The World is Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"When are you speaking to the band?" an inquiry pops up. "My request was to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile supporters have publicly begged for the position.
One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos repeatedly feature them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless joy you inevitably think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can motivate others to make music."
"Therefore everyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."
Award Milestone
The group are connecting from a break, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the award.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the nomination isn't lost on the trio.
"We really set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major step," says Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The record was born from a time of transition. All three sisters ended up single, and the music captures that unique liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The words track departures and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to actively work on blocking the noise and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound confidence demanded a different sonic direction – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their dating tales.
A former partner left Este over a health consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an global audience.
But the band will forever be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was a young child," shares 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."