The World Are Welcome to Join as the Extra Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a message pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can be their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise longs to be Haim's additional sibling. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of celebrated fans have also begged for the position.
It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana started their path performing shows at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy Award nominees.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals repeatedly feature them walking in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure joy you can't help but think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members told us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "It is the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can encourage young girls to start a band."
"And thus anyone are welcome to be the next part of the family."
Grammy Milestone
The trio are speaking from a break, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the honor resonates with the trio.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," adds Alana. "But we're just thankful for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The project was born from a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The words track departures and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That developed toughness demanded a fresh approach – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that started with the drums.
"Percussion is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our book," laughs Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the ideal drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The band's candor shaped the album's rollout, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic tales.
A former partner left Este over a health concern. Alana recalled 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 light," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to laugh at those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more confident of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an global audience.
Yet the band will always be their top priority.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was four," says Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still making music."