All Fans is Invited to Join as the Fourth Haim Sisters Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing Haim?" a text pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
However, there remains a single issue: The sender also longs to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several famous supporters have openly petitioned for the honor.
It's clear something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the best groups, they're a tight-knit unit. Their visuals frequently depict them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the greatest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to form a group."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the fourth member of Haim."
Award Nod
The group have called into a break, where they're recovering after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words track breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in real life who they are becoming.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Style
That recent confidence demanded a fresh approach – more raw and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The band's openness fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their personal tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana told 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," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
Yet the sister act will consistently be their primary commitment.
"We have been playing music since I was four," concludes Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still making music."
