The World is Invited to Become the Additional Haim Member.
"When are you interviewing the Haim sisters?" a text arrives. "I was hoping to ask if I can become their extra sister."
There is only one problem: I also desires to be the Haims' newest recruit. What's more, we are far from alone. A host of famous admirers have also petitioned for the position.
One thing is obvious a special quality is at play. Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana started their musical journey playing gigs at neighborhood delis with their parents. Presently, they stand as multiple Grammy contenders.
Similar to the greatest groups, they're a tight-knit trio. Their videos repeatedly show them striding in unison down the streets of Los Angeles. On stage, they play with such pure exuberance you can't help but think, "I wish to be a piece of that, too."
"The amount of times on tour that young girls told us and said, 'After your show, I got a guitar'," states Alana, the most junior of the sisters. "That's the greatest honor. That's an award in itself. We have succeeded if we can motivate others to make music."
"So all are welcome to be the honorary Haim sister."
Historic Recognition
The group are speaking from their homes, where they're taking a pause after an extensive tour in for 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 very first all-female band ever in consideration for the award.
"I tune into the announcements every year, so it sort of feels like The Truman Show when your name is read out," says Alana. "I had to call my sisters to say, 'Did I hear this correctly or am I imagining things'?"
The weight of the honor isn't lost on the sisters.
"We really set out to make a rock album this time, so it's a significant step," continues Alana. "Yet we're just appreciative for the pioneers that inspired us."
Heartbreak and Laughter
The album came out of a phase of emotional upheaval. All three sisters were single, and the music explores that strange in-between place where you're happy to be free, but not quite ready to move on.
The themes follow endings and goodbyes. The sisters desire love, but not the kind of love they've got. You can hear them figuring out in real time who they aspire to be.
"That's a perfect description, yes," responds Danielle. "I Quit is essentially a personal statement. You have to actively work on shutting out the outside opinions and saying, 'I couldn't care less what people think'."
Development of Music
That newfound toughness demanded a fresh approach – more raw and powerful than any of the music the band had done before.
For Danielle, who co-produced the album, that started with the drum sound.
"Drums are such a detailed thing, and I focus so intensely about it," she says.
"'Journey of the drum sound' will be the subject of our memoir," jokes Alana. "I always say, our albums won't commence until we find the right drum sound."
Experiences and Shared Camaraderie
The band's honesty inspired the album's marketing, where the sisters revealed some of their personal misadventures.
A former partner ended things with Este over a health consideration. Alana shared a story of travelling to celebrate 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 hope," says Alana. "Therefore to be able to share those stories and hear others tell you more outrageous stories, it's incredible."
A Confident Path
You can clearly sense a shift in the band. Now, Haim are more certain of their place in the rock pantheon.
They're festival headliners, with hit albums and an international fan base.
However the sister act will always be their top priority.
"Me and my siblings have been making music since I was little," says Alana. "It feels as if nothing else that we were destined for. And I'm really fortunate we've reached this point and we're still making music."