All Fans Are Invited to Be the Additional Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. Furthermore, we are not alone. Multiple high-profile supporters have also begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy nominees.
Like all the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable gang. Their visuals often feature them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to form a group."
"So all gets an invitation to be the next part of the family."
Historic Nod
The trio have called into their homes, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in for their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys β with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the honor resonates with the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that unique in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words follow departures and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"I adore description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to consciously practice ignoring the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That newfound toughness required a new sound β more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced 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 name of our biography," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The band's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.
Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
But the sister act will consistently be their primary priority.
"We have been making music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."