Everyone is Encouraged to Be the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the Haim sisters?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There's just a single issue: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated supporters have publicly petitioned for the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the best bands, they're a tight-knit gang. Their visuals often feature them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such boundless happiness you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the biggest compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to make music."
"So everyone are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The band are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I watch the lists every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the accolade isn't lost on the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge step," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album came out of a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That recent toughness demanded a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Collective Humor
The trio's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal tales.
One man ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Legacy
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide fan base.
But the sister act will consistently be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It's like no other path that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still making music."