Este Haim

Haim grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California[2] and studied at LA County's High School For The Arts.[3] Her family is Jewish, though they do not describe themselves as religious.[4] Haim's father, Mordechai "Moti" Haim, is an Israeli-born retired professional soccer player who moved to the United States in 1980.[5] Her mother, Donna Rose, is a former elementary school art teacher from Philadelphia.[6] Haim's paternal grandmother was originally from Bulgaria.[7]

The Haim sisters were taught to play instruments from an early age by their parents,[8] with Haim being encouraged to learn bass guitar by her father.[9] Donna, Moti and their children formed a family band, performing covers for charity gigs and at children's hospitals.[10]

Haim graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in ethnomusicology.[9]

Haim was formed in 2006, and played their first show in 2007. They released their first EP Falling as a free download on their website[11] after meeting producer Ludwig Goransson.[12] Their critically acclaimed debut album Days Are Gone was released in 2013,[13] followed by their sophomore album Something to Tell You in 2017.[14] Haim's third album Women in Music Pt. III was issued in June 2020, after the band postponed its release due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]

Haim performing in 2018

In 2021, Haim composed the score for the Netflix limited series Maid. She became involved in the project through a friend who was executive producing the show.[16][17] Haim collaborated with Christopher Stracey, a member of the electronic duo Bag Raiders. While Christopher produced and played synth-based sounds, Haim played most of the instruments.[18] While working on the music for Maid, Haim and Christopher were approached to score the film Cha Cha Real Smooth.[16]

Haim wrote original music for the Netflix teen movie Do Revenge. She collaborated with composer Amanda Yamate.[19]

Haim served as music consultant for season 2 of the HBO series The White Lotus after being invited to the set by her friend Dave Bernad.[20] Bernad executive produced the series, and asked Haim to work on the show after observing her interactions with actress Beatrice Granno.[20]

Haim hosted the pop culture and music podcast That Thing I Do with actor Darren Criss. One series of the podcast was released in 2021.[21]

Haim was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age fourteen, during her first year of high school.[22][23] In interviews, she has discussed the challenges of managing Diabetes as a touring musician.[23] When Haim first performed at Glastonbury Festival, Haim fainted after taking insulin without the opportunity to eat.[24][25] In 2018, Haim was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease.[13] She has since started wearing a continuous glucose monitor which she credits with transforming how she manages her diabetes.[26]

Este is a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass guitar, drums and guitar.[18] Este's main instrument is a 1975 Fender Precision Bass.[27] Her first bass was a Fender Jazz Precision, which she purchased herself after saving up her allowance.[28] Este prefers to play without a pick and rarely uses effects.[28][12] Bass Magazine described her style as diverse, "which allows her to both play for the song and play for the bass, at all times".[29]

Este is name-checked in the Taylor Swift song No Body, No Crime, which tells the story of avenging a murder.[31] Swift named the song's character after Este because she knew that Este would be excited to be included in a murder-mystery track.[32]

• Media related to Este Haim at Wikimedia Commons