Este Arielle Haim (born March 14, 1986) is an American musician. She is best known as the bassist and a vocalist of the pop-rock trio Haim, which she formed with her younger sisters Alana and Danielle in 2006. She co-writes all of Haim's songs.
Since 2021, Este has composed scores for film and television. She acted as a music consultant for the second season of HBO's The White Lotus.[2] Este was also the executive music producer for the mini-series A Small Light (2023).[3]
Early life
Este grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California[4] and studied at LA County's High School For The Arts.[5] Her family is Jewish, though they do not describe themselves as religious.[6] Este's father, Mordechai "Moti" Haim, is an Israeli-born retired professional soccer player who moved to the United States in 1980.[7] Her mother, Donna Rose, is a former elementary school art teacher from Philadelphia.[8] Este's paternal grandmother was originally from Bulgaria.[9]
The Haim sisters were taught to play instruments from an early age by their parents, with Este being encouraged to learn bass guitar by her father.[10][11] She has described being influenced by bassist Tina Weymouth after her father showed her the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.[12] Donna, Moti, and their children formed a family band, performing covers for charity gigs and at children's hospitals.[13]
In 2021, Este composed the score for the Netflix limited series Maid. She became involved in the project through a friend who was executive producing the show.[19][20] Este collaborated with Christopher Stracey, a member of the electronic duo Bag Raiders. While Christopher produced and played synth-based sounds, Este played most of the instruments.[21] While working on the music for Maid, Este and Christopher were approached to score the film Cha Cha Real Smooth.[19]
Este wrote original music for the Netflix teen movie Do Revenge. She collaborated with composer Amanda Yamate.[22] Este 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.[23] Bernad executive produced the series and asked Este to work on the show after observing her interactions with actress Beatrice Grannò.[23] Este hosted the pop culture and music podcast That Thing I Do with actor Darren Criss. One season of the podcast was released in 2021.[24][non-primary source needed] In 2022, Este appeared in the film Licorice Pizza, which her sisters and parents also starred in.[25]
Este was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age fourteen, during her first year of high school.[28][29] In interviews, she has discussed the challenges of managing diabetes as a touring musician.[29] When the band first performed at Glastonbury Festival, Este fainted after taking insulin when she hadn't had an opportunity to eat.[30][31] In 2018, Este was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease.[16] She has since started wearing a continuous glucose monitor, which she credits with transforming how she manages her diabetes.[32]
In February 2025, her engagement to Chainalysis co-founder and CEO Jonathan Levin was announced.[33]
Artistry
Este is a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass guitar, drums and guitar.[21] Este's main instrument is a 1975 Fender Precision Bass.[34] Her first bass was a Fender Jazz Precision, which she purchased herself after saving up her allowance.[35] Este prefers to play without a pick and rarely uses effects.[35][15] Bass Magazine described her style as diverse, "which allows her to both play for the song and play for the bass, at all times".[36]
Cultural influence
Este is referenced in the Taylor Swift song "No Body, No Crime", on which she is also a featured artist providing background vocals. The song tells the story of avenging Este's murder.[37] Swift named the song's character after her because she knew that she would be excited to be included in a murder-mystery track.[38]
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