Everything about the Haim sisters – Este, Danielle, and Alana- covers their early life, rise to fame with the band HAIM, hit albums, etc.
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The Haim sisters – Alana, Danielle, and Este (from left to right) – performed live in 2018.
The Haim sisters are an American pop-rock trio from Los Angeles, collectively known by their band, HAIM.
The group consists of Este Haim, Danielle Haim, and Alana Haim, who have played music together since childhood.
They grew up in a musical family and gained international fame in the 2010s for their infectious harmonies, 1970s-inspired rock sound, and contemporary pop/R&B influences.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the sisters, covering their biographies, musical career, discography, collaborations, accolades, public influence, and the latest news.
Biographical Details
Este Arielle Haim (born March 14, 1986), Danielle Sari Haim (born February 16, 1989), and Alana Mychal Haim (born December 15, 1991) were all born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
They come from a close-knit Jewish family—their Israeli-born father, Mordechai “Moti” Haim, was a former professional soccer player and drummer, and their American mother, Donna, was a singer who once won a 1970s TV talent contest by performing a Bonnie Raitt song.
Music was a big part of their upbringing: the sisters were encouraged to listen to their parents’ classic rock and Americana records, and each learned multiple instruments from an early age.
In the late 1990s, the whole family formed a cover band called “Rockinhaim,” with their parents on drums and guitar, and the girls performing hits by artists like The Beatles and Van Morrison at local community events.
These early experiences – including their first Rockinhaim show at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles – set the foundation for the sisters’ passion for music.
By their teens, the Haim sisters were already performing beyond the family band.
In 2004, Este (on bass) and Danielle (on guitar) joined an all-female pop group called the Valli Girls, which was signed to Columbia Records.
They recorded a few songs and even landed a track on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie soundtrack. They performed at the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards before eventually leaving the Valli Girls to pursue their music.
Este studied Ethnomusicology at UCLA (specializing in Bulgarian and Brazilian music) and graduated in 2010. Alana attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and graduated the same year.
All the while, the sisters continued writing songs together, with Danielle showing a unique talent for guitar early on (their father bought Este a bass so they could complement each other).
Musical Career
In 2007, after dabbling in other projects, Este, Danielle, and Alana officially decided to form their band, HAIM (their surname, which means “life” in Hebrew).
In the band’s early years, they played small gigs around Los Angeles.
Their first show was at a deli in Hollywood, where they were jokingly paid in matzah ball soup.
At that time, they were not yet considering music as a full-time career; the sisters would play local 50-capacity venues to sparse crowds while focusing on school and other work.
A turning point came after Danielle graduated high school: she was noticed by singer Jenny Lewis, which led to Danielle touring as Lewis’s guitarist and later joining Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) on his solo tour as a guitarist and percussionist.
From roughly 2009 to 2010, Danielle gained invaluable industry experience on these tours, even rehearsing daily with Casablancas’s band for months.
However, she ultimately turned down a lucrative offer to continue touring (as a backing musician for CeeLo Green) to focus on making music with her sisters, heeding Casablancas’s advice to write more substantial material and build their band.
This decision set the stage for HAIM to become a serious endeavor.
In 2012, HAIM self-released the Forever EP, a three-song debut EP they initially offered as a free download on their website.
Around the same time, they performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, which proved to be a breakthrough opportunity.
Despite a rocky start at SXSW (“the first show was maybe a disaster,” Danielle recalled), their subsequent performances generated significant buzz in the music industry.
The buzz led to HAIM signing a record deal with Polydor Records in the UK by mid-2012 and a management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation that year.
With a label behind them, the sisters began recording their first full-length Album while continuing to tour as support for acts like Edward Sharpe and Kesha.
HAIM crafted a retro and fresh sound by blending their love of classic rock with contemporary R&B/pop production (they even experimented with drum machines and GarageBand in the studio).
HAIM’s debut album, Days Are Gone, was released on September 27, 2013.
The Album received critical acclaim and commercial success: it reached the top 10 in several countries and hit No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Fueled by catchy singles like “Forever,” “The Wire,” and “Don’t Save Me,” Days Are Gone introduced global audiences to the sisters’ polished harmonies and breezy pop-rock style.
By the end of 2013, HAIM had won several year-end awards and was named one of the year’s breakout acts.
The following year, the band toured extensively and graced big festival stages (including Glastonbury), all while gaining respect for their lively performances.
In early 2015, HAIM’s rapid rise was capped with a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist at the 57th Annual Grammys.
The Haim sisters continued to build on this momentum with their second and third albums.
Something to Tell You, their sophomore Album, came out on July 7, 2017.
It featured songs like “Want You Back” and “Little of Your Love” and saw the band refining their sound with 80s pop and R&B influences.
To promote the record, HAIM made high-profile appearances (including a performance on Saturday Night Live) and embarked on the Sister Sister Sister world tour in 2018.
After a brief break and teasing new music, HAIM returned in June 2020 with their third Album, Women in Music Pt. III.
This record, co-produced by Danielle alongside producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij, earned some of HAIM’s best reviews yet—Pitchfork and other outlets praised its rawer, genre-blending approach.
Women in Music Pt. III was later nominated for Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards, making HAIM the first all-female rock band to achieve that distinction.
The single “The Steps” from the Album also garnered a Grammy nod for Best Rock Performance.
Discography
HAIM has released three full-length studio albums and several EPs and singles.
Below is a list of their albums and a few notable songs:
- Days Are Gone (2013) – Debut studio album released September 2013. This Album introduced HAIM’s signature sound and included hit tracks “The Wire,” “Don’t Save Me,” and “Forever.” Days Are Gone received widespread critical acclaim and topped the UK Albums Chart, establishing the sisters as international stars. By year’s end, it featured on many “Best of 2013” lists, leading to the band’s Best New Artist Grammy nomination.
- Something to Tell You (2017) – The second Album was released on July 7, 2017. It continued the band’s pop-rock and R&B fusion style, with standout singles like “Want You Back” (which they performed on SNL) and “Little of Your Love.” The Album debuted in the top 10 in the US and UK and solidified HAIM’s reputation for tight songwriting and glossy production.
- Women in Music Pt. III (2020) – Third Album, released June 26, 2020. This record was lauded for its adventurous sound and vulnerable lyrics, touching on themes of depression and resilience. Notable songs include “The Steps”, “Gasoline,” and “Don’t Wanna.” WIM Pt. III earned HAIM a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, reflecting its critical acclaim, and the single “The Steps” was nominated for Best Rock Performance. The Album showcased the sisters’ growth and range, incorporating rock, funk, and jazz-pop elements.
(EPs and Singles) – Before their albums, HAIM’s Forever EP (2012) first garnered industry attention with the songs “Forever” and “Don’t Save Me.”
The band has also released various standalone singles in later years, such as “Summer Girl” (2019) and “Now I’m In It” (2019), which hinted at their evolving sound between album cycles.
In 2023, they contributed the song “Home” to the Barbie movie soundtrack, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Days Are Gone.
Additionally, HAIM has occasionally released unique covers and holiday tracks, like their acclaimed 2021 rendition of Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” (a nod to their Jewish heritage)
Collaborations
One of HAIM’s strengths is their willingness to collaborate with a wide range of artists and producers, bringing their talents into different musical projects:
- Taylor Swift: The Haim sisters are close friends with Taylor Swift and have collaborated multiple times. They were featured on Swift’s song “No Body, No Crime” from her 2020 album Evermore (a murder-mystery-themed track where Este even inspired a character’s name). In 2022, all three Haims appeared in Swift’s whimsical music video for “Bejeweled.” Swift also invited HAIM as a supporting act on multiple tour dates – they opened for her 1989 World Tour in 2015 and more recently joined her on the 2023 Eras Tour, where they performed “No Body, No Crime” together live on stage. Additionally, Taylor Swift lent her vocals to a remix of HAIM’s song “Gasoline” in 2021, illustrating the mutual creative exchange between Swift and the Haim sisters.
- Kid Cudi: HAIM collaborated with rapper Kid Cudi early in their career. The band appeared on “Red Eye,” a track from Kid Cudi’s 2013 album Indicud, providing vocals and musical backing. This cross-genre collaboration (indie rock meets hip-hop) happened before HAIM’s debut album was released, signaling their genre-blending approach and appeal to artists outside the rock sphere.
- Calvin Harris: HAIM teamed up with superstar DJ/producer Calvin Harris for the song “Pray to God,” released on his 2014 album Motion. The Haim sisters co-wrote and provided vocals for this electronic dance track, which became a single in 2015 and charted internationally. “Pray to God” showed HAIM’s versatility, successfully fusing their harmonies with a dance-pop production. The song earned certifications in multiple countries (e.g., Platinum in Australia) and raised HAIM’s profile in the pop world.
- Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac): One of HAIM’s most cherished influences is Fleetwood Mac, so it was a dream come true when they got to work with Stevie Nicks. In October 2014, the band recorded a unique live cover of Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Rhiannon” with Stevie Nicks herself. The collaboration was part of a video session and was widely shared, symbolizing a “passing of the torch” between the iconic 1970s rock frontwoman and the young trio. Nicks has publicly supported HAIM, and the sisters have often cited her band’s sound as formative in their musical style.
- Ariel Rechtshaid & Rostam Batmanglij: On the production side, HAIM frequently collaborates with acclaimed producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij. Rechtshaid (Danielle Haim’s long-term partner) has co-produced all of HAIM’s albums, helping craft their polished studio sound. Rostam, a former member of Vampire Weekend, worked with HAIM on songs like “Want You Back” and contributed extensively to Women in Music Pt. III. The band’s work with these producers has been a true collaboration in shaping their sonic identity. Danielle and Rostam also contributed to Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride (2019). Danielle provided drums and vocal contributions to that Album, reflecting the close creative ties between these artists.
- Other Notable Collaborations: many others have sought HAIM’s talents in the industry. They have appeared on songs across genres, from indie rock to R&B. For example, the sisters were featured on “Meltdown,” a collaborative track with Lorde, Pusha T, and Q-Tip for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1 soundtrack (2014). They also lent their voices to Bastille’s song “Bite Down” (2014)and teamed up with Twin Shadow on the track “Saturdays” (2018). In 2019, HAIM was featured on Charli XCX’s song “Warm” from her Album Charli, and they made a humorous cameo alongside comedian Maya Rudolph on The Lonely Island’s Netflix memorable soundtrack (The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience, 2019). Beyond music, the Haim sisters have a creative partnership with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, who has directed several of their music videos (such as “Right Now” and “Little of Your Love”). This partnership culminated in Anderson casting Alana Haim as the lead in his 2021 film Licorice Pizza, a crossover moment that introduced the youngest Haim sister to Hollywood (more on that in Recent News).
Awards and Recognition
HAIM has earned significant accolades over the years, highlighting both their critical acclaim and their impact on the music industry:
- Grammy Awards: HAIM received a Best New Artist nomination at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (held in 2015) on the strength of their debut album. Later, their album Women in Music Pt. III brought two major Grammy nominations at the 63rd Annual Awards in 2021: Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance (for the single “The Steps”). While they did not win, the Album of the Year nod made history – HAIM became the first all-female rock band ever nominated in that category, marking a milestone for representation in rock. Additionally, various songs have earned individual attention (e.g., “The Wire” was a pop hit, and “Do not Wanna” received airplay on rock stations). However, their central Grammy recognition remains in these nominations.
- BRIT Awards: The Haim sisters have been especially beloved in the UK, and in 2021, they won the BRIT Award for Best International Group. This win was notable as they were the first female band in nearly 20 years to take home that honor (the previous being Destiny’s Child in 2002). Este, Danielle, and Alana were visibly excited and grateful for their acceptance, noting that the UK was the first place to embrace their music. HAIM had been nominated twice for the International Group Brit Award, so the third time proved the charm.
- NME and Other Awards: Early in their rise, HAIM won the NME Award for Best International Band in 2014, signaling the British music press’s enthusiasm for them. They have also topped several critics’ year-end lists and readers’ polls. For instance, HAIM was honored as “Band of the Year” by some publications in 2013, and Days Are Gone and Women in Music Pt. III was featured prominently on their respective years’ “best albums” lists. While HAIM has not won an American Music Award or MTV VMA yet, they have received nominations (such as for MTV’s Push Artist and international MTV awards) and have a strong reputation as musicians’ musicians in the industry.
- Individual Honors: In addition to the group awards, it is worth noting that Alana Haim’s venture into acting earned her critical acclaim in film. For her debut role in Licorice Pizza (2021), she was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for Best Actress—a rare feat for a first-time actress. This recognition showed that the Haim sisters’ talents extend beyond music into broader entertainment, further raising their profile.
Public Persona and Influence
As a band of three sisters, HAIM projects a strong public persona of familial bond, humor, and down-to-earth authenticity.
The Haim sisters are known for their energetic and fun performances on stage.
Este Haim, in particular, often acts as the onstage MC.
She is famous for her wild facial expressions (dubbed the “bass face“) and goofy banter with the crowd while playing bass.
Their live shows feature plenty of drumming (all three can play percussion) and even synchronized stomping or dancing, showcasing a natural chemistry from years of jamming together.
Critics have noted that HAIM’s live energy is rawer and rockier than their polished studio recordings, proving they can genuinely rock despite their pop sheen.
This ability to toggle between polished pop and authentic rock has endeared them to fans across genre lines.
The Haim sisters have also become icons for women in music, often speaking up about gender equality and carving out a space for female-driven rock.
They bristle at the label “girl band,” insisting they want to be seen as a band on their own merits, not a novelty.
Alana Haim once said, “When people call us a girl band, I take it as an insult – being a girl in a band should not be a thing.”
In 2018, HAIM made headlines for taking a stand on the gender pay gap in the music industry: the sisters revealed that they fired their booking agent after discovering they had been paid 10 times less than a male artist on the same festival bill.
Alana described the pay disparity as “insane,” their bold action was widely applauded as a move toward fairness for female artists.
By openly discussing issues like pay inequality and refusing to be objectified (they are known for performing in comfortable attire rather than hyper-sexualized outfits), HAIM has positioned itself as a feminist role model in the rock world.
Culturally, HAIM’s impact lies in shattering certain stereotypes and blending genres in fresh ways.
They are often praised for merging the old and the new – as one review cleverly described, their music can sound like “nu-folk meets 90s R&B” with a vibe of “Stevie Nicks meets En Vogue.”
Significantly, their success has challenged the industry’s “old hobby horses,” who say that guitar bands are unmarketable or that a female rock act can only sell music with sex appeal.
By achieving commercial and critical success on their terms, the Haim sisters have “laid waste” to outdated notions about women in rock having limited appeal.
Many young girls and aspiring musicians see HAIM as an inspiring example of how women can headline festivals, play their instruments proficiently, and handle the business side of music.
Este, Danielle, and Alana often emphasize their musicianship – all three write songs, all three sing (their harmonies are a hallmark of their sound), and each can play multiple instruments.
This collective talent and unity has earned them respect among their peers and elders; even rock legends like Stevie Nicks and the members of Fleetwood Mac have endorsed HAIM as worthy successors.
The sisters’ Jewish heritage is another aspect of their public persona that they proudly embrace.
They have spoken about how celebrating Shabbat dinners and Jewish holidays growing up helped cement their sisterly bond.
One of their earliest performances as kids was at the Canter’s Deli (a famous Jewish deli in L.A.), and in 2020, they even planned a tongue-in-cheek “deli tour” of shows at historic delis (a tour that was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic).
In late 2021, HAIM paid homage to their heritage by releasing a playful cover of “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler, updating the lyrics with shoutouts to modern Jewish celebrities.
Sandler himself approved, calling them “three badass Jews!” in a tweet.
By bringing their cultural background into their art (and not shying away from it publicly), the Haim sisters have increased visibility for Jewish artists in mainstream pop/rock.
Off stage, HAIM is known for an approachable, relatable image.
They often appear in each other’s Instagram skits and music videos, showing a goofy side (for example, the music video for “Want You Back” features them casually striding and dancing down an LA street in one continuous shot, a style that has become a signature for them).
Their fashion sense is distinct but not overly flashy – frequently rocking denim, leather jackets, and vintage band tees, the sisters come off as the cool girls next door who love classic rock.
They have attended significant events like the Grammys and the BRITs in chic, coordinated outfits designed by high-profile designers.
However, they balance glamour with a certain grounded, California-girl vibe.
This authenticity has helped build a loyal fan base.
Moreover, all three sisters engage with social issues. Aside from gender equality, they have supported causes like voting rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy, and they performed at a virtual benefit for Planned Parenthood in 2017.
In interviews, HAIM often emphasizes positivity, sisterhood, and perseverance, making them musically influential pop culture figures who champion unity and self-confidence.
Recent News and Updates
In recent years, the Haim sisters have continued to expand their creative pursuits and make headlines.
A significant development was Alana Haim’s venture into acting.
Alana made her film debut starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 movie Licorice Pizza, a coming-of-age comedy-drama set in the 1970s.
Her performance as the lead actress earned widespread acclaim – she was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Notably, her co-stars in the film included acting heavyweights, yet Alana held her own and was celebrated as a breakout film star.
What made this even more remarkable is that her sisters Este and Danielle and their parents also had cameo roles in the movie, playing her character’s family, keeping it a true family affair.
Licorice Pizza elevated Alana’s profile beyond music and showcased the Haims’ influence in the broader culture.
The band remained active musically during this time—in late 2020, HAIM released a special expanded edition of Women in Music Pt. III, and the same month, they contributed vocals to Taylor Swift’s Evermore album (the aforementioned “No Body, No Crime”).
In 2022, HAIM embarked on the “One More Haim Tour,” their third headlining tour covering North America, Europe, and more in support of WIM Pt. III.
They also made memorable festival appearances, and one particularly buzzed-about moment was their guest spot during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023.
The sisters joined Swift onstage to perform their collaboration live for the first time, delighting fans at stadium shows.
Throughout 2023, HAIM teased that they were back in the studio working on new music—in a cheeky TikTok post in January 2023, they announced they had started writing their fourth Album.
That same year, in July, they released a new song called “Home” as part of the blockbuster Barbie movie soundtrack.
“Home” was their first new original release since 2020 and carried the band’s signature harmony-driven style into a bright, soundtrack-friendly pop tune.
As of early 2025, fans have much to look forward to.
In March 2025, HAIM officially announced an upcoming single titled “Relationships,” heralding it as their “next single” and teasing the track on social media.
This news came after weeks of hints (including a playful post on Danielle’s birthday about being “Haim single,” which eagle-eyed fans interpreted as a pun on releasing a single).
“Relationships” will be the band’s first new music in two years, following the 2023 release of “Home.”
While the exact release date has not been revealed at the time of writing, the Haim sisters have confirmed that a full fourth studio album is in the works – their first LP since 2020.
This has generated considerable excitement, as it marks the longest gap between Haim albums, and fans are eager to hear how their sound evolves next.
On the personal side of recent news, the sisters have continued to make high-profile appearances.
They attended the 2023 Academy Awards (where Licorice Pizza was the Best Picture nominee) to support Alana’s venture, and they have been featured in fashion magazines like Vogue discussing their style and sisterhood.
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, HAIM stayed connected with fans through virtual performances and even humorous Instagram Lives (some of which included cooking and jamming at home).
In 2022, they appeared on a charity single and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in a comedy sketch, further showing their playful public persona.
In summary, Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim have evolved from precocious kids in a family band to one of the leading names in modern rock/pop.
With three successful albums behind them, numerous awards nominations, and an ever-expanding influence (now reaching into film and pop culture), the Haim sisters continue to hit new milestones both individually and collectively.
They balance nostalgia for classic rock with a fresh, female-driven perspective that resonates widely.
As they gear up for their next musical chapter with a new album on the horizon, HAIM’s journey is a testament to sisterhood, musical passion, and staying true to oneself in the spotlight.
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