The World is Encouraged to Join as the Fourth Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise wants to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have also begged for the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest ensembles, they're a inseparable unit. Their music videos often depict them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such pure happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to form a group."
"And thus everyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."
Grammy Milestone
The trio are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in the running for the award.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the honor resonates with the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge step," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Humour
The record came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The words track departures and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I love description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That developed resilience demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The trio's candor fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.
Someone left 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.
"Experiencing 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 incredible."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide audience.
However Haim will always be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
