Everyone is Encouraged to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you chatting with the band?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their newest bandmate."
There's just a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several high-profile supporters have also begged for the role.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.
Like all the greatest ensembles, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals repeatedly feature them marching in sync down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The trio are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The importance of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that came before us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The record was born from a time of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that odd liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics detail endings and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a mantra. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Music
That developed confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Laughter
The trio's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
One man broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate 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 hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Path
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their standing in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an global fan base.
However the sister act will always be their primary priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still kicking."