The World is Invited to Become the Fourth Haim Sister.
"Do you know when you'll be interviewing the Haim sisters?" a message arrives. "I wanted to ask if I can become their fourth member."
However, there remains one problem: The author likewise desires to be the Haims' fourth member. What's more, we are in plentiful company. A host of celebrated supporters have openly petitioned for the role.
One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana began their career performing shows at local delicatessens with their parents. Today, they are repeated Grammy Award contenders.
In the tradition of the best bands, they're a inseparable gang. Their music videos frequently feature them marching in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. In concert, 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 fans told us and said, 'Seeing you perform, I bought a guitar'," says Alana, the youngest of the sisters. "That's the ultimate honor. It is a prize in itself. Our mission is accomplished if we can motivate young girls to form a group."
"And thus anyone are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Milestone
The trio are connecting from home, where they're recovering after an lengthy tour in support of their new album, I Quit.
They're currently reeling from the news it's been shortlisted for best rock album at the Grammys – with Haim the pioneering all-female band ever in the running for the award.
"I watch the lists every year, so it kind of feels like a surreal movie when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Am I hearing this correctly or am I dreaming'?"
The importance of the honor isn't lost on the band.
"We really set out to make a guitar-driven album this time, so it's a significant achievement," says Alana. "Yet we're just grateful for the women that inspired us."
Personal Turmoil and Laughter
The project came out of a period of transition. All three sisters were single, and the music captures that strange transitional period where you're happy to be free, but not yet ready to start anew.
The lyrics track departures and goodbyes. The sisters want love, but not the relationships they've had. You can hear them determining in real time who they want to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is kind of like a mantra. You have to actively work on blocking the noise and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Refinement of Style
That newfound confidence demanded a new sound – more organic and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who helped produce the album, that was founded on the percussion.
"The drum sound is such a detailed thing, and I care so much about it," she states.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the name of our memoir," laughs Alana. "Our motto is, our albums cannot begin until we find the right drum sound."
Stories and Shared Camaraderie
The trio's candor fueled the album's marketing, where the sisters shared some of their personal tales.
One man left Este over a medical consideration. Alana recalled a story of flying to celebrate New Year's Eve with someone, only to receive a friendly slap at midnight.
"During these heartbreaks, you just feel like there's only darkness," says Alana. "So to be able to laugh at those stories and hear others tell you wilder stories, it's so amazing."
A Secure Path
You can clearly sense a change in the band. Today, Haim are more assured of their standing in the industry.
They're festival headliners, with successful albums and an global audience.
Yet the band will consistently be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been playing music since I was little," concludes Alana. "There is nothing else that we were supposed to do. And I'm really thankful we've made it and we're still kicking."
