All Fans is Invited to Be the Fourth Haim Sisters Member.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
However, there remains a key snag: I also desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are far from alone. Several high-profile fans have also begged for the position.
The evidence suggests a special quality is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Now they're repeated Grammy nominees.
In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their visuals repeatedly depict them marching in unison down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such pure exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I want to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the greatest honor. It is a prize in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage others to start a band."
"Therefore everyone are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."
Grammy Nod
The trio have called into a break, where they're taking a pause after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're right now celebrating the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first female band ever in the running for the prize.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant step," says Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the women that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The album came out of a phase of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music inhabits that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The themes track breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in real life who they aspire to be.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That developed confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and direct than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our book," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The band's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their dating tales.
A former partner broke up with Este over a medical concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these breakups, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
An Assured Legacy
You can clearly sense a evolution in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
But Haim will always be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," shares Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."