All Fans Are Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "My request was to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated admirers have also coveted the position.
The evidence suggests a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their path performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Today, they are repeated Grammy nominees.
Similar to the best groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos often depict them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such unfettered happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That is the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage others to start a band."
"Therefore anyone is invited to be the next Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the nomination is deeply felt by the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The project was born from a period of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The words track departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That recent confidence required a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our biography," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The trio's honesty fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
Someone left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Future
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.
But Haim will forever be their top priority.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still kicking."