Everyone is Encouraged to Become the Additional Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the band?" an inquiry reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their fourth member."
There is only a single issue: I also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have also begged for the position.
The evidence suggests something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy contenders.
Like all the best ensembles, they're a close gang. Their videos often show them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such unfettered happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the greatest honor. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to make music."
"So everyone is invited to be the next Haim sister."
Award Recognition
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in contention for the award.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge achievement," adds Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The themes detail departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That developed confidence called for a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The trio's candor fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner broke up with Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Legacy
One can easily sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the music world.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
But the sister act will forever be their number one commitment.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."
