Everyone Are Welcome to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
However, there remains a single issue: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated fans have also begged for the position.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy nominees.
In the tradition of the best ensembles, they're a close trio. Their videos often show them walking in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the ultimate compliment. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage people to make music."
"So all are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the honor isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Candor
The record emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The themes track departures and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they are becoming.
"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That newfound resilience demanded a new sound – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our biography," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The band's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.
Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told 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 setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an global fan base.
Yet the band will always be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
