All Fans Are Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the band?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
However, there remains one problem: I also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. Several famous fans have also petitioned for the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the greatest ensembles, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly depict them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to start a band."
"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the fourth Haim sister."
Award Nod
The group are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I tune into the announcements 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 we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics follow departures and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That developed toughness called for a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Laughter
The band's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.
Someone left Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."
A Confident Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.
But Haim will forever be their top commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," says Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."