All Fans Are Welcome to Be the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Any idea when you're interviewing Haim?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just a single issue: The sender also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated supporters have openly begged for the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award nominees.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a close gang. Their music videos frequently feature them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the ultimate honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate people to start a band."
"So anyone is invited to be the next part of the family."
Historic Recognition
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in the running for the award.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant step," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album was born from a period of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The lyrics track endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in the moment who they want to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Music
That developed toughness called for a new sound – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The trio's openness inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.
One man left Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
However the band will always be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."