The World Are Welcome to Join as the Additional Haim Sister.
"When are you speaking to the band?" a message arrives. "My request was to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just one problem: The author likewise wants to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are not alone. Multiple celebrated fans have openly petitioned for the role.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their path playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos often depict them striding in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such boundless exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that young girls came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire others to start a band."
"Therefore anyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."
Award Nod
The trio are connecting from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-woman band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade isn't lost on the band.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the female artists that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The words detail breakups and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in the moment who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That recent toughness required a fresh approach – more raw and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their dating horror stories.
A former partner left Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Legacy
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international audience.
But the sister act will forever be their primary focus.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was a young child," says Alana. "It feels as if no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still kicking."