The World is Welcome to Join as the Additional Haim Member.
"When are you interviewing Haim?" a message pops up. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are not alone. A host of high-profile fans have openly begged for the honor.
It's clear something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career doing sets at local delicatessens with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the best ensembles, they're a tight-knit unit. Their visuals repeatedly depict them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they jam with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'After your show, I picked up a drum kit'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That is the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate others to make music."
"And thus anyone gets an invitation to be the next Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The trio have called into a break, where they're resting up after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now processing the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in consideration for the trophy.
"I tune into the lists every year, so it almost feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is read out," says Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the honor is deeply felt by the trio.
"We deliberately set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album was born from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music explores that strange liminal space where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to let go.
The themes detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they are becoming.
"That's a perfect summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Evolution of Music
That newfound confidence required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than any of the music 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 focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's candor inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their romantic tales.
Someone ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
It's not difficult sense a evolution in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their position in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an international following.
Yet Haim will consistently be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," shares Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still making music."