All Fans is Invited to Be the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the band?" a text pops up. "My request was to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The author likewise wants to be Haim's additional sibling. And we're in plentiful company. Multiple famous supporters have also petitioned for the role.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the most iconic groups, they're a tight-knit gang. Their videos often show them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire young girls to make music."
"So anyone is invited to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Milestone
The band are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," adds Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record was born from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The lyrics track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound toughness called for a new sound – more unpolished and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the percussion.
"Percussion is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Laughter
The trio's honesty shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
Someone ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a casual gesture at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international audience.
But Haim will forever be their top commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."