Everyone Are Welcome to Become the Extra Haim Member.
"When are you chatting with the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
However, there remains one problem: The author likewise desires to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're in plentiful company. Multiple high-profile admirers have publicly begged for the role.
It's clear a special quality is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Now they're multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the best bands, they're a close gang. Their music videos repeatedly depict them striding in harmony down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"And thus all is invited to be the next member of Haim."
Historic Nod
The band have called into a break, where they're recovering after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics track endings and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That developed resilience called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating horror stories.
One man left Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of travelling to spend 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," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global audience.
However Haim will always be their top focus.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."