🔗 Share this article

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

However, there remains one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of famous admirers have also begged for the honor.

One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.

In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a close unit. Their music videos frequently show them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure exuberance 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, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire people to make music."

"And thus everyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."

Award Nod

The group are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in support of their new album, I Quit.

They're presently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the award.

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

The significance of the nomination resonates with the sisters.

"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the women that came before us."

Heartbreak and Candor

The project was born from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.

The themes detail endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.

"That's a perfect summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Refinement of Sound

That recent toughness called for a new sound – 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 drums.

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

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Anecdotes and Collective Humor

The trio's honesty fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.

A former partner left Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."

A Confident Future

One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their position in the music world.

They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an international fan base.

However Haim will always be their primary commitment.

"We have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still making music."