Everyone Are Welcome to Become the Extra Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the band?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
However, there remains a single issue: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of famous supporters have publicly coveted the role.
The evidence suggests something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest groups, they're a close gang. Their videos repeatedly show them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such boundless happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."
Grammy Recognition
The band are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys β with Haim the pioneering female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant achievement," adds Alana. "However we're just grateful for the women that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics detail departures and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them determining in the moment who they want to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That recent toughness required a new sound β more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drums.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global audience.
However the sister act will forever be their primary commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still kicking."
