Everyone is Invited to Become the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
However, there remains a single issue: I also longs to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're far from alone. Multiple celebrated fans have also coveted the role.
The evidence suggests something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career performing shows at small eateries with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a tight-knit gang. Their music videos repeatedly feature them marching in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such boundless joy you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," states Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the greatest honour. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire people to form a group."
"So all is invited to be the honorary Haim sister."
Award Recognition
The trio are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," notes Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the pioneers that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The album came out of a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd in-between place where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The lyrics follow breakups and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound confidence required a new sound – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our memoir," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The trio's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," notes Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more certain of their standing in the music world.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international fan base.
However the sister act will forever be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was four," says Alana. "There is no other path that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still going strong."
