🔗 Share this article

"Any idea when you're interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can join as their extra sister."

There's just a key snag: The sender also desires to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of famous supporters have openly coveted the role.

The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award nominees.

Like all the greatest bands, they're a close trio. Their music videos often show them walking in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered joy you can't help but think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."

"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage others to make music."

"And thus everyone is invited to be the honorary part of the family."

Historic Nod

The trio have called into home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.

They're presently celebrating the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.

"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"

The significance of the honor resonates with the band.

"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that paved the way."

Heartbreak and Candor

The record emerged from a time of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.

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

"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."

Development of Style

That developed confidence called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.

For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drums.

"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.

"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."

Stories and Collective Humor

The trio's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.

One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.

"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."

A Confident Future

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

They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an global following.

However the band will consistently be their top commitment.

"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."