The World Are Encouraged to Join as the Fourth Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
However, there remains one problem: The sender also wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. Furthermore, we are not alone. A host of high-profile supporters have also petitioned for the honor.
One thing is obvious something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their path doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award contenders.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their videos repeatedly show them walking in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they jam with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honour. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"Therefore everyone is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The band are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I watch 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 I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The project was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The words follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've had. You can hear them working out in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to consciously practice shutting out the noise and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That recent resilience demanded a different sonic direction – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The band's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the industry.
They're top-billed acts, with chart-topping albums and an international fan base.
However the band will forever be their number one priority.
"We have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
