The World is Invited to Become the Extra Haim Sisters Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can join as their newest bandmate."
There is only a key snag: I also wants to be Haim's newest recruit. Furthermore, we are far from alone. Multiple high-profile admirers have openly coveted the position.
It's clear something is at play. The siblings Este, Danielle and Alana began their musical journey doing sets at small eateries with their family. Today, they are repeated Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their music videos frequently show them walking in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. During performances, they play with such pure joy you can't help but think, "I'd love to be part of that, too."
"The numerous instances on tour that audience members approached us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a bass'," remarks Alana, the youngest of the Haim siblings. "It is the biggest honor. That is recognition in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can inspire others to form a group."
"So everyone are welcome to be the honorary part of the family."
Historic Recognition
The group are speaking from home, where they're taking a pause after an lengthy tour in for their fourth album, I Quit.
They're currently processing 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 award.
"I tune into the nominations every year, so it sort of feels like an out-of-body experience when your name is called," notes Alana. "I needed to phone my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the nomination resonates with the band.
"We truly set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a huge milestone," says Alana. "However we're just thankful for the pioneers that came before us."
Heartbreak and Candor
The project emerged from a phase of transition. All three sisters found themselves single, and the music explores that unique in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to move on.
The themes detail breakups and partings. The sisters desire love, but not the specific love they've experienced. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they want to be.
"I adore way of putting it, yes," says Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'It doesn't matter to me what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound confidence called for a new sound – more raw and immediate than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the drum sound.
"The drum sound is such a nuanced thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the title of our biography," quips Alana. "I've said it, our albums won't commence until we find the perfect drum sound."
Anecdotes and Collective Laughter
The trio's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their romantic horror stories.
One man broke up with Este over a health concern. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these breakups, you just feel like there's no hope," says Alana. "So to be able to find humor in those stories and hear others tell you even crazier stories, it's therapeutic."
A Secure Legacy
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more assured of their position in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an worldwide following.
But the band will always be their top commitment.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was a young child," concludes Alana. "There is no other path that we were meant to do. And I'm really fortunate we've gotten here and we're still kicking."