All Fans Are Welcome to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with Haim?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just a single issue: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're far from alone. A host of celebrated admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the greatest bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals frequently show them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"Therefore all gets an invitation to be the next part of the family."
Historic Recognition
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "However we're just thankful for the women that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album came out of a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The themes detail endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.
"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Sound
That newfound confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drums.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'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 right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The trio's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.
One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
However Haim will forever be their number one focus.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still kicking."