Everyone Are Invited to Become the Additional Haim Sister.
"When are you speaking to the Haim sisters?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. A host of celebrated supporters have also begged for the position.
The evidence suggests a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a close trio. Their videos frequently feature them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such unfettered 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, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the trio. "That's the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire young girls to start a band."
"So all are welcome to be the next part of the family."
Grammy Milestone
The trio are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in consideration for the award.
"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the nomination is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the female artists that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The album emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The themes follow departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound resilience called for a new sound – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with 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 name of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Path
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more confident of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global following.
However the band will always be their primary commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was four," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."