HAIM: The Californian Pop-Rock Powerhouse

HAIM is an American pop-rock band formed by three sisters from Los Angeles. The group achieved mainstream success with their debut album Days Are Gone, which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart in 2013.

Early career

The band, consisting of sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, began playing music together in their childhood, initially in a family band called Rockinhaim. They officially formed HAIM in 2007, honing their sound in Los Angeles before gaining initial attention through live performances and early online releases.

Breakthrough

HAIM's breakthrough arrived in 2013 following the release of their singles Forever and Don't Save Me. Their debut album, Days Are Gone, released on Polydor Records, was a critical and commercial hit, cementing their place in the modern pop-rock landscape.

Key tracks

The Wire - This driving single became one of the band's signature early hits, showcasing their tight harmonies and rhythmic precision.

Want You Back - The lead single from their second album Something to Tell You, it marked a polished return with its infectious melody and punchy production.

Summer Girl - A laid-back, saxophone-infused track that demonstrated a more experimental and intimate side of HAIM's songwriting.

Now I'm In It - A synth-pop influenced song from their third album Women In Music Pt. III that deals with mental health over a propulsive beat.

The band's subsequent albums, Something to Tell You (2017) and Women In Music Pt. III (2020), expanded their sound while maintaining their core blend of folk-inflected harmonies and rock rhythms. They have collaborated with artists like Taylor Swift, Calvin Harris, and Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij, who produced much of their debut.

Fans of HAIM's sun-bleached, harmony-driven rock might also enjoy the work of similar artists. Angus And Julia Stone share a familial harmonic blend and folk-rock sensibility. Fleetwood Mac is a clear influence, particularly in HAIM's vocal arrangements and melodic craftsmanship. Warpaint offers another perspective on intricate, all-female rock from Los Angeles. Phoebe Bridgers represents a more introspective, lyric-focused branch of modern California rock.

HAIM's music, with its blend of 70s rock warmth and contemporary pop sheen, fits perfectly on a variety of alternative and indie rock radio formats. Their tracks are staples on stations that champion guitar-based songwriting with strong melodic hooks and vocal harmonies.

Listeners can explore the catalog of HAIM through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their defining hits and deep cuts are regularly played.