Everyone is Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Sister.
"When are you interviewing Haim?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their fourth member."
There's just one problem: I also longs to be the Haims' additional sibling. And we're far from alone. Several famous supporters have publicly coveted the honor.
One thing is obvious something is happening. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career performing shows at small eateries with their family. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award nominees.
Like all the best groups, they're a close trio. Their videos frequently feature them striding in sync down the avenues of Los Angeles. In concert, they perform with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I'd love to be a piece of that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members came up to us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the trio. "That is the greatest compliment. That's an award in itself. We've done our job if we can inspire people to start a band."
"And thus all is invited to be the next part of the family."
Award Recognition
The trio are connecting from a break, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in for their new album, I Quit.
They're currently celebrating the news it's been shortlisted for a top rock honor at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-woman band ever in consideration for the prize.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it kind of feels like The Truman Show when your name is called," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The significance of the honor resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," says Alana. "But we're just thankful for the female artists that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Laughter
The record emerged from a period of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music captures that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not quite ready to let go.
The themes track breakups and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them working out in real life who they want to be.
"I adore description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the criticism and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Evolution of Sound
That newfound confidence called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that began with the drums.
"Drums are such a nuanced thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums don't start until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Laughter
The trio's openness shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters disclosed some of their dating misadventures.
A former partner left Este over a health concern. Alana told a story of travelling to spend 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," explains Alana. "Therefore to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's so amazing."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with successful albums and an worldwide fan base.
Yet the sister act will consistently be their primary commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been performing since I was little," says Alana. "There is no alternative that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still kicking."
