Everyone is Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you speaking to the Haim sisters?" a text reads. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise longs to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're in plentiful company. A host of famous admirers have also coveted the position.
It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy nominees.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a close unit. Their visuals frequently show them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That's the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to form a group."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the fourth member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the female artists that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The album was born from a phase of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The words follow breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they want to be.
"I love description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That newfound toughness demanded a new sound – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Laughter
The trio's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."
A Confident Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an global audience.
However Haim will forever be their primary focus.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was four," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."
