All Fans is Welcome to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're speaking to the Haim sisters?" an inquiry reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There is only one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several high-profile admirers have openly begged for the honor.
It's clear something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos often show them striding in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure joy you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to make music."
"So anyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Historic Milestone
The group are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the women that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that strange liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words track departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they want to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That developed toughness called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their personal tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Path
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an global following.
However Haim will always be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."