The World Are Encouraged to Become the Fourth Haim Member.
"When are you interviewing the band?" a message reads. "I was hoping to ask if I can be their fourth member."
However, there remains a key snag: The author likewise longs to be the Haims' newest recruit. Furthermore, we are not alone. A host of celebrated fans have publicly petitioned for the position.
It's clear something is going on. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their career playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Today, they are multiple Grammy Award nominees.
In the tradition of the most iconic bands, they're a inseparable trio. Their videos frequently depict them marching in harmony down the roads of Los Angeles. During performances, they perform with such boundless exuberance you can't help but think, "I want to be part of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that audience members told us and said, 'Watching you live, I bought a drum kit'," states Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "It is the greatest honour. That is recognition in itself. We've done our job if we can encourage young girls to make music."
"So everyone are welcome to be the next member of Haim."
Award Nod
The group are connecting from their homes, where they're recovering after an major tour in support of their fourth album, I Quit.
They're presently reeling from the news it's been in the running for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards – with Haim the pioneering female band ever in the running for the award.
"I tune into 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 dreaming'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the sisters.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a major step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just thankful for the pioneers that paved the way."
Emotional Upheaval and Humour
The album emerged from a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music inhabits that unique liminal space where you're relieved to be free, but not entirely ready to let go.
The lyrics detail breakups and partings. The sisters want love, but not the specific love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in the moment who they want to be.
"I love summary, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is like a personal statement. You have to consciously practice ignoring the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Sound
That recent toughness demanded a fresh approach – 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.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I am so passionate about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I've said it, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's openness inspired the album's rollout, where the sisters shared some of their personal horror stories.
One man ended things with Este over a health concern. Alana shared a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a high five at midnight.
"When you're going through these setbacks, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Future
One can easily sense a change in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their standing in the industry.
They're major draws, with successful albums and an international audience.
But the sister act will consistently be their primary commitment.
"My sisters and I have been performing since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "It feels as if no alternative that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've gotten here and we're still kicking."
