All Fans Are Welcome to Be the Extra Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're speaking to the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have also petitioned for the role.
One thing is obvious a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos repeatedly depict them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered joy you can't help but think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a drum kit'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage others to form a group."
"Therefore anyone is invited to be the fourth Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The group are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an major tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the honor isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The project came out of a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words detail departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent resilience called for a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.
"The drum sound 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 always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's openness fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.
Yet the sister act will consistently be their number one commitment.
"We have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still kicking."