All Fans Are Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.
It's clear something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a inseparable unit. Their visuals repeatedly depict them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage others to start a band."
"So anyone are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."
Historic Nod
The band are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," explains 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 band.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The lyrics detail breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That newfound confidence called for a new sound – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The trio's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the music world.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
Yet Haim will always be their top priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."