The World Are Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the band?" a text pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile supporters have also begged for the honor.
It's clear a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy nominees.
Similar to the greatest groups, they're a close unit. Their visuals often feature them striding in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate young girls to make music."
"Therefore all are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Nod
The trio have called into home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Heartbreak and Humour
The album came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The lyrics follow departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That recent resilience demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The trio's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.
Someone left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global fan base.
But the band will consistently be their primary focus.
"We have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."