The World Are Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Member.
"When are you chatting with the band?" an inquiry pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just one problem: The sender also wants to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Multiple high-profile fans have publicly petitioned for the role.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy contenders.
Like all the best bands, they're a close trio. Their music videos repeatedly feature them walking in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such boundless joy you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a guitar'," states Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest compliment. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to start a band."
"Therefore anyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Grammy Recognition
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album emerged from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that strange liminal space where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The themes detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"I adore summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Sound
That newfound toughness demanded a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Percussion is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The band's openness shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner left Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."
An Assured Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their position in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide fan base.
Yet the band will forever be their number one commitment.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was a young child," says Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still going strong."