Este Haim
March 14, 1986
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Musician
- singer
- songwriter
- composer
- Bass guitar
- vocals
2004–present
Since 2021, Haim has composed scores for film and television. She acted as a music consultant for season 2 of HBO's The White Lotus.[1] In 2023, Haim acted as the executive music producer for the mini-series A Small Light.[2]
Early life[edit]
Haim grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California[3] and studied at LA County's High School For The Arts.[4] Her family is Jewish, though they do not describe themselves as religious.[5] Haim's father, Mordechai "Moti" Haim, is an Israeli-born retired professional soccer player who moved to the United States in 1980.[6] Her mother, Donna Rose, is a former elementary school art teacher from Philadelphia.[7] Haim's paternal grandmother was originally from Bulgaria.[8]
The Haim sisters were taught to play instruments from an early age by their parents,[9] with Haim being encouraged to learn bass guitar by her father.[10] She has described being influenced by bassist Tina Weymouth, after her father showed her the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.[11] Donna, Moti, and their children formed a family band, performing covers for charity gigs and at children's hospitals.[12]
Haim graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in ethnomusicology.[10]
Personal life[edit]
Haim was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age fourteen, during her first year of high school.[27][28] In interviews, she has discussed the challenges of managing diabetes as a touring musician.[28] When the band first performed at Glastonbury Festival, Haim fainted after taking insulin when she hadn't had an opportunity to eat.[29][30] In 2018, Haim was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease.[15] She has since started wearing a continuous glucose monitor which she credits with transforming how she manages her diabetes.[31]
Artistry[edit]
Este is a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass guitar, drums and guitar.[20] Este's main instrument is a 1975 Fender Precision Bass.[32] Her first bass was a Fender Jazz Precision, which she purchased herself after saving up her allowance.[33] Este prefers to play without a pick and rarely uses effects.[33][14] Bass Magazine described her style as diverse, "which allows her to both play for the song and play for the bass, at all times".[34]
Cultural influence[edit]
Este is name-checked in the Taylor Swift song No Body, No Crime, which tells the story of avenging a murder.[37] Swift named the song's character after Este because she knew that Este would be excited to be included in a murder-mystery track.[38]
