humor

The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.

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

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Future

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their position in the music world.

They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.

But Haim will forever be their top commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still making music."