🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There is only a key snag: The sender also wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're far from alone. Multiple celebrated fans have also petitioned for the role.

It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.

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

"The numerous instances on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."

"Therefore all gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."

Award Nod

The band are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in for their new album, I Quit.

They're right now processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the award.

"I watch the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"

The importance of the accolade resonates with the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that inspired us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The project came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to let go.

The words track departures and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they are becoming.

"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Development of Sound

That developed toughness required a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

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

"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.

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

Anecdotes and Shared Laughter

The trio's honesty inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.

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

"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."

A Secure Path

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

They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an global audience.

But the band will consistently be their number one priority.

"We have been playing music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."