All Fans Are Welcome to Become the Fourth Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with Haim?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."
However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise wants to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are not alone. Multiple high-profile fans have publicly begged for the position.
It's clear something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy contenders.
Similar to the best bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos often depict them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such unfettered joy you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the ultimate honor. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."
"And thus everyone is invited to be the next member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The group are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the award.
"I follow the lists every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the nomination isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge step," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The album came out of a time of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The lyrics track endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Music
That developed confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Humor
The band's candor inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their position in the music world.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide fan base.
Yet the band will consistently be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was four," shares Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."
