Everyone Are Welcome to Become the Extra Haim Sister.
"Any idea when you're speaking to Haim?" an inquiry arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
There's just a key snag: The author likewise desires to be Haim's fourth member. What's more, we are not alone. Several famous admirers have openly petitioned for the honor.
The evidence suggests an irresistible appeal is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their career doing sets at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the most iconic ensembles, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos often feature them marching in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. In concert, they jam with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I want to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that fans approached us and said, 'After your show, I bought a bass'," says Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That's the ultimate compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"And thus everyone are welcome to be the honorary member of Haim."
Historic Recognition
The trio are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their new 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 contention for the prize.
"I follow the lists every year, so it almost feels like a surreal movie when your name is called," notes Alana. "I immediately called my sisters to say, 'Did we just hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the nomination isn't lost on the band.
"We truly set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant achievement," continues Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Humour
The record was born from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that odd transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The lyrics track departures and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I love way of putting it, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a slogan. You have to make an effort in blocking the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Music
That recent resilience demanded a fresh approach – more unpolished and direct 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 care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our biography," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Camaraderie
The trio's honesty inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.
One man ended things with Este over a medical consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's therapeutic."
A Confident Path
One can easily sense a shift in the band. Today, Haim are more confident of their position in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
However Haim will always be their number one priority.
"We have been playing music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no alternative that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still kicking."
