🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the Haim sisters?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."

There is only one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of famous fans have publicly petitioned for the honor.

The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy contenders.

Like all the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos frequently show them walking in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans told us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the biggest compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage others to start a band."

"So everyone are welcome to be the next Haim sister."

Grammy Recognition

The trio are connecting from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their new album, I Quit.

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

"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the band.

"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant milestone," continues Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that came before us."

Personal Turmoil and Laughter

The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to let go.

The words track departures and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That recent toughness demanded 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 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 title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Stories and Collective Camaraderie

The band's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic misadventures.

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

"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.

They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.

Yet Haim will forever be their primary commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."