Everyone is Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the band?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There is only one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. And we're far from alone. A host of celebrated supporters have openly petitioned for the honor.
The evidence suggests a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their path playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy contenders.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a close gang. Their videos often depict them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such pure joy you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that fans came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honor. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"And thus all are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Award Recognition
The group are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the accolade resonates with the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the female artists that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that unique transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics follow departures and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound resilience demanded a fresh approach – more unpolished and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's openness shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man left Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Legacy
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their place in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global fan base.
Yet the band will forever be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."
