🔗 Share this article

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

There is only a single issue: The sender also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several famous fans have publicly coveted the position.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award contenders.

Similar to the best bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their music videos frequently show them marching in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless happiness you inevitably think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a bass'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the biggest honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate people to form a group."

"So all is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."

Historic Milestone

The trio have called into a break, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in consideration for the award.

"I watch the lists every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"

The importance of the nomination isn't lost on the trio.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," says Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."

Heartbreak and Humour

The record emerged from a time of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.

The lyrics track departures and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.

"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Music

That newfound resilience called for a fresh approach – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the drum sound.

"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."

Experiences and Collective Camaraderie

The band's openness shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their dating misadventures.

A former partner left Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

A Confident Legacy

It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.

They're major draws, with successful albums and an global following.

But the sister act will always be their primary commitment.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."