Everyone Are Welcome to Become the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
However, there remains one problem: The sender also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Multiple celebrated supporters have also begged for the honor.
The evidence suggests something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career playing gigs at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy contenders.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a close gang. Their visuals repeatedly depict them walking in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered happiness you can't help but think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to make music."
"Therefore everyone gets an invitation to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Milestone
The group are speaking from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I imagining things'?"
The significance of the accolade is deeply felt by the band.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The album emerged from a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics track departures and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the kind of love they've had. You can hear them determining in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That newfound resilience demanded a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal tales.
A former partner left Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Future
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an global following.
But the sister act will always be their primary commitment.
"We have been making music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."