Everyone Are Invited to Become the Extra Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're interviewing the band?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just one problem: I also wants to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. Several celebrated supporters have publicly coveted the position.
The evidence suggests something is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as repeated Grammy nominees.
In the tradition of the greatest groups, they're a inseparable trio. Their visuals repeatedly depict them walking in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such pure exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "It is the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. We have succeeded if we can inspire young girls to make music."
"So all are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Grammy Milestone
The group are speaking from home, where they're recovering after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the award.
"I follow the lists every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The weight of the honor isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major achievement," continues Alana. "However we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The record came out of a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to start anew.
The lyrics track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them working out in real time who they aspire to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to actively work on shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I don't give what people think'."
Evolution of Style
That recent resilience required a fresh approach – more organic and powerful than anything the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the percussion.
"Drums are such a specific thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the perfect drum sound."
Stories and Collective Camaraderie
The band's candor shaped the album's marketing, where the sisters disclosed some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner left Este over a medical consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's incredible."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their standing in the rock pantheon.
They're major draws, with hit albums and an international fan base.
Yet Haim will always be their top priority.
"We have been making music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were meant to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still making music."
