Everyone is Invited to Be the Additional Haim Sisters Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just one problem: The sender also desires to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're far from alone. Several famous fans have openly begged for the role.
It's clear something is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at small eateries with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos repeatedly feature them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate young girls to make music."
"Therefore all are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Historic Milestone
The group are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge achievement," adds Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The record came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The themes track endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.
"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That newfound toughness required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an global following.
But Haim will consistently be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."