🔗 Share this article

"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the band?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There's just a single issue: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're in plentiful company. A host of celebrated supporters have publicly begged for the role.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award contenders.

In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos often feature them marching in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such boundless joy you can't help but think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to start a band."

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

Historic Nod

The band are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently reeling from the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in the running for the award.

"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.

"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the women that came before us."

Emotional Upheaval and Laughter

The record was born from a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to move on.

The lyrics track departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.

"That's a perfect description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That newfound toughness required a different sonic direction – more unpolished and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.

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

"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."

Stories and Collective Humor

The trio's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic horror stories.

One man broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."

An Assured Legacy

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.

They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global following.

But Haim will always be their primary focus.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."