The World Are Welcome to Be the Additional Haim Sisters Sister.
"Any idea when you're chatting with the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can be their extra sister."
There's just a single issue: I also desires to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are in plentiful company. Several celebrated admirers have also begged for the position.
One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their family. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy hopefuls.
In the tradition of the best groups, they're a inseparable gang. Their videos often depict them marching in sync down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such unfettered joy you find yourself thinking, "I want to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that fans told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a drum kit'," says Alana, the most junior of the trio. "It is the ultimate honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage people to start a band."
"And thus all is invited to be the fourth member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The band are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an major tour in promoting their new album, I Quit.
They're presently processing the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the first all-woman band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination is deeply felt by the trio.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant milestone," says Alana. "But we're just appreciative for the women that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record came out of a period of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that unique transitional period where you're relieved to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The themes detail endings and farewells. The sisters want love, but not the kind of love they've had. 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 like a mantra. You have to actively work on blocking the criticism and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Development of Sound
That newfound toughness called for a fresh approach – more organic and direct than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Collective Laughter
The band's candor inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal horror stories.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Future
It's not difficult sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
However Haim will consistently be their number one commitment.
"My sisters and I have been playing music since I was little," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."