Everyone Are Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with Haim?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just a key snag: The sender also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are not alone. A host of celebrated admirers have openly begged for the position.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.
Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a tight-knit gang. Their visuals often show them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate others to start a band."
"So anyone is invited to be the honorary member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The group are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in contention for the award.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project emerged from a phase of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound resilience called for a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Humor
The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
A former partner left Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an international following.
However the sister act will forever be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still kicking."
