The World Are Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have openly begged for the honor.
One thing is obvious an irresistible appeal is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a close unit. Their videos repeatedly show them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the ultimate honor. That's an award in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire people to form a group."
"And thus all is invited to be the fourth Haim sister."
Historic Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the nomination is deeply felt by the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant milestone," adds Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The words track endings and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.
"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to make an effort in shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That newfound confidence called for a new sound – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic misadventures.
A former partner ended things with Este over a medical concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide audience.
However Haim will consistently be their primary focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," shares Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."