🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."

There is only a key snag: I also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several celebrated fans have also begged for the honor.

It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy contenders.

Like all the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals repeatedly feature them walking in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the biggest honor. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire young girls to start a band."

"And thus anyone are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."

Award Recognition

The group have called into a break, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.

They're currently reeling from 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 trophy.

"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," 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 sisters.

"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that came before us."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The record emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that odd liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.

The themes follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Sound

That developed toughness called for a fresh approach – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drum sound.

"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Laughter

The band's honesty fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their dating horror stories.

A former partner 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 friendly slap at midnight.

"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Path

One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their position in the music world.

They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global audience.

But the sister act will consistently be their primary commitment.

"We have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."