Haim

Haim is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, active since 2006. The group is made up of sisters Este Haim, Danielle Haim and Alana Haim, and also includes Dash Hutton. Their name is pronounced “HY-am” and means “life” in Hebrew.

Background

The sisters grow up in a musical family and start playing instruments at an early age in the family cover band Rockinhaim, which is fronted by their parents, Moti and Donna. Before forming Haim, Este and Danielle perform in the pop group Valli Girls in 2005 and release a few songs on soundtrack and compilation albums under that name.

Haim forms in 2007, though the group does not treat it as a full-time career for several years. Danielle later works as a touring guitarist with Jenny Lewis and Julian Casablancas before the band returns as a full-time project in 2012.

Sound and performance

The band plays a pop-oriented studio sound that contrasts with the more rock-based approach of its live shows. It is often compared with Fleetwood Mac, and its music has also been described as a blend of folk, nineties R&B and other pop and rock influences.

Recordings and recognition

The band’s first release is the Forever EP, issued as a limited-time download. Positive attention from South by Southwest leads to a deal with Polydor Records and a management agreement with Roc Nation in 2012.

Haim records its first album, Days Are Gone, between touring dates, including appearances at Glastonbury Festival. The album reaches the top ten in several countries and goes to number one in the UK. By the end of 2013, the group has won several “best of” awards.

The band is nominated for Best New Artist at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Its second album, Something to Tell You, is released in 2017, and its third album, Women in Music Pt. III, follows in 2020. At the 63rd Grammy Awards, the group receives nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance for “The Steps”.