All Fans is Encouraged to Become the Additional Haim Sisters Bandmate.
"When are you interviewing the band?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can join as their extra sister."
However, there remains one problem: The author likewise wants to be Haim's newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have also coveted the role.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at small eateries with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy hopefuls.
Like all the best bands, they're a inseparable unit. Their visuals repeatedly depict them marching in harmony down the avenues of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless happiness you find yourself thinking, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls approached us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the biggest honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire young girls to form a group."
"So anyone is invited to be the next member of Haim."
Award Milestone
The group are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for best rock album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in the running for the trophy.
"I watch the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is announced," says Alana. "I needed to phone 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 truly set out to make a rock record this time, so it's a major milestone," says Alana. "But we're just grateful for the female artists that paved the way."
Personal Turmoil and Candor
The project was born from a time of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The words detail breakups and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've experienced. You can hear them working out in real time who they want to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to make an effort in shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent confidence called for a different sonic direction – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who worked on producing the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Anecdotes and Shared Camaraderie
The band's candor inspired the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters shared some of their personal horror stories.
One man left Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no light," says Alana. "Thus to be able to find humor in those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
One can easily sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an global following.
Yet the band will consistently be their top focus.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "It's like no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really grateful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."
