All Fans Are Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of famous fans have publicly petitioned for the role.
It's clear something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos repeatedly show them marching in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to start a band."
"And thus anyone is invited to be the honorary part of the family."
Award Milestone
The group have called into home, where they're taking a pause 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 Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the honor isn't lost on the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the female artists that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The themes detail breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent resilience demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drums.
"Drums are 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," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The band's openness inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global fan base.
However the band will always be their number one focus.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
