🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."

There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of famous supporters have publicly begged for the honor.

One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are repeated Grammy contenders.

In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a close unit. Their visuals repeatedly depict them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire young girls to form a group."

"So all gets an invitation to be the fourth member of Haim."

Award Milestone

The group are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.

They're right now reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in consideration for the prize.

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

The significance of the honor isn't lost on the trio.

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

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The album came out of a phase of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.

The themes detail endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they aspire to be.

"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Development of Sound

That developed resilience required a new sound – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.

"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie

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

A former partner ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."

A Secure Path

One can easily sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the rock pantheon.

They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.

Yet the band will forever be their primary commitment.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."