All Fans Are Invited to Become the Additional Haim Bandmate.
"Do you know when you'll be speaking to Haim?" a text pops up. "I wanted to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There's just a single issue: I also desires to be the Haims' fourth member. And we're far from alone. Several celebrated admirers have openly coveted the honor.
It's clear an irresistible appeal is going on. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their family. Now they're multi-time Grammy contenders.
Like all the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable unit. Their videos often show them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, they play with such unfettered exuberance you find yourself thinking, "I'd love to be involved in that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Watching you live, I picked up a guitar'," remarks Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the biggest honor. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to start a band."
"So all is invited to be the next member of Haim."
Grammy Nod
The group are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in promoting their fourth album, I Quit.
They're right now reeling from the news it's been nominated for a top rock honor at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the very first all-female band ever in contention for the prize.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is announced," explains Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this right or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the accolade resonates with the sisters.
"We deliberately set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major achievement," adds Alana. "But we're just grateful for the women that came before us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project emerged from a time of personal change. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that strange transitional period where you're glad to be free, but not entirely ready to start anew.
The themes follow breakups and partings. The sisters seek love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them determining in the moment who they aspire to be.
"I love description, yes," agrees Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a slogan. You have to consciously practice blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Music
That developed resilience called for a different sonic direction – more organic and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that started with the drums.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she emphasizes.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our book," quips Alana. "I always say, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Laughter
The band's honesty shaped the album's promotional campaign, where the sisters revealed some of their romantic misadventures.
Someone ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana told a story of travelling to spend New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"Experiencing these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's no light," explains Alana. "So to be able to share those stories and have them tell you wilder stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
One can easily sense a shift in the band. These days, Haim are more assured of their standing in the music world.
They're top-billed acts, with hit albums and an worldwide following.
Yet Haim will consistently be their top focus.
"My sisters and I have been making music since I was little," concludes Alana. "It's like nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've reached this point and we're still going strong."