All Fans Are Welcome to Be the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"When are you speaking to the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's additional sibling. Furthermore, we are far from alone. A host of high-profile admirers have openly petitioned for the position.
One thing is obvious something is happening. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their parents. Today, they are multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a close unit. Their music videos frequently show them striding in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless joy you can't help but think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That is the biggest compliment. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"And thus all is invited to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Milestone
The group are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an major tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been in the running for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge milestone," adds Alana. "However we're just appreciative for the pioneers that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project emerged from a phase of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The words detail breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent confidence called for a new sound – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's honesty fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating tales.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend 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 laugh at those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global audience.
Yet Haim will consistently be their primary focus.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've made it and we're still making music."