🔗 Share this article

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

However, there remains one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several famous fans have also petitioned for the honor.

It's clear a special quality is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy Award hopefuls.

Similar to the best groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their visuals often feature them marching in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."

"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to form a group."

"Therefore all is invited to be the fourth part of the family."

Historic Recognition

The band are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.

They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the award.

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

The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.

"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the pioneers that inspired us."

Personal Turmoil and Candor

The record came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

The themes detail breakups and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.

"I adore summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."

Refinement of Music

That developed toughness called for a fresh approach – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drum sound.

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

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

Anecdotes and Collective Laughter

The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.

A former partner ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.

"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."

A Confident Legacy

It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the rock pantheon.

They're major draws, with successful albums and an global fan base.

Yet Haim will forever be their top commitment.

"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "There is no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still going strong."