Everyone is Encouraged to Be the Extra Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the band?" a message reads. "My request was to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a key snag: The sender also longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple celebrated fans have openly coveted the role.
It's clear something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career playing gigs at local delicatessens with their family. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the most iconic groups, they're a close trio. Their visuals frequently show them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "That is the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to make music."
"So everyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."
Award Recognition
The trio have called into their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammys – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The weight of the accolade is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a huge milestone," continues Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the female artists that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The album was born from a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The themes follow departures and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they aspire to be.
"I adore summary, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That newfound resilience called for a new sound – more organic and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Confident Future
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more certain of their place in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with chart-topping albums and an international audience.
Yet the sister act will always be their number one commitment.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still making music."