The World Are Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Member.
"When are you interviewing Haim?" a text reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just one problem: I also longs to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated supporters have also begged for the role.
The evidence suggests something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy contenders.
Similar to the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable trio. Their videos repeatedly feature them marching in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to make music."
"So everyone is invited to be the honorary member of Haim."
Historic Nod
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the accolade resonates with the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The record emerged from a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The lyrics follow endings and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in real time who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to make an effort in ignoring the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That recent toughness demanded a new sound – more unpolished and powerful 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 nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Humor
The trio's openness fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man left Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."
An Assured Path
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global audience.
Yet Haim will always be their number one commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."
