Everyone Are Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the band?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There is only one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. Multiple famous admirers have publicly petitioned for the role.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos frequently feature them walking in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire people to start a band."
"And thus all gets an invitation to be the honorary part of the family."
Historic Milestone
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The project came out of a phase of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that unique transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The words track breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've experienced. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I love description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development 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 worked on producing the album, that began with the drums.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The trio's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.
Someone broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Path
One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
However the sister act will forever be their top priority.
"We have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still kicking."