All Fans Are Encouraged to Become the Additional Haim Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" an inquiry reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only a single issue: The sender also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. What's more, we are not alone. A host of celebrated fans have openly petitioned for the position.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey performing shows at local delicatessens with their family. Now they're multiple Grammy nominees.
Similar to the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos frequently depict them striding in unison down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered happiness you inevitably think, "I wish to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That is the biggest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can encourage people to start a band."
"And thus everyone is invited to be the fourth part of the family."
Historic Nod
The trio are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in support of their latest album, I Quit.
They're currently processing the news it's been shortlisted for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first all-female band ever in the running for the award.
"I follow the announcements every year, so it almost feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the honor isn't lost on the trio.
"We truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a significant achievement," adds Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the pioneers that paved the way."
Heartbreak and Candor
The album emerged from a time of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that strange in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The themes track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I adore summary, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That developed confidence demanded a new sound – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," quips Alana. "Our motto is, our albums won't commence until we find the ideal drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their romantic horror stories.
A former partner broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," explains Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."
An Assured Future
One can easily sense a evolution in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an global fan base.
Yet Haim will forever be their primary focus.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was little," shares Alana. "There is nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still going strong."