Haim gained recognition with their debut album, “Days Are Gone,” released in 2013. The album showcased exceptional harmonies, captivating melodies, and impressive musicianship. Since then, Haim has delighted fans with their energetic performances and critically acclaimed albums, establishing themselves as one of the leading artists in contemporary pop music.
The sisters grew up in a musical household and began playing instruments at a young age in the cover band Rockinhaim, led by their parents, Moti and Donna. Este and Danielle, the two older sisters, first performed with the pop group “Valli Girls” in 2005. They recorded a few songs under that moniker on soundtrack and compilation albums, but split up shortly after performing at the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. They founded Haim with younger sister Alana in 2007, but did not actively consider it as a professional vocation for several years. After Danielle became a successful touring guitarist, first with Jenny Lewis and then with Julian Casablancas, Haim reunited as a full-time band in 2012.
The three sisters formed HAIM in 2007, with Danielle on guitar and lead vocals, Este on guitar and bass, and Alana on guitar and keyboard. Though they played occasional gigs, the band took a back seat to their other interests. Este completed her degree in Ethnomusicology at UCLA in two years instead of the usual five. Meanwhile, Danielle Haim became a touring musician after being discovered at a Laurel Canyon jam session by Jenny Lewis. She first joined Lewis’ band, then played guitar and percussion for the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, and was a member of CeeLo Green’s backing band for a brief stint.
Forever
Touring so much made Danielle miss playing music with her sisters, and HAIM became their main focus in 2012. The trio honed a sound inspired by the music they grew up with — Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Santana, Motown — as well as contemporary R&B. In February, they released the EP Forever as a free download on their website. After playing South by Southwest, they landed a deal with Polydor in the U.K. and a management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation later in the year. Tours of the U.K. and Ireland with Mumford & Sons and Florence + the Machine, as well as the single “Don’t Save Me,” raised HAIM’s profile, and at the end of 2012 they became the first female group to win the influential BBC Sound of 2013 award.
Free the Universe
Early in 2013, Danielle Haim contributed to Major Lazer’s album Free the Universe, while the entire band appeared on Kid Cudi’s album Indicud. During this time, HAIM worked on their debut long-player with producers Ariel Rechtshaid and James Ford, adding more drum machines and synths to their sound for a polished, poppy feel. Following sold-out headlining concerts and a festival appearance on Glastonbury’s main stage, their debut album, Days Are Gone, arrived in September 2013. The record topped the charts in the U.K., reached number six on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, and spawned the hit singles “The Wire” and “Forever.” In the wake of its release, HAIM’s widespread acclaim included a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
The group’s first release, Forever EP (an EP released as a limited-time download), combined with positive reception at the South by Southwest festival, led to a deal with Polydor Records and a management deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation group in mid-2012. The band began recording material for their first album, Days Are Gone, in sessions between touring dates, including appearances at the Glastonbury Festival. The album charted in the top ten in several countries, including the number-one spot in the UK, and the group had won several “best of” awards by the end of 2013. The group was nominated for Best New Artist at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Their second album, Something to Tell You, was released in July 2017. Their third album, titled Women in Music Pt. III, was released on June 26, 2020. The group received nominations at the 63rd Grammy awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance (for “The Steps”).
In 2024, the sisters blacked out the band’s Instagram, seemingly teasing new music by putting “writing… writing… writing…” in the account’s bio.