All Fans is Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" an inquiry reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just a single issue: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are not alone. A host of celebrated admirers have openly begged for the position.
It's clear something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos often feature them walking in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"And thus everyone are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Grammy Milestone
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the honor is deeply felt by the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," adds Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The album came out of a phase of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics detail breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That newfound toughness demanded a new sound – more raw and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The band's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
One man left Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Path
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an international fan base.
However the sister act will consistently be their primary focus.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still making music."