All Fans Are Invited to Join as the Additional Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. A host of celebrated supporters have also begged for the position.
It's clear a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit unit. Their visuals frequently depict them marching in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate young girls to form a group."
"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the next member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio have called into a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in contention for the award.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the honor is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Humour
The project emerged from a time of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The lyrics track breakups and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That developed resilience required a fresh approach – more raw and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The band's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.
One man ended things 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.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
Yet the band will forever be their top focus.
"We have been performing since I was a young child," says Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."
