Everyone is Invited to Be the Extra Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just one problem: I also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple famous fans have openly coveted the role.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a close unit. Their visuals frequently depict them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That is the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to form a group."
"So anyone are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge achievement," says Alana. "However we're just thankful for the female artists that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The record was born from a time of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics follow endings and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That newfound resilience called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The band's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.
One man broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their position in the music world.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an worldwide audience.
Yet the band will always be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."