All Fans Are Invited to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile supporters have publicly coveted the role.
One thing is obvious something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy contenders.
Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their music videos repeatedly show them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate others to form a group."
"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."
Grammy Nod
The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "But we're just grateful for the female artists that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The themes detail endings and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That developed confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The trio's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.
One man ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Future
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
But the band will forever be their top commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," says Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."