🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're speaking to the Haim sisters?" a text reads. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."

There's just a key snag: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several high-profile supporters have publicly petitioned for the position.

It's clear something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

Like all the greatest ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly show them walking in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."

"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire young girls to make music."

"So anyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."

Grammy Milestone

The band are connecting from home, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.

They're currently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.

"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"

The significance of the nomination resonates with the trio.

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

Emotional Upheaval and Humour

The project came out of a period of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that odd transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.

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

"I love summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."

Evolution of Style

That recent confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.

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

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

Experiences and Shared Laughter

The band's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.

Someone broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."

A Secure Path

You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their position in the rock pantheon.

They're major draws, with hit albums and an international audience.

Yet Haim will consistently be their primary priority.

"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."