All Fans is Welcome to Be the Additional Haim Member.
"Any idea when you're chatting with Haim?" a text arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise longs to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are in plentiful company. A host of famous admirers have also petitioned for the position.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multi-time Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the greatest ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their music videos frequently show them walking in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. On stage, they perform with such pure happiness you find yourself thinking, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "It is the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate others to start a band."
"Therefore all are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been in the running for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this right or am I hallucinating'?"
The significance of the accolade is deeply felt by the sisters.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a huge step," says Alana. "However we're just thankful for the women that inspired us."
Emotional Upheaval and Candor
The album was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that odd liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The words follow departures and farewells. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real life who they are becoming.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a personal statement. You have to make an effort in ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Refinement of Sound
That newfound resilience demanded a new sound – more unpolished and immediate than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's candor fueled the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic misadventures.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you even crazier stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an global audience.
However Haim will consistently be their number one priority.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," shares Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still going strong."