The World is Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The sender also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Several high-profile admirers have also begged for the honor.
It's clear a special quality is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey performing shows at small eateries with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy contenders.
Like all the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their visuals often depict them marching in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Watching you live, I got a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the biggest compliment. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage others to start a band."
"So anyone are welcome to be the next Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The band are speaking from a break, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the award.
"I watch the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the pioneers that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record came out of a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The words follow breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they aspire to be.
"I adore description, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That developed toughness called for a new sound – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's openness inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their dating horror stories.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Future
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an international audience.
However the band will always be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've made it and we're still making music."
