🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."

There's just one problem: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're not alone. A host of famous fans have publicly coveted the honor.

One thing is obvious something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their career playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award nominees.

Similar to the most iconic groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos often depict them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless joy you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the greatest compliment. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to start a band."

"And thus all are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."

Grammy Nod

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

They're presently processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the trophy.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I dreaming'?"

The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.

"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The record emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.

The lyrics follow departures and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in the moment who they are becoming.

"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Development of Style

That developed confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began 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 title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."

Stories and Collective Laughter

The trio's openness inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.

Someone broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

A Secure Future

You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their position in the industry.

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

Yet the sister act will consistently be their top commitment.

"My sisters and I have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."