The World Are Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Member.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the band?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There's just a key snag: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several high-profile admirers have publicly petitioned for the position.
It's clear something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy contenders.
Like all the most iconic ensembles, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos often depict them striding in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered exuberance you inevitably think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'After your show, I got a bass'," says Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage others to start a band."
"And thus all is invited to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're resting up after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the honor resonates with the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The album was born from a time of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The themes follow endings and farewells. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in real life who they aspire to be.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Style
That newfound confidence demanded a new sound – more unpolished and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that began with the drums.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Collective Laughter
The band's candor fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.
One man left Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an international fan base.
Yet the sister act will forever be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was four," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still making music."
