Everyone is Encouraged to Join as the Fourth Haim Bandmate.
"Any idea when you're interviewing Haim?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: The author likewise longs to be Haim's newest recruit. And we're far from alone. A host of famous fans have openly petitioned for the position.
It's clear a special quality is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana launched their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multi-time Grammy Award hopefuls.
Similar to the greatest bands, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos frequently feature them striding in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure exuberance you inevitably think, "I wish to be involved in that, too."
"How often on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I got a bass'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the Haim siblings. "That's the ultimate compliment. That is recognition in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate young girls to make music."
"And thus all are welcome to be the fourth Haim sister."
Award Milestone
The group are connecting from home, where they're resting up after an lengthy tour in promoting their latest album, I Quit.
They're presently celebrating the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the first female band ever in contention for the trophy.
"I follow the nominations every year, so it kind of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I hallucinating'?"
The importance of the accolade resonates with the band.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a major step," adds Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the women that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project was born from a time of personal change. All three sisters ended up single, and the music inhabits that unique in-between place where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to move on.
The lyrics track endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they are becoming.
"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a mantra. You have to consciously practice shutting out the criticism and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Style
That developed toughness called for a different sonic direction – more unpolished and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that was founded on the drums.
"The drum sound is such a specific thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the perfect drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Humor
The trio's honesty fueled the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic tales.
Someone broke up with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of flying to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's no light," notes Alana. "Thus to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's incredible."
An Assured Future
It's not difficult sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their place in the music world.
They're major draws, with chart-topping albums and an worldwide following.
Yet the band will consistently be their primary priority.
"We have been playing music since I was four," says Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really grateful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."
